Detailed Explanation of the Key Points of Standardized Cultivation Techniques for Figwort (Scrophularia ningpoensis)
Figwort is the dried root of the Scrophulariaceae plant Scrophularia ningpoensis, also known as Yuanshen, Zhejiang Figwort, and Black Ginseng. It is a perennial herb, with the root used as medicine. It is slightly cold in nature and sweet, bitter, and salty in taste. It has the functions of nourishing yin and reducing fire, moistening dryness and promoting fluid production, and detoxifying and soothing the throat. It is used to treat conditions such as yin deficiency with hyperactive fire, restlessness and insomnia, tidal fever, night sweats, sore and swollen throat, lymphatic tuberculosis, carbuncles and sores, and constipation due to fluid deficiency. It is mainly produced in various areas along the Yangtze River basin, and is now cultivated in Zhejiang, Sichuan, Jiangsu, Anhui, Hubei, and the northeastern provinces. At present, figwort has ended its years-long period of low prices. Its usage has risen from 4,000 tons in previous years to 5,000 tons, while the market price has now risen to 8-9 yuan/kg, making it a popular variety for medicinal herb growers to plant this year, and also the preferred variety for three-dimensional understory planting.
Figwort prefers a warm and humid climate. When the temperature reaches 12°C, it begins to sprout. At 20°C-27°C, the stems and leaves grow and develop relatively quickly. Only after the peak of aboveground growth and development does root growth gradually accelerate. 21°C-26°C is the most suitable period for root growth and development, during which the roots noticeably thicken and gain weight. In August, the aboveground parts wither, and the growth period is 220-240 days. The suitable temperature for seed germination is 30°C, but the germination rate is relatively low. The seed lifespan is l-2 years, so production mostly uses daughter buds (root buds) for propagation, which not only grows quickly but is also easy to manage.
Site Selection and Land Preparation: Figwort is a deep-rooted plant and has low requirements for soil. It can be planted in plains, hills, and low mountain slopes. However, it is best to plant it in light loam or medium loam with deep soil, a sunny aspect, loose and fertile texture, and good drainage. Continuous cropping is avoided. The previous crop is best as a leguminous or grass-family crop, and it is not suitable to rotate with medicinal herbs such as Atractylodes macrocephala. After the previous crop is harvested, plow deeply and apply sufficient base fertilizer at the same time, applying 1000 kg of decomposed farmyard manure per mu, and appropriately increasing the application of phosphorus and potassium fertilizers. After breaking up the soil finely and raking it level, make beds.
Variety Selection: From the perspective of planting regions, there are four types of figwort: Zhejiang Figwort, Sichuan Figwort, Northern Figwort, and North China Figwort. Northern Figwort is distributed in Liaoning, Jilin, and other provinces, while North China Figwort is distributed in Hebei and other places and is wild. Zhejiang Figwort has thick and plump roots, high yield, and good quality. In production, the Zheyou No. 1 variety is mostly used as the best.
Propagation Method: Mainly propagated by daughter buds, that is, using rhizomes with daughter buds for propagation. In the south, winter planting is mostly used, and spring planting can also be used, from mid-to-late December to early-to-mid January or February of the following year. In the north, planting from early-to-mid February to April is best. Early planting results in well-developed roots, robust plants, and high yield. Before planting, select disease-free, thick, and white daughter buds as seeds. It is best to first soak them in a 1000-fold solution of 50% Tuzet for 5 minutes, then plant after drying. Open holes at a row spacing of 40-50 cm and a plant spacing of 35-40 cm, place one daughter bud in each hole with the bud facing upward, and cover with about 3 cm of soil.