Detailed Explanation of Ephedra Variety Selection and Seedling Raising and Transplanting Techniques

Ephedra is a perennial desert medicinal plant. After deep processing, ephedrine can be extracted and used in compound preparations with various commonly used medicines, and can also be made into a prescription on its own. It commands a high price on the international market.

In recent years, excessive harvesting has caused great damage to wild Ephedra resources, and wild resources have been declining day by day. To protect wild resources and ease the shortage of raw materials for ephedrine-producing enterprises, Ephedra should be planted artificially. The seeds needed for artificial Ephedra cultivation are obtained by collecting wild Ephedra, but wild Ephedra shows alternate bearing years and is difficult to collect. Growing Ephedra by direct seeding results in a low emergence rate and wastes seeds, so the method of raising seedlings first and then transplanting is generally adopted. Through years of Ephedra seedling raising and planting practice in Hoxud County, an effective set of cultivation methods has been summarized and is introduced as follows:

I. Variety Selection

Through planting comparisons and consideration of the genuine producing area of the medicinal material, blue Ephedra was selected as the main variety for cultivation. Blue Ephedra is the main Ephedra variety for extracting dextroephedrine, and its alkaloid content generally reaches 1.3—1.9%.

II. Ephedra Seedling Raising

1. Requirements for the seedling site. Sandy soil is best, with a pH of 6.8—8 and a salt content below 0.1%.

2. Land preparation requirements. Apply 1500 kg of decomposed organic fertilizer per 666.7 sq m, plow deeply and evenly, and water thoroughly. When the field water-holding capacity reaches 80%, make beds 3 m wide with an irrigation ditch left in the middle, level the bed surface, and wait for sowing.

3. Sowing requirements.

(1) The sowing time is late August, and the usual seed rate is 6—8 kg/666.7 m”.

(2) Before sowing, soak the seeds in warm water using a ratio of 2 parts boiling water to 1 part cold water. Soak the seeds in the water, stir evenly, let the water cool naturally, and soak for 12 hours.

(3) Slightly air-dry the soaked seeds, mix in fine sand, broadcast evenly on the bed surface, cover with 2 mm of fine soil, cover with plastic film, and shade with straw curtains or a shade net.

4. Management after emergence. After sowing, when the seedlings emerge completely in 6—7 days, remove the plastic film and replenish water according to soil conditions. When watering, note that a small amount of water should seep to both sides through the ditch; never irrigate with a strong flow. When Ephedra seedlings grow to 2—3 cm, pay attention to weeding. When the temperature drops to lOq2, cover the greenhouse with film, and note that after covering, ventilation should be carried out at noon to remove moisture. In the early stage after emergence, water should be controlled to promote seedling root growth. After the roots reach 10 cm, water according to the wet and dry conditions of the soil. In early March of the second year, increase ventilation at noon, gradually expand the vents, and begin hardening the seedlings. By the end of March, when the outside temperature is 18q:, remove the greenhouse film. In mid-April, begin lifting seedlings in preparation for transplanting to the field.