Detailed Explanation of Rapid Propagation Technology for the Anti-Cancer Plant Hybrid Yew

Hybrid yew 8502 is one of more than ten cultivated lines of Taxus media (Taxus media), and its fast-growing nature and wide adaptability are superior to other lines, allowing it to be planted in most regions of China. Taxus media is one of the yews approved by the U.S. FDA for use in extracting the anti-cancer drug "paclitaxel." The paclitaxel content in the branches and leaves of 4- to 5-year-old Taxus media is higher than the "paclitaxel" content in the bark of natural yew trees grown for 70 to 80 years. The paclitaxel content of wild yews, including domestic varieties of yew, is generally between 0.004 and 0.01%, while the paclitaxel content of Taxus media is 0.03 to 0.06%, which is 8 to 10 times that of natural yew, and it can be planted in most regions of China. In addition, the yew is evergreen throughout the four seasons, with bright red fruit in autumn, giving a healthy and full appearance, tolerant of pruning, easy to shape, and of high horticultural value. As a shade-tolerant indoor potted health plant, yew is also becoming popular; it can both purify the air and have its leaves picked to make tea for disease prevention. The rapid propagation technology of yew is now

described as follows:

I. Seedbed and Substrate Preparation Seedbeds and plug tray seedling methods can both be used, but plug tray seedling raising is the most advantageous advanced seedling method.

Main advantages of plug tray seedling raising: 1. Effectively prevents disease infection; 2. Retains moisture and fertilizer, with fast and numerous roots; 3. Can be transplanted at any time or @#@136@#@, with no need for seedling recovery, and transplantation without setbacks.

Plug tray substrate formulation: by volume percentage: 60% grass peat, 20% vermiculite, 20% perlite. Additionally add 0.1% each of ferrous sulfate and zinc sulfate, dissolve in water and mix evenly. After mixing evenly, cover with plastic film and pile in high temperature for one week, then it is ready to be loaded into trays for use.

II. Collection and Treatment of Cuttings

1- to 8-year-old young trees are the best mother plants; the more tender the current-year branches, the stronger the rooting ability. Two-year-old branches can also be used, but the rooting time is extended by 20-30 days. Leafy softwood cuttings can be taken in spring, summer, and autumn during the plant's growth period. Current-year softwood cuttings taken before August have an 89% rooting rate in 35 days. In experiments, cuttings of 1-10 cm can all root normally, with no difference, and with proper later management can all form strong seedlings. JH2 and ABT2 are the most effective rooting agents. For large-scale rapid propagation, JH2 can be used to soak the whole plant directly for 1 hour, saving more than 30% of labor.

III. Seedbed Management

1. During the seedling period, always use shade netting with 40-50% light transmittance. Yew prefers shade, and shading is beneficial for growth and rooting.

2. Use a light-sensitive automatic seedling controller for automatic misting control during the seedling period. Adjust the misting interval at the strongest light to: 2 minutes for the first 30 days, 4 minutes for the next 30 days, and 8 minutes after 60 days. Set each effective misting duration to 15-20 seconds.

3. Carry out seedbed disinfection and nutrient supplementation once every 4 days.

IV. Seedling Transplantation

The timing of transplantation should be determined according to the transplantation method, environment, level, and so on. In principle, transplantation can be done at any time after rooting. For the sand bed seedling method, control water for hardening 12 days before transplantation and transplant when the root system has aged and become soft. For the plug tray seedling method, it is best to transplant when the root system has reached a certain length and the seedlings are not easily broken when pulled out. After transplanting, shade netting management is still required, and attention should be paid to watering and moisture retention within 2 weeks.