Planting Techniques and Field Management Key Points for Pepperweed Seed (Tinglizi)

Pepperweed seed is a traditional Chinese medicinal herb. It is the seed of pepperweed, a plant of the genus Draba in the Brassicaceae family. It has the effects of purging the lungs and directing qi downward, eliminating phlegm and relieving asthma, and promoting diuresis to reduce swelling. It is mainly used to treat conditions such as asthma and cough with copious phlegm, edema with fluid accumulation in the chest and abdomen, and chronic cor pulmonale. So how should it be planted? Let's learn about it together.

1. Growth Habits

Pepperweed seed prefers to grow in a warm, humid environment with ample sunlight. It also has certain requirements for soil, requiring loose, fertile, moist soil with good drainage. Before planting, it is best to plow the soil multiple times so that it fully weathers. Then, during the final plowing, apply decomposed farmyard manure or organic fertilizer as a base fertilizer according to the soil fertility status, which can provide sufficient nutrients for plant growth. After fertilizing, level and rake the soil flat, ready for sowing.

2. Sowing

Pepperweed is an annual or biennial herbaceous plant, so it can be planted in both spring and autumn, but the best sowing time is from September to November in autumn. Sowing during this period gives the highest seed germination rate and the best growth. When sowing, select seeds of excellent varieties that are plump. You can use the hole sowing or drill sowing method. For hole sowing, open holes on the seedbed at a spacing of 20×40 cm, sow a few seeds per hole, cover with soil and water. For drill sowing, open shallow furrows on the seedbed at a row spacing of 40 cm, evenly scatter the seeds into the furrows, and likewise cover with soil and water.

3. Field Management

Generally, seedlings emerge 20-30 days after sowing. Weeds should be removed promptly after emergence to prevent them from affecting seedling growth. In addition, at 11-12 [leaves], thinning and replanting should be carried out along with weeding. Keep 4-5 strong seedlings per hole, and remove weak and diseased seedlings promptly. After overwintering, in February of the following year, carry out intertillage and weeding together with one topdressing, preferably with human excrement and urine. In the later stage, apply topdressing 1-2 times according to the different growth stages of the plants to promote robust growth and increase yield.

4. Pests and Diseases

Pepperweed seed has few pests and diseases. The common disease during cultivation is sclerotinia rot, a fungal disease that can infect plants from the seedling stage through the mature plant stage. It mainly damages stems, vines, and fruits. For prevention and control, strengthen field management, do a good job of cleaning the garden in winter to eliminate overwintering sources of infection, and select varieties with strong disease resistance when planting. When the disease occurs, spread a mixture of plant ash and slaked lime powder around the root system, or spray chemicals for control.

The above is an introduction to the planting techniques for pepperweed seed. We hope it helps you. If you want to learn more related knowledge, please follow us.