Ligusticum chuanxiong Price Trends and Detailed Planting Methods

Ligusticum chuanxiong, also known as xianguo, huxiong, xiongqiong, etc., is a perennial herbaceous plant of the genus Ligusticum in the Apiaceae family. It is mainly produced in Sichuan (Pengzhou City, though the authentic production area has now shifted somewhat), and is cultivated in Yunnan, Guizhou, Guangxi, Hubei, Jiangxi, Zhejiang, Jiangsu, Shaanxi, Gansu, Inner Mongolia, Hebei and other provinces and regions. Let's take a look at the price and planting methods of Ligusticum chuanxiong!

How much does Ligusticum chuanxiong cost per jin?

Note: Ligusticum chuanxiong is a well-known bulk commodity medicinal herb from Sichuan, both in ancient and modern times. Its price varies depending on product quality, place of origin, specification and market conditions. The above prices are for reference only. Please refer to the actual price when selling or purchasing.

Propagation Methods of Ligusticum chuanxiong

1. High-mountain ling cultivation: The main production areas in Sichuan generally use mountain areas to cultivate ling (propagation material) for planting in the flatland areas. From late December to mid-January of the following year, the Ligusticum chuanxiong in the flatland areas is dug up, the stems, leaves and fibrous roots are removed, and it is transported to the mountain areas for planting. It sprouts in early March, and in early August the stems are taken out and transported down the mountain to be used as seed material.

2. Flatland ling cultivation: Ligusticum chuanxiong planted in flatland areas can be cultivated on-site for ling. In March, "fuqiong" is taken and planted on-site, with management the same as high-mountain ling cultivation. In early July, the ling stems are harvested; those with prominent node discs are selected, the leaves and tender ling are removed, and they are tied into small bundles, stored in cellars for 20 to 30 days, and then planted.

3. Paddy-field ling cultivation: In mountain areas at an altitude of about 1000 m or in new production areas near areas without mountains, Ligusticum chuanxiong is mostly propagated using ling from the same field. Although this method can also produce relatively good ling, continuous use of same-field ling as seed for many years will lead to degeneration.

Planting Methods of Ligusticum chuanxiong

1. Land selection and preparation: Ligusticum chuanxiong should be cultivated in sunny, deep soil with good drainage, relatively high fertility, and neutral or slightly acidic soil. Before planting, remove all weeds, burn the grass into charcoal to use as fertilizer, plow the land and level it, then make beds 1.6 to 1.8 m wide according to the terrain and drainage conditions.

2. Timely planting: In mid-to-late August, plant Ligusticum chuanxiong on the prepared beds by opening furrows at a row spacing of 33 × 20 cm. At the same time, every 6 to 10 rows, plant one densely spaced row of ling in between rows to reserve for replanting. However, the ling must be planted shallowly, laid flat in the furrow with the bud facing upward, and pressed upright into the soil.

3. Cultivation and weeding: After planting Ligusticum chuanxiong, cover the ling with sieved fine compost or soil manure. About half a month after planting, when the seedlings have emerged uniformly, remove the covering grass. Cultivate and weed about once every 20 days. Where seedlings are missing, combine replanting with cultivation, and carry out the last cultivation and weeding while earthing up around the rhizomes.

4. Reasonable topdressing: Within 2 months after planting Ligusticum chuanxiong, concentrate topdressing 3 times. Apply 1.2 tons of farmyard manure, 30 kg of oil cake, 100 kg of plant ash, 25 kg of ammonium sulfate, 40 kg of superphosphate, and 10 kg of potassium sulfate per mu. Apply one more topdressing when the stems and leaves grow rapidly in spring.

5. Timely harvesting: For Ligusticum chuanxiong, digging in late May of the second year after planting is most appropriate. If too early, the underground rhizomes are not yet fully mature, resulting in low yield; if too late, the rhizomes are fully mature and prone to rotting underground. Harvesting should be done on sunny days.

Pest and Disease Control of Ligusticum chuanxiong

1. Leaf blight

[Damage] It mostly occurs from May to July. When the disease occurs, brown, irregular spots appear on the leaves, then spread to the whole leaf, causing the entire plant to wither and die.

[Control] In the early stage of the disease, spray 65% zineb 500 times dilution, or 50% Tuzet 1000 times dilution, or 1:1:100 Bordeaux mixture for control, once every 10 days, for 3 to 4 consecutive times.

2. Powdery mildew

[Damage] From late June to July, the disease becomes severe under high temperature and high humidity. It first occurs on the lower leaves, with grayish-white powdery mildew appearing on the leaves and stems, then gradually spreads upward. Later, small black spots appear on the diseased parts. In severe cases, the stems and leaves turn yellow and die.

[Control] After harvest, clean the field and burn the remaining diseased plants and leaves in a centralized manner. In the early stage of the disease, spray 25% triadimefon 1500 times dilution, or 50% thiophanate 1000 times dilution, once every 10 days, for 2 to 3 consecutive sprays.

3. Rot disease

[Damage] It occurs during the growing period and at harvest. The affected rhizomes rot internally, turning yellow-brown and watery, with a peculiar odor, becoming soft rot. After being affected during the growing period, the aboveground leaves gradually turn yellow and fall off.

[Control] After occurrence, immediately pull out the diseased plants and burn them in a centralized manner to prevent spread. Pay attention to drainage, especially in the rainy season; excessive rain and poor drainage lead to severe disease. At harvest and seed selection, remove diseased "fuqiong" and already rotted "ling".

4. Stem node moth

[Damage] In the early stage, the larvae damage the top of the stem. Later, the insects bore into the stem from the top and damage node by node until the entire plant withers and dies.

[Control] During the ling cultivation stage, spray 80% trichlorfon 100 to 150 times aqueous solution, and pay attention to controlling the first-generation larvae before the second instar.