Detailed Introduction to the Cultivation Techniques of the Chinese Medicinal Herb Saposhnikovia divaricata

Saposhnikovia divaricata, a perennial herbaceous plant, prefers a cool climate, is cold-resistant and drought-tolerant, and is mainly produced in Hebei, Heilongjiang, Sichuan, Inner Mongolia and other places. The root of Saposhnikovia divaricata can be used fresh. It is pungent and sweet in taste and slightly warm in nature. It has the effects of dispelling wind and releasing the exterior, overcoming dampness and relieving pain, and stopping spasms. This article introduces the cultivation techniques of the Chinese medicinal herb Saposhnikovia divaricata:

Plant morphology:

The plant height of Saposhnikovia divaricata is 30-80 cm. It branches in a double pattern from the base to the top. The leaves are pinnately divided, with narrow and long lobes. The compound umbel has many small white flowers, which after fading develop into oval schizocarps. The root is slender and round-cylindrical, growing vertically, with a yellow-brown outer skin, longitudinal wrinkles and raised small bumps, and dense fine ring lines on the root crown. The flowering period is July to August, and the fruiting period is August to October.

Growth habits:

It prefers a warm and humid environment, is cold-resistant, can overwinter in the field, and can be planted in generally all soils, growing better in loose and fertile sandy soil.

Cultivation management:

It is propagated by seeds, and both spring sowing and autumn sowing are possible. Saposhnikovia divaricata sown in autumn is firm, high in powdery content, does not split, and is of good quality. Spring sowing is carried out from Qingming to Guyu, and it is best to sow when the daily average temperature is above 18 degrees, and the ground must be kept moist before emergence. The sowing rate is about 3-4 kg per mu. Drill sowing is done at a row spacing of 25 cm, with a 1 cm shallow furrow. The seed field should be deeply plowed and prepared, and barnyard manure should be applied as base fertilizer, then beds should be made.

When propagated by seedlings, spring sowing requires 80-120 kg per mu.

Field management:

For autumn-sown Saposhnikovia divaricata, one watering of frozen water should be given before freezing, and after freezing a layer of livestock manure or barnyard manure should be covered to help keep warm and overwinter. After thawing the following year, before germination, break up the manure clods and rake them level, and water promptly. During the seedling stage, the soil should not be loosened too deeply. From Lixia to Liqiu is the peak growing season for Saposhnikovia divaricata, and intertillage should be stopped to prevent root damage. But at this time, it is necessary to apply oily fertilizer or phosphate fertilizer as topdressing, and increase the number of waterings after fertilizing. Stop watering when the plants are about to wither. Saposhnikovia divaricata planted in the same year does not flower or set seed, and if retained for seed, each row needs to be planted separately.

Pest and disease control:

Root rot is likely to occur in low-lying waterlogged areas during the rainy season. Among insect pests, the larvae of swallowtail butterflies damage tender leaves, while cutworms and white grubs bite the rhizomes; spray with 90% trichlorfon at 1500 times dilution for control.

Harvesting and processing:

Autumn-sown plants are dug up and harvested at Hanlu in the second year. Spring-sown plants are dug up and harvested after the stems and leaves wither. After digging out the plants, remove the stems and leaves, shake off the soil clean, and dry in the sun for medicinal use. The yield of dried product is 300-350 kg per mu.