Key Field Management Techniques for the Medicinal Plant Codonopsis pilosula

1. Intertillage and weeding: loosen the soil and remove weeds promptly after emergence, and remove weeds whenever they appear. After the rows close over, pull out any large weeds at any time.

2. Topdressing and watering: before the seedlings reach 30 cm in height, apply 1000-1500 kg of human excrement and urine or 10 kg of urea per mu. Water promptly after transplanting; once the plants have established, water less or not at all to prevent excessive vegetative growth of the seedlings.

3. Trellising: when the seedlings reach 30 cm in height, set up trellises with bamboo poles or branches so that the stems and vines can climb and grow.

4. Seed production: Codonopsis pilosula can set seed in the same year it is transplanted, but seed saved in the second year is of better quality. Generally, in September to October, when the fruits turn from green to yellowish white and the seeds turn yellowish brown, cut off the aboveground stems, dry them in the sun and thresh, remove impurities, and store in a ventilated place. Each mu can yield 10-15 kg of seed. Fresh seed has a germination rate of more than 85%, while seed kept until the next year has a low germination rate or loses its germinating ability and is not suitable for sowing.