Atractylodes Seed Prices and Planting Methods Explained in Detail
Atractylodes is a traditional bulk medicinal herb in China. It was previously mainly sourced from the wild, but due to large-scale predatory harvesting of Atractylodes, wild resources are on the verge of exhaustion, and at the same time there is no large-scale artificial cultivation, causing the market price of Atractylodes to trend upward. Therefore, growing Atractylodes is a good money-making project. Let's take a look at Atractylodes seed prices and planting methods together below!
How much is Atractylodes seed per jin?
The price of Atractylodes seeds is about 200-250 yuan per jin, but it varies depending on seed quality, variety, place of origin and market. Atractylodes is widely cultivated in medicinal gardens across China. Generally, sown Atractylodes is harvested after 3-4 years, while transplanted Atractylodes is harvested after 2-3 years. Maocangzhu (Atractylodes lancea) is mostly dug in autumn, while Beicangzhu (Atractylodes chinensis) can be dug in both spring and autumn, but the quality is best when dug after autumn until before the seedlings emerge in early spring of the following year. Wild Maocangzhu can be dug in spring, summer and autumn, but the quality is best when harvested in August.
Sowing Methods for Atractylodes
1. Seedbed preparation: Atractylodes is generally raised as seedlings in early April. Apply chemical fertilizer or farmyard manure on the selected plot. Diammonium phosphate is best as the chemical fertilizer, 40 jin per mu is enough. Then rake level and fine, and make beds. Before making the beds, apply insecticide to prevent underground pests from harming the seedlings.
2. Sowing and covering with grass: Atractylodes can be sown in drills or broadcast. For drill sowing, open furrows horizontally on the bed surface and evenly scatter the seeds into the furrows. For broadcast sowing, evenly scatter the seeds directly on the bed surface. Use 3-4 kg of seed per mu. After sowing, cover with grass, water frequently to maintain soil moisture, and remove the covering grass after the seedlings emerge.
3. Timely planting out: Thin the seedlings when Atractylodes seedlings are about 3 cm tall, and they can be planted out at about 10 cm. The planting spacing is about 15×30 cm. After planting, cover with soil, press firm and water. Generally, planting out on rainy days or in the afternoon makes it easier to survive.
Cultivation Methods for Atractylodes
1. Land preparation and fertilization: For Atractylodes cultivation, choose deep soil with good drainage, loose and fertile, and sufficient sunlight, using loam, sandy loam or humus loam to make beds. Apply 2000 kg of farmyard manure per mu. The wide-ridge high-bed technique is usually adopted.
2. Cultivation and weeding: During the seedling stage of Atractylodes, weed and loosen the soil frequently. After planting out, pay attention to cultivation and weeding. If the weather is dry, water in a timely manner, which can also be done together with topdressing.
3. Reasonable topdressing: During the seedling stage of Atractylodes, apply 2000 kg of decomposed dilute human and livestock manure water per mu. In June-July, apply 2500-3000 kg of decomposed human manure and urine plus 15 kg of superphosphate. In October, open furrows between the rows and apply decomposed stable manure or compost, then water and cover with soil.
4. Irrigation and drainage: If drought occurs during Atractylodes cultivation, water in a timely manner to keep the soil moist. In the rainy season, pay attention to timely drainage to prevent waterlogging, so as to avoid root rot and seedling death, and reduce yield and quality.
5. Bud removal and seed reservation: In commercial Atractylodes fields, remove flower buds in a timely manner at the budding stage, so that nutrients are concentrated for the growth of underground rhizomes. For seed fields, choose loose and fertile land and healthy, disease-free planting material, appropriately thin flowers and buds, and cultivate excellent seeds and seedlings.
6. Harvesting and processing: Atractylodes can be harvested 3-4 years after sowing or 2-3 years after transplanting. In spring or autumn, after the aboveground stems and leaves wither in October-November, dig up the rhizomes on a sunny day. Shake off the soil from the dug rhizomes, remove the remaining stems, dry in the sun or dry by heat, then knock off the fibrous roots.
7. Pest and disease control: Beicangzhu (Atractylodes chinensis) is susceptible to aphid damage. Dead branches and fallen leaves should be removed in a timely manner, and deeply buried or burned. During the occurrence period, spray with 50% fenitrothion 1000-2000 times solution or 40% dimethoate emulsifiable concentrate 1500-2000 times solution, once every 7 days, continuously until there is no pest damage.