Detailed Explanation of Key Points for High-Yield Cultivation Techniques of Polygonum multiflorum

Polygonum multiflorum, also known as Chi Shouwu, Shouwu, Tiecheng Tuo, Hongnei Xiao, etc. Its underground tuberous root is used medicinally, with effects of tonifying the liver and kidneys, replenishing essence and blood, nourishing the heart and calming the spirit, detoxifying and dissipating nodules, and moistening the intestines. It mainly treats neurasthenia, anemia, premature graying of beard and hair, dizziness, insomnia, night sweats, soreness and pain in the waist and knees, spermatorrhea, leukorrhea, high cholesterol; used raw, it treats constipation caused by insufficient yin and blood, lymphatic tuberculosis, sores and boils, etc. The vine of Polygonum multiflorum is known in traditional Chinese medicine as Yejiaoteng (Polygoni Multiflori Caulis), which has the functions of nourishing the heart and calming the spirit, and dispelling wind-dampness. It mainly treats kidney failure insomnia, frequent dreaming, generalized aching pain, etc. The main producing areas are Hubei, Guangxi, Guizhou, Jiangxi and other southern provinces. It is mostly wild.

Morphological characteristics: It is a perennial twining herb of the Polygonaceae family, with a length of up to more than 3 m. The root is slender, with a enlarged tuberous root at the end, solid and heavy in texture, reddish-brown to dark brown on the outside, and brownish-yellow granular on the cut surface. The upper part of the stem is much branched, often red-purple, hairless, slightly woody at the base, hollow. Leaves are simple, alternate, with long petioles; the leaf blade is narrowly ovate or cordate, 4-8 cm long and 2.5-5 cm wide, gradually pointed at the tip, cordate or sagittate at the base, entire or slightly wavy, dark green above and light green below, smooth and hairless on both surfaces. Stipules are membranous, sheath-like, brown or brownish, stem-clasping, 5-7 mm long, easily ruptured and persistent. Flowers are small, about 2 mm in diameter, white, numerous, densely clustered into large panicles, terminal or axillary; the inflorescence is much branched, the pedicels are jointed, with membranous bracts at the base, the bracts ovate-lanceolate; petals are 5-parted, the lobes obovate, unequal in size, the outer 3 thicker, winged on the back; stamens 8, shorter than the perianth; pistil 1, ovary triangular, style short, stigma three-cleft, capitate. Achenes are ovate to elliptic, with 3 ribs, 2-3.5 mm long, black and shiny, completely enclosed in the persistent perianth, the perianth forming obvious 3 wings, brown when mature.

I. Growth habits: Polygonum multiflorum prefers a warm and humid environment. It fears drought and avoids waterlogging. It has strong adaptability. It has no strict requirements for soil, but deep, loose and fertile sandy soil is best.

II. Land preparation and fertilization: Select a field with high terrain and good drainage and cultivate it finely. 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 raised beds 70 cm wide and wait for sowing.

III. Propagation: In production, Polygonum multiflorum is mostly propagated by cuttings and layering. It can also be propagated by seed. Cutting propagation: In April to May, select vigorous, disease-free, 1-year-old thick vines, remove the tender stems, take the middle section, and cut into 20 cm long cuttings. Each section has 2-3 nodes. Then treat the seed sections with rooting powder and plant them on the prepared bed surface at a row spacing of 20 x 20 cm. Water to preserve moisture and promote survival. Layering propagation: In June to July, during the vigorous growth period of Polygonum multiflorum, select robust, disease-free 3-4-year-old plants, bend their vines and press them into the soil, cut and wound the buried part with a knife, and keep the soil moist. Soon the wounded part will take root and sprout. In the following spring, it can be cut off from the mother plant and cultivated separately. Seed propagation: Sow Polygonum multiflorum seeds on the prepared bed surface at a row spacing of 20 x 20 cm. Place about 5 seeds per hole. Water to preserve moisture and promote germination. The sowing rate is 1 kg per mu. The method of raising seedlings and transplanting can also be used, but the sowing rate must be increased when raising seedlings. Use 2 kg of seeds per mu.

IV. Field management: After Polygonum multiflorum seedlings emerge completely, attention should be paid to intertillage and weeding. If planted on a large scale, herbicide for medicinal fields should be used for soil treatment before seedling emergence, which can effectively control various weeds. Pay attention to watering in dry weather and drain promptly in rainy weather. When the seedlings are 10 cm tall, a bamboo pole should be set beside the plant to let the vines twine and climb, so as to facilitate ventilation and light penetration. Around the Beginning of Autumn, topdressing should be applied once: 10 kg of urea and 10 kg of potassium dihydrogen phosphate per mu. In winter, spread a layer of farmyard manure on the bed surface.

V. Pest and disease control: The main diseases of Polygonum multiflorum are leaf spot and root rot. Comprehensive control measures can be adopted: 1. During land preparation, apply 3 kg of carbendazim powder per mu for soil disinfection. 2. Before onset, spray with 1:1:100 Bordeaux mixture for control. At the early stage of the disease, spray with 50% carbendazim 500 times dilution for control. Once a week, spray three times consecutively. The main pest is aphids, which can be controlled with Yamanjing. For underground pests, use phoxim mixed with poison bait for trapping and killing.

VI. Harvesting and processing: Polygonum multiflorum is generally harvested around the Beginning of Winter after 3-4 years of planting, after the aboveground stems and leaves wither. When harvesting, first cut off the aboveground vines, then dig out the underground tubers, remove the soil, cut into 1.5 cm thick slices, and sun-dry before selling as medicine. Yejiaoteng is harvested once every autumn, tied into small bundles and sun-dried. The yield per mu is 350 kg of Polygonum multiflorum and 300 kg of Yejiaoteng.