Detailed Explanation of Key Management Techniques for Schisandra chinensis During the Growing Period

Schisandra chinensisAlso known as Xuanji, Huiji, Wumeizi, Shanhuajiao, Zhuangwei, Wuwei, Diaoliu, etc. The Tang dynasty text "Newly Revised Materia Medica" records that "the flesh of the five-flavored fruit is sweet and sour, the kernel is pungent and bitter, and all have a salty taste," hence the name Schisandra (five-flavored fruit). Schisandra chinensis is divided into two types: southern and northern. Ancient medical texts called it Chizhu, Xuanji, and Huiji, and it was first listed as a top-grade herb in the Shennong Bencao Jing. Its efficacy in traditional Chinese medicine lies in its tonifying and strengthening power, with extremely high medicinal value and the effect of strengthening the body.

Water management: In the first year after planting, water should be applied multiple times to ensure soil moisture content, thereby ensuring seedling survival rate and normal growth of young trees. For trees that have entered the fruiting stage, in normal years, 4-5 waterings should be ensured: pre-flowering water, post-flowering water, fruit swelling water, and freezing water, combined with cultivation and weeding. After watering, loosen the soil immediately to preserve moisture and prevent soil compaction.

Fertilization management: In the first year after planting, in early to mid-June, apply 15-20 kg of urea per 667 sq m. In the second year, in early May, apply about 20 kg each of phosphate and potassium fertilizer and urea to promote growth, expand the canopy, and reach production as soon as possible. After the third year, in addition to applying chemical fertilizers, base fertilizer should be applied in autumn in early to mid-October to ensure soil fertility. For orchards with higher yields and weaker tree vigor, a 5‰ urea solution can be used for foliar spraying.

Cultivation and weeding: Although Schisandra chinensis is a wild plant, after being introduced to field cultivation, attention must be paid to cultivation and weeding so that it can grow normally, bear fruit earlier, and reach production as soon as possible. Cultivation and weeding can also be combined with irrigation and fertilization, carried out 3-4 times per year. The first should be before germination, loosening the soil and preserving moisture combined with fertilization; the second in mid-May combined with irrigation; the third in late June; and the fourth in mid-July. In short, no weed overgrowth should occur in the orchard. In addition to reducing soil nutrient consumption, cultivation and weeding can also reduce the occurrence of pests and diseases.

Diseases: Leaf blight begins to occur in early to mid-July and can be controlled with a 0.01% solution of 5% thiophanate-methyl. Powdery mildew can be controlled by spraying a 0.125%-0.167% solution of 25% triadimefon. Both of these diseases can also be controlled in mid-June with a 1:1:200 Bordeaux mixture, which also gives very good results.

Pests: Schisandra chinensis has relatively few pests, and under normal circumstances they do not occur. If scattered occurrences happen, manual capture can be used. If a large-scale outbreak occurs, low-toxicity pesticides such as zinc phoxim and deltamethrin can be used for control. However, one month before harvest, the use of all pesticides must be stopped to avoid pesticide residues affecting the quality of the medicinal material.