Detailed Explanation of Key Points for High-Yield Cultivation Techniques of Solanum lyratum

Solanum lyratum, also known as Guimu Cao, Baimao Teng, Maoxian Liguang, Jinxian Lvmaogui, etc. The whole plant and roots are used medicinally, with effects of clearing heat and removing dampness, detoxifying and reducing swelling, and anti-cancer properties. It mainly treats colds and fever, icteric hepatitis, cholecystitis, gallstones, cervical erosion, and nephritic edema, and has certain therapeutic effects especially on cervical cancer, lung cancer, and vocal cord cancer. It is mainly produced in Jiangsu, Zhejiang, Anhui and other provinces and regions.

Morphological characteristics: It is a perennial trailing semi-shrub of the Solanaceae family. The stem reaches up to 5 cm, woody at the base, herbaceous in the upper part, with fine hairs. Leaves are alternate; the upper leaves are mostly halberd-shaped with 3 lobes or pinnately multi-lobed; the lower leaves are rectangular or ovate-rectangular, with a heart-shaped base, pointed apex, and entire margin, 4-9 cm long and 2-5 cm wide, green on the upper surface and lighter beneath, with fine hairs scattered on both surfaces, denser along the veins; petioles are 2-3.5 cm long, with fine hairs. Cymes are borne at the branch tips or laterally opposite the leaves; branchlets, pedicels and flowers are all densely covered with long soft hairs, and pedicels are slender; the calyx is funnel-shaped with 5 ovate sepals; the corolla is white with 5 lobes reflexed downward from the base, 5-6 mm long, ovate or oblong-lanceolate, with pointed tips; 5 stamens are inserted at the mouth of the corolla tube, with short and flattened filaments, connate at the base; 1 pistil, ovary ovate, style slender, stigma hemispherical. Berries are ovate or spherical, initially green, later turning red to black, 6-10 mm in diameter. Seeds are white and flattened-round.

I. Growth Habits

Solanum lyratum prefers a warm and humid environment, is drought-tolerant and cold-tolerant, but fears waterlogging. 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 suitable for planting.

II. Land Preparation and Fertilization

Choose fields with high terrain and good drainage, and cultivate carefully. During land preparation, apply sufficient base fertilizer: 5000 kg of farmyard manure, 20 kg of urea, and 50 kg of phosphorus-potassium fertilizer per mu. Then make raised beds 1.5 m wide and wait for sowing.

III. Sowing

Solanum lyratum is propagated by seeds, carried out in two steps: seedling raising and transplanting. It can also be propagated by cuttings and division. The sowing period is divided into spring sowing and autumn sowing; spring sowing is around Qingming, and autumn sowing is before the soil freezes. Seedling raising: before sowing, first use a hoe to open shallow furrows on the prepared bed surface, then evenly scatter the seeds into the furrows, cover with soil and water to preserve moisture, so as to promote emergence. After the seedlings are fully established, strengthen field management, and after 1 year of cultivation, they can be transplanted. Transplanting: transplant the 1-year-old Solanum lyratum seedlings onto the prepared bed surface at a row spacing of 50×10 cm. Water to preserve moisture, so as to promote survival. Cutting propagation: select 1-2 year old robust, pest-free, non-lignified branches, take the middle section, cut into 20 cm cuttings, remove the lower leaves, soak in ABT rooting powder solution, then insert obliquely into the prepared bed surface at a row spacing of 40×10 cm, leaving one third exposed above the ground. Water frequently to preserve moisture, so as to promote survival. Division propagation: in autumn, dig the underground roots of the plants until exposed at the soil surface, cut the root bark, and cover with soil. New shoots will sprout the following spring. Then dig them out with roots and transplant.

IV. Field Management

After the Solanum lyratum seedlings are fully established, attention should be paid to intertillage and weeding. Water frequently during dry weather and drain promptly during rainy weather. When the seedlings are 30 cm tall, set up supports between the rows to let the stems and vines climb, so as to facilitate ventilation and light penetration. After the first harvest, immediately apply a topdressing once: 10 kg of urea and 10 kg of potassium dihydrogen phosphate per mu.

V. Pest and Disease Control

Solanum lyratum has few diseases; if found, control them promptly by conventional methods. The main pests include red spider mites, which can be controlled with propargite. Aphids can be controlled with omethoate. Underground pests can be trapped and killed with phoxim bait.

VI. Harvesting and Processing

Solanum lyratum is harvested in summer and autumn when the stems and leaves grow vigorously. It is harvested twice a year. Cut the stems and leaves of Solanum lyratum at the root, dry them in the sun, and they can be sold for medicinal use. After autumn, after the second harvest of stems and leaves, dig out the underground roots, remove the soil completely, dry them in the sun, and they can be used medicinally as well. The yield per mu is 200 kg of stems and leaves and 300 kg of roots.