Detailed Explanation of Key Techniques for Artificial Cultivation of Yew

Plants of the genus Taxus are widely distributed across the Northern Hemisphere. In China, apart from **, Ningxia, Qinghai, Inner Mongolia and other provinces and regions where no reports have been made, wild or introduced cultivation exists in all other provinces and regions. Paclitaxel extracted from yew has very significant medicinal value, especially demonstrating certain efficacy in treating cancer. In addition, it also has outstanding value in landscaping applications and bonsai development, and has recently attracted strong attention from nursery stock producers and operators in various regions. However, how can artificial cultivation be achieved to generate greater benefits?

Nursery site selection: Based on analysis of the distribution and climate data of wild yew, most regions of China can cultivate it, with Yunnan, Guizhou, Guangxi, Sichuan, and the Qinba Mountain areas of Shaanxi, Gansu, Hubei and Henan being optimal zones. The seedling nursery site should preferably be close to the cultivation site, chosen with convenient transportation, drainage and irrigation conditions, gentle and open terrain, fertile and well-aerated soil, good water and fertilizer retention, and no salinity or alkalinity, and other favorable site conditions. Open-air sites or sites under sparse arbor forest can both be used.

Cutting orchard management: Collect various yew seedlings or cutting-propagated seedlings that have survived from wild or introduced sources into the cutting orchard, with a planting density of 1 m or 0.8 m x 1.2 m, preferably 7,500 to 9,000 plants per hectare. Before winter or in early spring, cut back at 30 cm above ground level, and according to plant size, apply 0.05 to 0.1 kg of nitrogen-phosphorus-potassium compound fertilizer per plant in holes. During the vigorous growth period, that is, from May to July, topdressing should be applied 2 to 3 times, mainly with nitrogen fertilizer, with 75 to 150 kg of urea per hectare each time. In addition, 0.1% to 0.3% urea combined with potassium dihydrogen phosphate can be used for foliar spraying. Growth regulators such as 1 to 10 mg/L 6-benzyladenine and gibberellin can also be tried to promote bud break and branching. Given that yew prefers shade and humidity, and especially that young plants are sensitive to strong light and drought, tall-stalk crops such as corn and low-growing crops such as small green vegetables can be interplanted in the initial stage of orchard establishment. Water management should aim to maintain high air humidity and keep the soil moist without waterlogging.

Nursery planning: On plains, plan according to square fields, compatible with main roads and irrigation systems; on hills and mountains, build suitable terraced fields, reverse-slope terraces or fish-scale pits along contour lines. Equip a certain number of auxiliary buildings and establish a water supply and distribution system. Set up a shelterbelt at the windward position. Young yew trees prefer shade and humidity and are suitable for dense planting. Since the harvest is twigs and leaves, yield depends first on the amount of branching and second on density. Therefore, in addition to strengthening management to promote growth, planting density should also be increased, preferably 18,000 to 20,000 plants per hectare. To facilitate management and harvesting, a spacing of 0.4 m x 1.0 m is preferable.

Planting and orchard establishment: Before planting, seedlings should be graded by quality, requiring a complete and robust root system, branches and tips free of drying out, blackening or rot, plump buds, and no quarantine pests or diseases. Seedlings raised near the planting site and transplanted with a soil ball have a survival rate close to 100%. Seedlings that have lost considerable water during long-distance transport should have their roots soaked for a full day and night, fully absorb water, and then be planted. Using container seedlings helps protect the root system and improve the survival rate.

In the north, planting is preferably done in early spring when sap has not yet begun to flow, that is, before deciduous trees have sprouted; in the south, it is preferably done during the dormant period after new shoots stop growing in winter. Depending on local climate conditions, planting appropriately early is beneficial for root recovery and results in a high survival rate.

According to the plan, prepare the land 1 to 2 months before planting, dig strip ditches of 0.4 m x 0.4 m, apply organic fertilizer in the ditches at 10 kg per plant, mix evenly with topsoil, and mound it up. Place the seedling in, spread the roots out, adjust the position, fill in surface fertilizer soil, firm it layer by layer, and finally fill in subsoil. Build irrigation ditches 0.4 m wide and water immediately, watering thoroughly and deeply. After the water seeps down, the root collar should be level with the ground surface, then seal the soil to preserve moisture. Appropriate shading can improve the survival rate.

Cultivation management: Check survival status promptly and replant as needed. For transplanting large seedlings, it is better to use a soil ball or planting bags. The management techniques for pure plantation bases are basically the same as those for cutting orchard management. Because yew has a relatively shallow root system and prefers moisture, frequent watering to keep the rhizosphere moist is key to post-planting management. After small seedlings survive, cut off the main trunk at about 30 cm above ground level, preferably after planting is completed or around summer dormancy, which is beneficial for lateral branch sprouting. In the second year, manage in the same way. The branches cut off can be selected for use as cuttings. After the third year, new branches and leaves can be harvested each year as medicinal raw material.