Key Field Management Techniques for Motherwort Cultivation
Motherwort is a traditional Chinese medicinal herb. Since ancient times, it has been an important medicine for treating gynecological diseases. In modern times, its effects have been further developed, and it is one of the important raw materials for many Chinese patent medicines. Market demand is huge, and it is cultivated in many regions. Only by doing a good job in field management can high and excellent yields be obtained. Below, follow the editor to take a look at the field management techniques for motherwort.
1. Thinning and Replenishing Seedlings
Management during the seedling stage affects the growth condition of the plants. When the seedlings grow to 5 cm, thinning should begin. Thinning should be carried out 2 times successively, removing diseased and weak seedlings and keeping strong seedlings, to promote robust and uniform seedling growth. When the seedlings grow to 15-20 cm, final thinning should be done. For drill sowing, keep seedlings in a staggered pattern, controlling plant spacing at about 10 cm, while for hole sowing, keep 2-3 strong seedlings per hole. After thinning and final thinning, if missing or dead seedlings are found, replant them promptly.
2. Cultivation and Weeding
To promote robust seedling growth, timely cultivation and weeding are necessary. Cultivation loosens the soil and increases soil permeability, which can promote the growth and development of the seedling root system, while weeding should be done frequently so that there are no weeds in the field. For spring sowing, cultivation and weeding should be done promptly 3 times, usually together with thinning; for summer sowing, it should be done at the appropriate time according to the growth condition of the plants; for autumn sowing, the first time is done when the seedlings grow 3-4 true leaves, and in the following year three more cultivations and weedings are carried out, the same as for spring sowing. During cultivation, pay attention to the depth, which should not be too deep, so as not to damage the plant root system. It is best to hill up soil to protect the roots during one cultivation to prevent the plants from lodging.
3. Watering and Topdressing
Water once before each cultivation and weeding. This moistens the soil, facilitates weeding, and can also increase soil permeability. After each cultivation and weeding, apply topdressing once, mainly nitrogen fertilizer. Urea, ammonium sulfate, and cake fertilizer are all acceptable. After fertilizing, pay attention to watering to dilute the fertilizer concentration, so as not to burn the seedlings due to excessively high fertilizer concentration. Especially when applying cake fertilizer as topdressing, it should be crushed, diluted with water, and then applied. During the rainy season, drainage measures should be taken well to avoid root rot caused by water accumulation.
4. Pest and Disease Control
The diseases of motherwort include powdery mildew, sclerotinia rot, and mosaic disease. Among pests, aphids cause damage in spring and autumn, and cutworms damage the root system. When powdery mildew occurs, spray triadimefon for control; for sclerotinia rot, spray ruikumei, Bordeaux mixture, or junheli for control. Aphids can be controlled with chemical preparations, and cutworms can be captured manually or trapped by piling grass.
The above is an introduction to the field management techniques for motherwort. We hope it can help you. If you want to learn more related knowledge, please follow us.