Detailed Explanation of Seven Key Field Management Points for the Chinese Medicinal Herb Bai Fuzi

(1) Thinning, final thinning, and replanting:Bai FuziAfter sowing, seedlings emerge in about 15 days, but due to the influence of soil quality, climate, and other conditions, gaps or missing rows are easily caused during emergence. To ensure a high yield, careful land preparation, careful selection of seed stems, and standardized planting are required to ensure a full stand. If gaps are found, replant or transplant early. If seedlings emerge too densely, timely thinning is especially important to save soil nutrients and water, promote vigorous growth of seedlings, and form strong seedlings. Generally, thinning and final thinning are carried out when the seedlings are 6-9 cm tall.

(2) Intertillage and weeding: According to the growth habits of Bai Fuzi, multiple intertillage, hilling, loosening of soil, and weeding are required during the growing period. Intertillage can effectively regulate and improve soil permeability, promote soil microbial activity, increase the supply of available soil nutrients, and in drought conditions intertillage can cut soil capillaries, prevent soil moisture evaporation, preserve moisture, and prevent drought. In waterlogged conditions, hoeing can break soil compaction, enhance soil permeability, disperse moisture, raise temperature, and promote deep root growth. Intertillage can also effectively eliminate field weeds and reduce competition between weeds and Bai Fuzi for water and nutrients. According to the growth habits of Bai Fuzi, generally 4 intertillage and weeding operations are required before row closure. The first intertillage should be done after the seedlings are uniform, usually when the seedlings are 6-9 cm tall, with shallow hoeing and weeding to loosen the surface soil. The second intertillage is in mid-to-late June, and can be appropriately deeper to break the compacted soil layer and promote downward root growth. The third intertillage is in late July, during the vigorous growth period of Bai Fuzi, and should be fine, even, and thorough to facilitate rhizome expansion. The fourth intertillage is in late August, combined with trench repair and hilling to maintain the original high-ridge shape. When hilling, only the furrows should be hilled, not the ridge tops, to avoid burying the rhizomes too deep, which is unfavorable for rhizome expansion and causes reduced yield.

(3) Drainage and irrigation: Bai Fuzi prefers moisture and fears waterlogging. After planting, the soil should be kept moist regularly, but watering should be done in small amounts and frequently. Flood irrigation is strictly prohibited. If watered too much, root respiration is affected, growth is hindered, activity is poor, and leaves are prone to yellowing, affecting plant growth. Therefore, during the rainy season, attention should be paid to drainage to prevent surface water accumulation and flooding. Bai Fuzi is generally not watered before emergence to prevent soil compaction, which causes difficulty in emergence and lowers soil temperature, delaying emergence. The first watering is done only after full emergence. If the pre-planting soil moisture is insufficient, the soil cover is thin, and the soil is dry, watering should be done earlier. After the first watering, keep the soil alternately dry and moist, and water again after 6-7 days. After Minor Heat, when the weather is hot, watering should be more frequent. Late July is the peak growth period of Bai Fuzi, when rhizomes expand rapidly and cannot suffer drought, requiring more fertilizer and water. After Autumn Equinox, when the weather turns cooler, the watering interval can be longer, but the soil should still maintain a certain degree of moisture. When temperatures are high, watering should be done in the evening when ground temperature is low. After heavy rain, if water accumulation is found, it should be drained promptly, and damaged field ridges and banks should be repaired in time. When there is excessive autumn rain, pay attention to drainage and waterlogging prevention.

(4) Fertilization: In addition to applying sufficient base fertilizer, 3-4 topdressings should be applied according to soil fertility and the growth status of Bai Fuzi. To improve the soil and increase fertility, fertilization should be mainly farmyard manure, supplemented by chemical fertilizers. The first application is after full emergence, combined with intertillage, applying 1000-1500 kg of dilute human and livestock manure water per mu. In mid-to-late June, combined with loosening soil and weeding, apply another round of human manure water. In late July, during the vigorous growth season of Bai Fuzi, apply 1500-2000 kg of decomposed manure per mu in furrows, then cover with soil tightly. In late August, combined with intertillage and weeding, apply 15 kg of urea per mu, plus 50 kg of cake fertilizer and an appropriate amount of phosphorus and potassium fertilizer to promote increased yield.

(5) Disease and pest control: During the growing period of Bai Fuzi, the main diseases and pests include viral disease, leaf spot disease, root rot, red hawk moth, and white grubs. Field investigation and control work should be done promptly. In terms of specific methods, chemical control, cultural control, and biological control should be organically combined to implement integrated control in order to achieve good results.

(6) Flower stalk removal: From May to June, when the spadix inflorescence of Bai Fuzi emerges from the spathe, except in seed-production fields, it should be cut off promptly to reduce unnecessary nutrient consumption and help increase yield.

(7) Overwintering management: Bai Fuzi is a perennial herbaceous plant that prefers moisture and is not cold-tolerant. Generally, watering once with freezing water before winter or covering with horse manure, straw, or similar materials is sufficient for it to overwinter safely.