Detailed Explanation of Licorice Propagation Methods and Cultivation Management Techniques

Propagation methods: use seeds, rhizomes, and division propagation.

1. Site selection and land preparation: sandy soil and loose red loam soil are suitable; apply 2500 kg of farmyard manure per 667 sq m, deep plow 40-50 cm in autumn, rake fine and level, and make high ridges with a ridge width of 40-50 cm and a ditch width of 30-35 cm.

2. Seed propagation: because licorice seed coats are hard and thick, making emergence difficult, before sowing mix crushed glass with an equal amount of seeds and grind for half an hour, giving a germination rate of about 85%; or mix with 3 times the seed volume of wet sand and store for one to two months, which can accelerate seed germination; or before sowing soak the seeds in 60°C warm water for 4-6 h, remove them and cover with a wet cloth, rinse with clean water twice a day, and sow when the seeds crack. From late March to early April, open two shallow furrows 1.5-2 cm deep on the prepared ridges, sow the seeds evenly into the furrows, cover with soil and water, and seedlings can emerge half a month after sowing. Sowing on ridges is better than sowing in flat beds because it facilitates drainage, ventilation, and light penetration, and the roots grow deeper. If sowing before winter, scarification is not needed. The sowing rate is 2.5 kg per 667 sq m.

3. Rhizome propagation: for rhizome propagation, harvest licorice in spring or autumn, select the thick roots for medicinal use, cut the thinner rhizomes into small sections 15 cm long, each section with root buds and fibrous roots, open two furrows about 10 cm deep on the ridge, place the rhizomes flat in the furrows at a plant spacing of 15 cm, cover with soil and water, and keep the soil moist. Use 75-100 kg of planting stock per 667 sq m.

4. Division propagation: many new plants often sprout around the mother licorice plant, and they can be dug out and transplanted in spring or autumn.

Cultivation management: for seed propagation, thin the seedlings once when they emerge uniformly, and when the seedlings are 5-6 cm tall, thin to a plant spacing of 10-15 cm. During the growing period, loosen the soil and weed in a timely manner, and water during drought. Each autumn, apply 2000-2500 kg of compost per 667 sq m, add some phosphate fertilizer, open furrows between the rows along the ridges, and cover with soil and water after application.