Detailed Explanation of Key Points for Efficient Artificial Cultivation Techniques of Paris polyphylla
Aliases of Paris polyphylla: Dian Chonglou, Caoheche, Dujiaolian; it is the rhizome of Paris polyphylla var. yunnanensis, a plant in the Liliaceae family. Perennial herb. Leaves 6-10 in a whorl, petiole 5-20 mm long, leaf blade thickly papery, lanceolate, ovate-oblong to obovate, 5-11 cm long, 2-4.5 cm wide. The pedicel emerges from the top of the stem, bearing a single terminal flower; flowers bisexual, sepals lanceolate or long-ovate, green, 3.5-6 cm long; tepals linear and slightly lanceolate, yellow, about 1/2 the length of the sepals to nearly equal in length, 2-6 mm wide above the middle; stamens 8-10, anthers 1-1.5 cm long, filaments shorter than the anthers, connective protruding portion 1-2 mm. Flowering period June-July, fruiting period September-October.
Grows in shaded, damp places under mountain forests or in roadside grass. Mainly produced in Yunnan, Guizhou, and Sichuan.
Growth Habits
Paris polyphylla prefers to grow at an altitude of around 500-3000 m, in humid climates with appropriate rainfall, in shaded areas under forests. Generally, the suitable temperature for seed germination, root growth and development, and terminal bud germination is 18°C-20°C, for seedling emergence 20°C, for aboveground plant growth 16°C-20°C, and for underground rhizome growth 14°C-18°C. Paris polyphylla requires a shaded environment for growth; strong light will cause the leaves to wither. Generally, the seed germination and seedling stages require relatively good shading, while in the two years before maturity, shading should be appropriately reduced and light increased, which is beneficial for the accumulation of secondary metabolites and dry matter. If soil moisture content is too low, it easily causes the stems and leaves to lose water and the root system to dry up and die, while if too high, it easily leads to pests and diseases, and rhizome rot. Paris polyphylla is suitable for growing in well-drained, slightly acidic humus soil or red loam soil; sticky, water-accumulating, and compacted soils are not suitable for planting.
Generally, central Yunnan, eastern Yunnan, northeastern Yunnan, western Yunnan, and northwestern Yunnan are relatively suitable for Paris polyphylla var. yunnanensis, while southern Yunnan is relatively suitable for Paris polyphylla var. chinensis.
Planting Methods
Site selection and land preparation: Select a forest clearing or slope land, or dry land, with relatively high terrain and good drainage, with soil that is humus-rich humus soil or acidic red loam soil, as the Paris polyphylla planting base. Paris polyphylla is a perennial shallow-rooted crop with slow growth and few but relatively long roots; generally, in the first year of transplanting, the land should be deep-plowed, which is beneficial for root growth. In winter, choose a sunny day when the field is relatively dry for plowing, plow about 25 cm deep, break up the soil clods and remove stones and weeds during plowing. After sun-drying for one to two days, apply 30-35 tons of decomposed farmyard manure per hectare as base fertilizer, and level and make beds. The bed surface width is 120 cm, the ditch width is 30 cm, and the ditch depth is 25 cm. After sowing, break up the ditch mud and spread it on the bed surface; the ditches should be unobstructed to facilitate drainage.
1. Seed propagation
① Seedbed: The seedbed should be selected in a forest clearing or slope land with relatively high terrain, good drainage, soil rich in organic matter, and relatively good shade (20% light transmittance); for dry land, 3-4 layers of shade netting should be set up. Choose a sunny day when the field is relatively dry for plowing, plow about 15 cm deep, crush the soil clods during plowing, and remove stones and weeds, then level and make beds. The bed surface width is 120 cm, the ditch width is 30 cm, and the ditch depth is 25 cm; the ditches should be unobstructed to facilitate drainage.
② Seed selection and seed treatment: Select plump, mature Paris polyphylla seeds free of disease, mildew, and damage, with a 1000-grain weight of 40-70 g, mix them with clean fine sand at a ratio of 2:1, rub to remove the outer seed coat, wash clean, and soak the seeds in 500-fold carbendazim for 1 hour, bury them in wet sand, treat at 20°C for 4 months, and sow after the Paris polyphylla seeds have rooted; during this period, attention should be paid to keeping them moist.
③ Sowing and raising seedlings: The treated seeds can be dibbled or drilled, and can also be broadcast. Sow into humus soil and fine sand (2:1), cover the seeds with a thin layer of soil 1.5-2 cm thick, then cover with a layer of finely chopped grass to retain moisture; this is beneficial both for the seedlings to emerge and for the cotyledons to shed their shells to ensure the emergence rate. During this period, maintain a moist and shaded environment in the seedbed; avoid soil compaction, drying, and excessive sunlight. Generally, seedlings emerge in 3-4 months.
2. Cutting propagation: In winter, cut disease-free, normally shaped Paris polyphylla underground stems into sections of two nodes (about 2 cm); they must not be too short, otherwise the seedlings will be too thin or will not emerge. Treat the wounds with plant ash. Cuttings with terminal buds can be directly planted in the field. Cuttings without terminal buds are planted at a spacing of 7×7 cm; after planting, cover with chopped grass or humus soil to retain moisture (soil moisture 65%), and maintain a shaded environment.
3. Transplanting: Seedlings are transplanted 3 years after emergence, at a spacing of 15×20 cm. Cuttings with terminal buds are planted at a spacing of 15×20 cm; cuttings without terminal buds are dug out in the second winter when adventitious buds have already formed and planted at a spacing of 20×30 cm. After transplanting, cover with chopped grass or humus soil to retain moisture and maintain a shaded environment. Transplanting time is best in winter, after the aboveground stems have withered and the rhizomes are dormant; during transplanting, take care not to damage the terminal buds and fibrous roots.
III. Field Management
1. Intertillage and weeding: Because the Paris polyphylla root system is relatively shallow and new roots sprout in autumn and winter, attention must be paid during intertillage. Around September-October, at the early stage of underground stem growth, use a small hoe to intertill gently, not too deep, so as not to damage the underground stems. During intertillage and weeding, combine with earthing up and apply winter fertilizer. Around the Beginning of Spring, the seedlings gradually grow out; if weeds are found, they should be promptly removed by hand, and care should be taken during weeding not to injure the seedlings and underground rhizomes, so as not to affect the growth of Paris polyphylla.
2. Drainage and irrigation: Drainage ditches should be opened around the field to facilitate drainage. The drainage ditch depth should be more than 35 cm, basically achieving that water dries up after the rain stops. Paris polyphylla var. yunnanensis is averse to water accumulation during growth, and soil moisture content should not be too high. Before the aboveground stems emerge, it should not be watered, otherwise root rot easily occurs. After emergence, however, it must not lack water; therefore, before the rainy season arrives, water promptly. When the rainy season arrives, pay attention to drainage.
Fertilization
1. Base fertilizer: Apply 30-35 tons of decomposed farmyard manure per hectare as base fertilizer.
2. Winter fertilizer: Generally carried out from late November to early December. First, gently intertill the surface soil once, then choose a sunny day and apply 150-250 kg of compound fertilizer per hectare. Then cover with 30 tons of barnyard manure, and then cover with some fine soil on top.
3. Spring fertilizer: After the seedlings have all emerged, apply decomposed farmyard manure 1-2 times, 15-20 tons each time, then spray foliar fertilizer 2 times. Around the Beginning of Spring, when the young seedlings break through the surface soil and the seedlings are about 3 cm tall, topdress promptly.
4. Topping: At the end of vegetative growth, remove the ovary of plants not kept for seed, but retain the sepals (which can carry out photosynthesis), to ensure the transfer of organic matter to the rhizome. In addition, for Paris polyphylla var. chinensis, after new seedlings sprout, remove the old yellow leaves to reduce nutrient consumption.