Detailed Explanation of Isatis Root Seed Prices and Planting Methods
Isatis root is a common traditional Chinese medicinal herb, also known as woad, mountain indigo, large indigo root, etc. It is a biennial or perennial herbaceous plant of the genus Isatis in the Brassicaceae family, divided into North Isatis Root and South Isatis Root. North Isatis Root comes from the root of the Brassicaceae plant Isatis indigotica (woad), while South Isatis Root comes from the rhizome of the Acanthaceae plant Baphicacanthus cusia (Assam indigo). Let us now take a look at isatis root seed prices and planting methods!
How much does one jin of isatis root seeds cost?
The price of isatis root seeds is approximately 20 to 30 yuan per jin, but prices vary considerably depending on seed variety, quality, place of origin and purchase quantity. The seed usage per mu for isatis root is 4 to 5 jin. Planting is generally divided into spring sowing and summer sowing. Spring sowing can harvest Daqingye (woad leaves) twice. In the south, that is areas south of the Huai River, the yield per mu is 250 kg of roots and 300 kg of Daqingye. In areas north of the Yellow River, the yield per mu is 280 kg of roots and 220 kg of Daqingye. In Northeast and Northwest China, the yield per mu is 350 kg of roots and 200 kg of Daqingye.
What varieties of isatis root are there?
1. Isatis Root: This is the dried root of the plant Isatis indigotica (woad). It is slender and cylindrical, with a light grayish-yellow surface that is rough, bearing longitudinal wrinkles and transverse lenticel-like scars, as well as branch root scars. The root head is slightly swollen, with a concave depression at the top, surrounded by dark green leaf stalk remnants. Thicker roots also show dense wart-like protrusions and grayish-brown leaf stalk scars arranged in a ring pattern. The texture is firm yet brittle; the cross-section shows a yellowish-white to light brown bark portion and a yellow xylem. Roots that are straight, thick and sturdy, firm, and highly starchy are considered best.
2. Baphicacanthus Root: This is the dried rhizome and roots of the plant Baphicacanthus cusia (Assam indigo). It is grayish-brown. The rhizome is cylindrical, with a short aerial stem at the upper part; the aerial stem has opposite branching. The rhizome has swollen nodes, from which slightly thicker rhizomes and slender fibrous roots grow. The roots are slender and slightly curved, with fine wrinkles on the surface. The rhizome and aerial stem are brittle and break easily, with an uneven, slightly fibrous cross-section and a large pith in the center. The root portion is relatively pliable. Thick, long strips of uniform thickness are considered best.
Sowing Methods for Isatis Root
1. Soil selection: Isatis root is a deep-rooted plant. It is suited to a warm and humid climate, is drought-tolerant and cold-resistant, and fears waterlogging. After water immersion, the roots rot easily. It can be grown in general soil, but it is best to choose loose soil with good drainage for planting.
2. Land preparation and fertilization: For isatis root planting land, combine deep plowing and land preparation with reasonable fertilization. Apply 3000 to 4000 kg of farmyard manure, 15 kg of diammonium phosphate, and 4 kg of biological potassium fertilizer per mu. Spread evenly over the land and deep-plow more than 30 cm, then make flat beds 1 m wide.
3. Sowing time: In the north, isatis root is suitable for spring sowing and should be sown at an appropriately late time. If sowing is too early, bolting and flowering occur early, which not only causes reduced yield but also lowers the quality of the isatis root. The most suitable time is from April 20 to 30.
4. Sowing method: Before sowing isatis root, soak the seeds in warm water at 40 to 50 degrees C for 4 hours, then remove them and mix evenly with plant ash. Open furrows on the bed surface, spread the seeds evenly into the furrows, cover with soil and press lightly, and water appropriately to maintain moisture. With suitable temperature, seedlings emerge in 7 to 10 days.
Planting Methods for Isatis Root
1. Thinning and final spacing: After isatis root seedlings emerge, when the seedlings are 7 to 8 cm tall, thin them to a plant spacing of 6 to 10 cm, removing weak ones and keeping strong ones, and fill in gaps where seedlings are missing. When the seedlings are 10 to 12 cm tall, combine cultivation and weeding, and set the final spacing at 6 to 9 cm between plants and 10 to 15 cm between rows.
2. Cultivation and weeding: After isatis root seedlings emerge, cultivate shallowly; after final spacing, cultivate. When weeds have 3 to 5 leaves, a chemical herbicide of the quizalofop-p-ethyl type may be selected and sprayed to control grass-family weeds, using 40 mL of pesticide per mu, diluted with 50 kg of water for spraying.
3. Topdressing and watering: For isatis root grown mainly for harvesting Daqingye, topdress 3 times each year. The first time, after planting, apply 10 to 15 kg of urea per mu; the 2nd and 3rd times are after harvesting Daqingye. For isatis root grown mainly for harvesting roots, apply less nitrogen fertilizer and appropriately apply phosphorus and potassium fertilizers and plant ash.
4. Disease and pest control
(1) Downy mildew: In the early stage of downy mildew, spray 70% mancozeb at 500 times dilution for control, or spray with 800 times dilution of DuPont Curzate for control, once every 7 to 10 days, for 2 to 3 consecutive sprays.
(2) Leaf blight: In the early stage of leaf blight, spray 50% carbendazim at 1000 times dilution for control, once every 7 to 10 days, for 2 to 3 consecutive sprays. At the same time, apply more phosphorus and potassium fertilizers.
(3) Root rot: In the early stage of root rot, drench the planting holes with 50% carbendazim at 1000 times dilution or thiophanate-methyl at 1000 times dilution, and pull out and remove diseased plants.
(4) Cabbage white butterfly: The cabbage white butterfly mainly damages leaves. It begins to occur in May, with especially severe damage in June. It can be controlled by spraying with pyrethroid pesticides.