How to Grow Bupleurum for High Yields? Key Cultivation Techniques Explained

Bupleurum, also known as Zhuye Chaihu, Beichaihu, Nanchaihu, Hongchaihu, Xiaochaihu, etc. It is a perennial herbaceous plant of the Apiaceae family. Its underground roots are used medicinally, with effects of releasing the exterior and regulating, reducing fever and raising yang, and soothing the liver and relieving depression. It is mainly used to treat colds, upper respiratory tract infections, malaria, liver and kidney disorders, biliary tract infections, cholecystitis, irregular menstruation, rectal prolapse, and other conditions. It is mainly produced in Hebei, Henan, Shanxi, Shaanxi, Gansu, Hubei, and the three northeastern provinces.

Morphological Characteristics 1. Bupleurum chinense: A perennial herb, 45-70 cm tall. The root grows straight, branched or unbranched. The stem is erect, clustered, mostly branched in the upper part, and slightly zigzag-curved. Leaves are alternate; broadly linear-lanceolate, with acuminate apex and entire margins, green above, light green below, with 7-9 parallel veins. Compound umbels are both axillary and terminal; 4-10 umbel rays, 1-4 cm long, unequal in length; involucre absent, or with 1-2 bracts; 5-10 umbellules; 5 bracteoles; flowers small, yellow, about 1.5 mm in diameter; teeth inconspicuous; 5 petals, apex curved inward into a toothed shape; 5 stamens; ovary inferior, smooth and hairless, 2 styles, very short. The schizocarp is oblong-elliptic, flattened on both sides.

2. Bupleurum scorzonerifolium: A perennial herb, 30-65 cm tall, with a deep and long root, unbranched or slightly branched. The outer bark is reddish-brown. The stem is single or several, mostly branched in the upper part, smooth and hairless. Leaves are alternate; basal leaves and lower stem leaves have long petioles, leaf blades linear or linear-lanceolate, apex acuminate, with 5-7 veins, nearly parallel. Compound umbels, 3-15 umbel rays; involucre absent, or with 2-3 bracts; 10-20 umbellules; about 2 mm long; 5 bracteoles; flowers small, yellow; 5 petals, apex folded inward; 5 stamens; ovary inferior, smooth and hairless; schizocarp, oblong or oblong-ovoid.

I. Growth Habits Bupleurum prefers warm and humid environments. It is cold-tolerant, drought-tolerant, and afraid of waterlogging. Soil requirements: deep soil layers, loose and fertile sandy loam rich in organic matter is best. Saline-alkali land and low-lying land are not suitable for planting.

II. Land Preparation and Fertilization Choose a field with high terrain and good drainage and cultivate it carefully. Along with land preparation, apply sufficient base fertilizer: 3000-5000 kg of farmyard manure per mu, 20 kg of urea, and 50 kg of phosphate and potassium fertilizer. Then make beds and wait for sowing.

III. Sowing Bupleurum is propagated by seed. There are two methods: direct sowing and seedling transplanting. Sowing periods include spring sowing and autumn sowing. Spring sowing is around Qingming, and autumn sowing is before the ground freezes, with autumn sowing being preferable. Direct sowing: Before sowing, first use a seed drill to open shallow furrows on the prepared bed surface, then evenly scatter the Bupleurum seeds into the furrows, then turn the harrow over and level twice so that the soil covers the seeds. The sowing rate is 3 kg per mu. Water to preserve soil moisture and promote germination. Seedling transplanting: The seedling method is the same as direct sowing. However, the sowing rate should be appropriately larger. After that, strengthen seedbed management, and transplant in the autumn after one year of growth. When transplanting, set the Bupleurum seedlings on the prepared bed surface at a row spacing of 15×10 cm, water to preserve soil moisture, and promote survival.

IV. Field Management After the Bupleurum seedlings emerge completely, attention should be paid to cultivating and weeding. If planting on a large scale, herbicide for medicinal fields should be used for soil treatment before seedling emergence, which can effectively prevent and control various weeds. Pay attention to drainage during rainy weather, and water promptly during dry weather. Bupleurum has a long growth period; in the spring of the second year, apply 10 kg of urea and 10 kg of potassium dihydrogen phosphate per mu as topdressing. In winter, clean the field, remove dead branches and fallen leaves above ground, and spread a layer of farmyard manure.

V. Pest and Disease Control The main disease of Bupleurum is root rot, which can be prevented with 65% mancozeb before onset. In the early stage of the disease, use carbendazim for control. The main pest is aphids, which can be controlled with pirimicarb. For underground pests, use phoxim mixed with poison bait to trap and kill them.

VI. Harvesting and Processing Bupleurum is generally harvested in the autumn 2-3 years after sowing, after the underground stems and leaves wither. When harvesting, first cut off the above-ground stems and leaves, then dig out the underground rhizomes and clean off the soil. Sun-dry and it is ready for sale as medicine. The yield per mu is 150 kg.