Detailed Explanation of Key Points for High-Yield Cultivation Techniques of Pseudostellaria heterophylla

Pseudostellaria heterophylla, also known as hai'er shen, tong shen, etc. Its underground tubers are used medicinally, with effects of tonifying qi and promoting fluid production, strengthening the spleen and stomach. It mainly treats prolonged fever that does not subside, poor appetite, cough due to lung deficiency, palpitations, weakness and fatigue, spontaneous sweating, dry mouth and other symptoms. It is mainly produced in Anhui, Zhejiang, Liaoning, Hebei, Shandong, Jiangsu and other provinces.

Morphological characteristics: It is a perennial herbaceous plant with persistent roots of the family Caryophyllaceae, with a plant height of 7-20 cm. The roots are long and spindle-shaped, with a pale yellow outer skin and sparsely growing fibrous roots. The stems are slender and weak, square-shaped, with slightly swollen nodes. The leaves are opposite, with oblanceolate blades; the 2 pairs of leaves at the stem tip are densely clustered, spreading flat in a cross shape, with entire leaf margins. The flowers are axillary and of two types. Those at the base of the stem are small cleistogamous flowers, with 4 sepals; without a corolla, mostly 2 stamens, 1 pistil, and often capable of forming numerous seeds. The flowers at the stem tip are larger and open, white, with 5 sepals, 5 white obovate petals, 10 stamens, 1 pistil, a superior ovary, numerous ovules, an ovate or nearly spherical capsule, and nearly spherical seeds, brown or purplish-brown, with verrucose protrusions on the surface, covered with hairs.

I. Growth habits: Pseudostellaria heterophylla prefers a warm and humid climate environment. It is cold-tolerant, shade-loving, moisture-loving, afraid of waterlogging, and afraid of high temperatures. When the temperature is above 30°C, growth stagnates and it enters summer dormancy. It has strict soil requirements, preferring deep, loose, fertile sandy loam rich in organic matter. Saline-alkali land, low-lying land, and heavy clay land are not suitable for planting.

II. Land preparation and fertilization: Select fields with high terrain and good drainage (preferably with legumes or vegetables as the previous crop), and carry out fine cultivation. In combination with land preparation, apply sufficient base fertilizer: 3000 kg of farmyard manure, 50 kg of cake fertilizer, 10 kg of urea, and 50 kg of phosphorus and potassium fertilizer per mu. Then make high beds 1.2 m wide. The bed surface should be shaped like a turtle's back. Dig drainage ditches around the perimeter. Wait for sowing.

III. Sowing: Pseudostellaria heterophylla is propagated by seeds. It is carried out in two steps: raising seedlings and transplanting. It can also be propagated by underground tubers. The sowing periods include spring sowing and autumn sowing. Spring sowing is around Qingming; autumn sowing is around Shuangjiang. Raising seedlings: After the seeds of Pseudostellaria heterophylla are collected, mix them immediately with wet sand at a ratio of 1:3 for storage. Otherwise, they will not germinate. Before sowing, first open shallow furrows on the prepared bed surface, evenly scatter the seeds of Pseudostellaria heterophylla into the furrows, cover with soil, water to preserve moisture, and promote seedling emergence. After about half a month, once the seedlings of Pseudostellaria heterophylla are full, strengthen management to prepare for transplanting. Transplanting: When the seedlings of Pseudostellaria heterophylla grow to 3 pairs of true leaves, they can be transplanted. Choose cloudy and rainy weather, and plant the seedlings of Pseudostellaria heterophylla on the prepared bed surface at a row spacing of 12×6 cm. Water to preserve moisture and promote survival. Tuber propagation: Select healthy underground tubers of Pseudostellaria heterophylla that are free from pests and diseases. Plant them on the prepared bed surface at a row spacing of 15×6 cm. Water to preserve moisture and promote survival. Tuber propagation is generally carried out around Shuangjiang.

IV. Field management: After the seedlings of Pseudostellaria heterophylla are full, attention should be paid to intertillage and weeding. If planting on a large scale, soil treatment with herbicides for medicinal fields should be carried out before seedling emergence, which can effectively control various weeds. Because Pseudostellaria heterophylla is afraid of strong light, around Lixia, appropriate intercropping with tall crops such as corn and sorghum should be carried out for shade. Water promptly in dry weather and pay attention to drainage in rainy weather. Weeding can be stopped after the rows close.

V. Pest and disease control: The main pests and diseases of Pseudostellaria heterophylla include leaf spot, root rot, and viral disease. For control, comprehensive control measures can be adopted. Soil disinfection: During land preparation, evenly apply 5 kg of 50% carbendazim powder into the soil. Seed treatment: Soak the seeds or seed tubers of Pseudostellaria heterophylla in a 500-fold solution of 50% carbendazim for 30 minutes. In the early stage of disease occurrence, use mancozeb for spray control. For underground pests, use poisoned bait to trap and kill them.

VI. Harvest and processing: Pseudostellaria heterophylla is harvested in July after the aboveground stems and leaves wither. Wash the soil off the dug-out underground tubers of Pseudostellaria heterophylla, put them in boiling water and cook for 3 minutes, then take them out and dry them in the sun before they can be sold as medicine. The yield per mu is 150 kg.