Key Technical Points for Intercropping Pinellia ternata in Woodland
Pinellia ternata, also known as three-leaf pinellia or ground-plant pinellia, is a perennial herbaceous plant with persistent roots in the Araceae family. Its tubers are used as medicine and have the functions of drying dampness and resolving phlegm, and descending adverse qi to stop vomiting. It is shade-tolerant, cold-tolerant, and afraid of sunlight; the seedlings fear heat, so it is suitable for intercropping with trees.
1 Propagation techniques
Pinellia ternata is generally propagated by underground corms and bulbils, and can also be propagated by seeds.
1.1 Corm propagation When harvesting corms around Cold Dew, select the smaller ones for seed, bury them in moist soil in a cool, ventilated place, and around Qingming of the second year, transplant them into the field at a row spacing of 10 cm x 6 cm. A transplanting depth of 3 cm is sufficient; at a soil temperature of 15°C-20°C, seedlings emerge in half a month, using 40-50 kg of seed per mu.
1.2 Bulbil propagation In summer and autumn, after the aboveground part withers, the bulbils under the leaf stalks have just matured and can be collected as seed. Open holes at 6-8 cm, sow 2 per hole, cover with 3 cm of soil, press lightly, apply an appropriate amount of phosphorus and potassium fertilizer, and keep moisture moderate. Bulbil propagation is currently the main method of propagating Pinellia ternata, with reliable germination and an early maturity period.
1.3 Seed propagation Select biennial Pinellia ternata, prepare the land and make beds around Qingming, sow on a trial basis in the beds at a row spacing of 8-10 cm, cover with about 2 cm of soil, press firm, then water so that it settles evenly into the ground, cover with wheat straw or rice straw, and keep moist. Remove the straw after seedlings emerge, using about 1.5 kg of seed per mu.
2 Cultivation techniques
2.1 Land selection and preparation Pinellia ternata has a relatively short root system and likes fertilizer, so it is best to plant it in sandy loam rich in humus. Before plowing the land, apply 2000 kg of decomposed organic fertilizer and 50 kg of ternary compound fertilizer per mu as base fertilizer, deep plow 20 cm, harrow fine and level, and make high beds 1.2 m wide.
2.2 Rational fertilization Fertilization should follow the principle of heavily applying base fertilizer, skillfully applying topdressing, and frequently applying foliar fertilizer. Heavy base fertilizer: when preparing the land, apply 50 kg of nitrogen-phosphorus-potassium ternary compound fertilizer and 2000-3000 kg of human and livestock manure per mu. Skillful topdressing: carry out the first topdressing in early to mid-June. Apply 5.0-7.5 kg of urea, and also apply 500-1000 kg of barnyard manure, then earth up after fertilization. Carry out the second topdressing in July, and remove flower buds. Frequently apply foliar fertilizer: every 15-20 days, spray foliar fertilizer such as potassium dihydrogen phosphate once on the leaves, which can promote the enlargement of tubers and bulbils.
2.3 Rational watering Pinellia ternata likes moisture. If water is insufficient and humidity is not enough, Pinellia ternata will show withered seedlings, greatly affecting yield. Especially from May to September, water in time to keep the soil moist and promote tuber growth of the plants.
2.4 Scientific weeding After the seedlings emerge completely, remove weeds in time, and shallow hoe between rows, with a depth not exceeding 3 cm. Pull weeds between plants by hand.
3 Pest and disease control
The main diseases are leaf spot, viral disease, and tuber rot, which can be controlled with carbendazim, chlorothalonil, and the like. In drought, pay attention to shading and watering; in the rainy season, pay attention to drainage to avoid waterlogging causing tuber rot. The main pests are red hawk moths and green caterpillars, which can be controlled with insecticides or caught by hand.
4 Harvesting and processing
When propagated by tubers and bulbils, it can be harvested in the same year or the second year. When propagated by seeds, it must be harvested after 3-4 years. Generally, from September to October, after the aboveground plants of Pinellia ternata wither, dig out the tubers, wash them, rub off the outer skin, and sun-dry them. Fresh and wet Pinellia ternata is highly toxic, so special care must be taken during processing. If the hands are exposed too much and poisoning occurs, it is best to apply ginger water; it will disappear on its own after 2 days. The water used to wash Pinellia ternata must never be discarded carelessly, otherwise it can harm people, livestock, and poultry.