How much do Plantago asiatica seeds cost? Detailed guide to planting methods
Plantago asiatica, also known as Pingcheqian, plantain, ox-tongue vegetable, etc., is the dried mature seed of Plantago asiatica or Plantago depressa of the Plantaginaceae family. It is distributed throughout the country, often growing in grasslands, riverbanks, ditch edges, meadows, fields and roadsides. As a medicine it has the effects of promoting diuresis and treating stranguria, draining dampness and stopping diarrhea, clearing the liver and improving eyesight, and clearing heat and resolving phlegm. Let us now take a look at Plantago asiatica seed prices and planting methods!
How much does one jin of Plantago asiatica seeds cost?
The price of Plantago asiatica seeds is about 45 to 80 yuan per jin, but prices vary depending on the quality, variety, place of origin and purchase quantity of the seeds. Plantago asiatica is generally propagated by seed and has strong adaptability. It can be seen everywhere from south to north in China, in mountain fields, roadsides and riverbanks. It is cold-resistant and drought-resistant, and is not strict about soil requirements. It grows well in warm, moist, sunny, sandy fertile soil. Slightly acidic sandy alluvial loam is better. The usual seeding rate is 0.5 to 1 jin per mu.
What varieties of Plantago asiatica are there?
1. Plantago major: leaves ovate or broadly ovate, petiole base often enlarged into a sheath shape, spike inflorescence, 7 to 15 seeds. Mainly produced in Hebei, Liaoning, Shanxi, Sichuan and other places, and also produced in Heilongjiang, Inner Mongolia, Jilin, Qinghai, Shandong and other places.
2. Plantago depressa: leaves oblong or elliptic-lanceolate, all leaves basal, spike inflorescence, capsule circumscissile, 4 to 5 seeds. Distributed in Heilongjiang, Jilin, Liaoning, Hebei, Shandong, Shanxi, Shaanxi, Gansu, Inner Mongolia, Qinghai and other places.
Sowing methods for Plantago asiatica
1. Land selection and preparation: For planting Plantago asiatica, moist and relatively fertile sandy loam is best. Land preparation should be careful, plow 15 to 20 cm, break up clods and make beds, and apply 4000 kg of organic base fertilizer per mu.
2. Timely sowing: The drill sowing method for Plantago asiatica is simple, saving labor and effort. Open shallow furrows 1 to 1.5 cm deep, cover with a little soil after sowing, just enough so the seeds are not visible, and press once, which helps the seeds germinate.
3. Chemical seed dressing: When sowing Plantago asiatica, to ensure the seedling rate, 25% carbendazim powder can be used for seed dressing and disinfection, and phoxim mixed with fine sand can be scattered on the ground to control underground pests.
4. Post-sowing management: Plantago asiatica seeds germinate slowly. If the soil is dry, spray water once 2 to 3 days after sowing. The water flow should be small. After watering, shallowly loosen the dry surface soil to avoid exposing the seeds. Usually seedlings emerge 10 to 15 days after sowing.
Planting methods for Plantago asiatica
1. Thinning and weeding: Plantago asiatica seeds are tiny, and growth after emergence is slow, so it is easily suppressed by weeds. Therefore, weeds should be removed promptly during the seedling stage. Generally, loosen the soil and weed 3 to 4 times a year.
2. Reasonable topdressing: Plantago asiatica is generally topdressed 3 times. The first time in May, apply 1500 kg of thin human and livestock manure water per mu. The second time in early July, apply 10 kg of diammonium phosphate per mu. The third time after seed collection, apply 1500 kg of barnyard manure per mu in furrows.
3. Pest and disease control: The main disease of Plantago asiatica is powdery mildew. A layer of gray-white powder appears on the surface or back of the leaves, and finally the leaves wither and die. In the early stage of the disease, spray 50% thiophanate-methyl 1000-fold solution for control.
4. Harvesting and processing
① Seed harvest: Plantago asiatica can be harvested when the fruit shells on the lower part of the spike begin to turn light brown, the fruit shells in the middle begin to turn yellow, and the upper fruits have finished flowering. It is best to harvest in the morning or on cloudy days. After the seeds are sun-dried, store them in a dry place.
② Whole-plant harvest: When Plantago asiatica seedlings grow to 6 to 7 leaves and 13 to 17 cm high, they can be harvested for use as a vegetable. At the late stage of vigorous growth and before the booting stage, when the spike has emerged to the same length as the leaves and has not yet flowered, the medicinal efficacy is highest, and the whole plant can be harvested.