Atractylodes macrocephala seed prices and a detailed guide to growing methods

Atractylodes macrocephala, also known as fujia, yuzhu, xizhu and so on, is a perennial herbaceous plant of the genus Atractylodes in the Asteraceae family. Used medicinally, it has the effects of drying dampness, resolving turbidity and relieving pain, and its cultivation value is relatively high. It is cultivated in Jiangsu, Zhejiang, Fujian, Jiangxi, Anhui, Sichuan, Hubei and Hunan in China, and grows wild in Jiangxi, Hunan, Zhejiang, Sichuan and other places. Let us take a look below at Atractylodes macrocephala seed prices and growing methods!

How much does a jin of Atractylodes macrocephala seeds cost?

The price of Atractylodes macrocephala seeds is about 30-50 yuan per jin, but it varies depending on variety, quality, place of origin and purchase quantity. Atractylodes macrocephala prefers a cool climate and fears high temperature and high humidity. It is not strict about soil requirements, but well-drained, deep slightly acidic, alkaline and light clay soil is best. If the soil is too fertile, the seedlings grow too vigorously and tend to bolt and flower in the same year, affecting medicinal quality. It is propagated by seed, and in production the seedling-raising and transplanting method is mainly used.

Sowing methods for Atractylodes macrocephala

1. Seed treatment: Atractylodes macrocephala seeds should be plump and disease-free. From Qingming to Guyu, soak them in room-temperature water for 24 hours, cover with a damp cloth and pregerminate for 4-6 days. When the seeds show white, take them out and wash them clean with clear water, then dress the seeds with a 10% quintozene solution for disinfection and they are ready for sowing.

2. Seedbed preparation: For the Atractylodes macrocephala seedbed, choose yellow clay soil with a slight admixture of sand that gets morning sun, avoids afternoon sun, is sheltered from wind and has a cool climate. One month before sowing, apply 400 kg of organic fertilizer per mu, turn it into the soil, level and harrow the field, and make raised beds 1.5-2 m wide.

3. Sowing method: Sow Atractylodes macrocephala from late March to early April by dibbling, sowing 2-3 seeds per hole, then cover with fine loess, smooth it with a bamboo broom, and cover with a layer of thatch on top to prevent rain impact and soil compaction. Each mu requires 3.5 kg of seed.

4. Seedbed management: After sowing, Atractylodes macrocephala seedlings emerge successively from 10 days to half a month later. Weed frequently, and hoe out overly dense weak seedlings in batches. At the same time pay attention to pests and diseases. In dry weather, it is best to shade with bamboo branches or tree branches, cover the rows with grass, and water in the morning and evening to resist drought; watering should be even.

Growing methods for Atractylodes macrocephala

1. Land selection and preparation: For growing Atractylodes macrocephala, choose fertile, loose, deep sandy loam with good drainage and a planting interval of more than 4 years. After deep plowing and disinfection, apply 400 kg of organic fertilizer and 50 kg of superphosphate per mu, make raised beds 2 m wide, and open drainage ditches well.

2. Timely transplanting: Transplant Atractylodes macrocephala from December to early January of the following year, opening holes at a plant and row spacing of 18×21 cm, with the basic seedling number per mu controlled at 9000-11000 plants. Plant straight into the holes, not sideways, and after planting cover the hole surface with fine soil about 5 cm thick.

3. Intertillage and weeding: During the seedling stage of Atractylodes macrocephala, weeds can only be pulled by hand. After May, the seedling framework gradually grows larger, and intertillage and earthing up can be done 3 times from May to August. Intertillage should be done by thin hoeing and shallow removal; weeds close to the roots should be pulled by hand. After heavy rain, immediately loosen the surface soil to let air in and reduce field humidity.

4. Reasonable topdressing: For the seedling-promoting fertilizer of Atractylodes macrocephala, after emergence in April use 100 kg of organic compound fertilizer diluted with 3 times its volume of water, adding 0.05 kg of urea per carrying pole. For the seedling-strengthening fertilizer, use 200 kg of organic compound fertilizer per mu in May. For the high-yield fertilizer, after bud removal use 300 kg of organic compound fertilizer plus 1 times its volume of water.

5. Removing flower buds: The flower buds of Atractylodes macrocephala are basically formed by mid-July. Within 25 days, remove the flower buds other than those kept for seed in 2-3 batches, then spray a 2% superphosphate aqueous solution. If no seeds are to be kept, remove all flower buds to help increase yield.

Pest and disease control for Atractylodes macrocephala

1. Root rot

[Damage] It generally occurs in rainy spring and midsummer, rotting outward from the roots, while the aboveground part gradually withers.

[Control] Before planting, soak the rhizomes in 500 times diluted 25% carbendazim wettable powder for 12-24 hours. If diseased plants are found, immediately pull them out and move away the surrounding soil to burn them in a centralized place. Disinfect the diseased holes with quicklime, and after loosening the soil on a sunny day, spray Bordeaux mixture at 1:1:2.

2. Damping-off

[Damage] Yellow-brown lesions appear on the roots of affected Atractylodes macrocephala plants, then the lesions expand and the diseased plants lodge and die.

[Control] Pay attention to drainage. In the early stage of the disease, irrigate with 1000 times diluted 50% carbendazim wettable powder or irrigate with a transplanting spirit mixture.

3. Southern blight

[Damage] It generally occurs in the high-temperature season. Once it occurs, it spreads extremely quickly. If not stopped in time, all plants can die within a few days. The roots rot from the outside inward, white hyphae or mycelial fuzz appear on the rotting parts, and the aboveground part gradually turns yellow, wilts and scorches.

[Control] Rotate with gramineous crops, select robust seedlings, and before planting irrigate with 1000 times diluted 50% carbendazim for disinfection. In the early stage of the disease, spray 100 g of yufulling per mu diluted in 50 kg of water.

4. Dry rot

[Damage] It begins to occur from late April to early May. After seedlings are affected, yellow-brown lesions appear at the base of the stems, then the lesions expand, becoming dark brown, dry, shrunken and sunken. In severe cases, the diseased plants lodge and die.

[Control] Loosen the soil promptly after rain to prevent soil compaction. In the early stage of the disease, irrigate the diseased plants with 600 times diluted 50% carbendazim or 1000 times diluted 50% thiophanate-methyl.

5. Mosaic disease

[Damage] It occurs more frequently in June. After plants are affected, growth vigor weakens, internodes shorten, branching increases, leaves become small and shrunken, edges become wavy, leaves show yellow-green alternating mosaic blistering, rhizomes become deformed and thin, and quality deteriorates.

[Control] Use 3000 times diluted 2.5% deltamethrin or 20% fenvalerate to kill aphids on Atractylodes macrocephala plants and surrounding weeds, reducing the source of the virus.