How to grow Ligusticum for high yields? Detailed explanation of cultivation techniques

Ligusticum, also known as fragrant Ligusticum, Liao Ligusticum. Its underground rhizome is used as medicine, and it has effects such as dispelling wind and dispersing cold, and relieving pain. It mainly treats wind-cold common cold, vertex headache, and other conditions.

Morphological characteristics

1. Ligusticum sinense is a perennial herbaceous plant of the Apiaceae family. The rhizome is irregularly block-shaped, with many fibrous roots. The stem is erect, cylindrical, and hollow. The leaves are alternate, 2-3 times ternately pinnately divided; the base is swollen into a sheath-like shape and clasps the stem; the compound umbels are mostly terminal, the involucral bracts are linear and covered with short pubescence; the umbellules have many flowers; petals 5, white, elliptical to obovate; stamens 5, filaments curved inward; styles 2, stylopodium conical. The schizocarp is ovoid.

2. Ligusticum jeholense. The main differences between this species and Ligusticum sinense are: the rhizome is short and small; the roots are bar-shaped, often forked, and dark brown on the surface. The stem is purplish, branched in the upper part. The outline of the stem leaves is broadly ovate, 2-3 times ternately pinnately parted; the compound umbels have short pubescence, involucral bracts 2, caducous; the stylopodium is raised, flatly conical, shorter than the fruit. The schizocarp is elliptical.

I. Growth habits

Ligusticum prefers a cool, humid climate. It is resistant to severe cold but afraid of high temperatures and waterlogging, and avoids continuous cropping. It has low requirements for soil, but deep, loose, fertile sandy loam rich in organic matter is best. Heavy clay, saline-alkali land, and low-lying land are not easy to plant.

II. Land preparation and fertilization

Choose a field with high terrain and good drainage and cultivate it carefully. In combination with land preparation, apply sufficient base fertilizer: 3000 kg of farmyard manure, 20 kg of urea, and 50 kg of phosphate and potassium fertilizer per mu. Then make beds and wait for sowing.

III. Sowing

Ligusticum is propagated by seeds and rhizomes. Sowing periods include spring sowing and autumn sowing. Spring sowing is around Qingming, and autumn sowing is before the soil freezes. Seed propagation: before sowing, first open shallow furrows on the prepared bed surface with a drill, then evenly scatter the seeds into the furrows, cover with soil, and water to preserve moisture so as to promote emergence. The sowing rate is 2 kg per mu. Root bud propagation: first dig out the Ligusticum and divide it into several plants. Then plant them on the prepared bed surface at a row spacing of 15×12 cm. Water to preserve moisture so as to promote survival.

IV. Field management

After the Ligusticum seedlings are fully established, attention should be paid to cultivating and weeding. Water frequently in dry weather, and drain promptly in rainy weather. Around the Beginning of Autumn, the underground rhizome enters its expansion period, and one topdressing should be applied: 10 kg of urea and 10 kg of potassium dihydrogen phosphate per mu. In winter, clean the field and spread a layer of farmyard manure on the bed surface.

V. Pest and disease control

The main disease of Ligusticum is powdery mildew, which can be controlled with triadimefon in the early stage of the disease. For underground pests, use poison bait to trap and kill them.

VI. Harvesting and processing

Ligusticum propagated by seeds must grow for 2—3 years before it can be harvested. Ligusticum propagated by rhizomes is harvested after growing for 1—2 years. When the aboveground stems and leaves wither after autumn, first cut off the aboveground parts, then dig out the underground rhizomes, remove the soil completely, and after sun-drying or oven-drying, they can be sold as medicine. The yield per mu is 250 kg.