Detailed Explanation of Key Techniques for High-Yield Cultivation of Pinellia ternata

Pinellia ternata, also known as three-leaf pinellia, small arisaema, etc. Its underground corms are used as medicine, with effects of drying dampness and resolving phlegm, directing qi downward and stopping vomiting, and clearing stuffiness and dispersing nodules. It is toxic. It mainly treats profuse phlegm and vomiting, damp-phlegm cough, and rebellious qi. External application can reduce boils and swelling and stop bleeding. It is mainly produced in Anhui, Shandong, Shanxi, Hubei, Sichuan and other provinces.

Morphological characteristics: It is a perennial herb of the Araceae family, 15-30 cm tall. The underground tuber is spherical or oblate-spherical, 1-2 cm in diameter, with numerous fibrous roots growing below. Leaves emerge from the top of the tuber; in the seedling stage there is often a single leaf, ovate-cordate, with the middle leaflet relatively large and the two side leaflets relatively small, acute at the apex, cuneate at the base, with a short petiole; the leaf veins are pinnate-reticulate, and the lateral veins unite near the margin; on the inner side of the lower part of the petiole a white bulbils is produced, and sometimes there is also one at the leaf tip, ovate. The scape is taller than the leaves, about 30 cm long; the lower part of the spathe is slender-tubular, green, blackish-purple inside, and the upper part is blade-like and elliptic; one side of the base of the spadix is adnate to the spathe, with male flowers above and female flowers below, and the appendage at the tip of the inflorescence axis extends in a mouse-tail shape. The berry is red when ripe.

I. Growth habits: Pinellia ternata prefers a warm, humid, semi-shaded and semi-sunny environment. It is cold-tolerant, not drought-tolerant, and afraid of strong sunlight. A loose, fertile sandy loam with deep soil layers and rich organic matter is best. The suitable growth temperature is 15°C——25°C.

II. Land preparation and fertilization: Choose a field with deep soil layers and good drainage, and carry out intensive cultivation. In combination with land preparation, apply sufficient base fertilizer: 3000 kg of farmyard manure, 20 kg of urea, and 50 kg of phosphorus-potassium fertilizer per mu. Then make beds and wait for sowing.

III. Sowing: In production, Pinellia ternata is propagated by underground corms, and can also be propagated by seeds. The sowing period is around Qingming. Before sowing, first open shallow furrows on the prepared bed surface, then place the Pinellia seed corms in the planting furrows at a row spacing of 20×5 cm, and cover with soil. The sowing rate is 100 kg per mu. For seed propagation, first use a seed drill to open shallow furrows on the prepared bed surface, then evenly scatter the seeds into the furrows, and then rake level. The sowing rate is 3 kg per mu.

IV. Field management: After sowing Pinellia ternata, seedlings can emerge in half a month when the soil temperature is about 20°C. Before emergence, if drought occurs, water lightly and frequently to promote emergence. After full emergence, attention should be paid to intertillage and weeding. For large-scale planting, a herbicide for medicinal fields should be used for soil treatment before emergence, which can effectively control various weeds. Pay attention to drainage during rainy weather. To prevent scorching by strong sunlight, tall crops such as corn and coix may be appropriately intercropped to benefit the growth of Pinellia ternata.

V. Pest and disease control: Leaf spot disease occurs in early summer, with purplish-brown lesions on the leaves. In the early stage of the disease, it can be controlled with 1:1:120 Bordeaux mixture or 65% mancozeb 500-fold solution. Spray once a week for three consecutive times. Viral disease: when it occurs, the leaves of diseased plants curl into a mosaic pattern, and the plants are short and deformed. Control must adopt integrated control techniques: 1. Soil disinfection. Apply 50 kg of lime powder evenly into the soil per mu. 2. Seed treatment. Before sowing, soak the seed corms in a 1200-fold solution of 40% carbendazim for 10 minutes, then remove, dry, and sow. 3. In the early stage of the disease, use carbendazim spray for control. The main pest is the red hawk moth larva, which damages the leaves and can be killed with fenvalerate.

VI. Harvesting and processing: Pinellia ternata propagated by corms is dug after the aboveground stems and leaves wither in autumn of the same year, while Pinellia ternata propagated by seeds can only be dug after 3-4 years. Wash the dug underground corms, peel off the outer skin, fumigate with sulfur, and dry in the sun before selling as medicine. The yield is 150 kg per mu.