Detailed Explanation of the Technical Requirements for Standardized Cultivation of Epimedium
Technical Requirements for Standardized Cultivation of Epimedium
1 Suitable Conditions for Standardized Cultivation and Protection-Tending Sites
I.1 Suitable Growing Conditions for Epimedium wushanense and Epimedium acuminatum
Plants of the genus Epimedium are shade plants and must avoid direct sunlight throughout their entire growth period. They grow naturally in semi-shaded environments such as shrublands, under open forests, or at forest edges on low and mid-elevation mountain slopes; Epimedium on shady slopes is noticeably superior to that on sunny slopes; Epimedium in ravine humus soil is tall and robust. Their soil requirements are also relatively strict: neutral to slightly acidic or slightly alkaline, loose loam or sandy loam rich in humus and organic matter is best. If the soil is compacted and the ground is bare, it is unfavorable for Epimedium growth.
1, 2 Selection of Demonstration Bases for Epimedium wushanense and Epimedium acuminatum
The establishment of Epimedium demonstration bases for standardized cultivation and protection-tending under this protocol must be in the most suitable areas for the growth of Epimedium wushanense and Epimedium acuminatum, and must have correspondingly suitable ecological and environmental conditions. According to GAP requirements, the atmospheric environment, soil environment, and irrigation water should meet the above national standard requirements (atmosphere and soil should reach national standard Grade II). Select sites far from main highways and pollution sources, with convenient transportation, and a slope of<45。，连片或相对连片，阴坡或具自然荫蔽条件，照度2000～2300Lux。近水源，灌溉方便，土层深厚，肥沃、疏松、富含腐殖质和有机质，保水保肥性能良好，土壤酸碱度适中的壤土、砂壤土或轻粘土。
Natural conditions for the growth of Epimedium wushanense: altitude 700-1100 m, mid-subtropical humid climate zone, annual average temperature 15.0-16.0°C, accumulated temperature at ≥10°C of 5000-5500°C, winter minimum temperature -5 to 9°C, annual rainfall 1300 mm, frost-free period 285 days. The soil is yellow earth. In semi-shaded and humid environments under open forests or at forest edges, in humus-rich and shaded-humid zones, economic fruit tree woodlands, and some woody medicinal plant cultivation sites, Epimedium wushanense is also suitable for cultivation.
Natural conditions for the growth of Epimedium acuminatum: altitude 300-1800 m, mid-subtropical humid climate zone, most suitable in the mild and humid areas at altitude 750-1300 m. In this region, the annual average temperature is 13.2-15.0°C, the average temperature of the coldest month is 4-6°C, the average temperature of the hottest month is 23-25°C, the accumulated temperature at ≥10°C is 4000-4500°C, the annual rainfall is 1300 mm, and the frost-free period is 280 days. The soil is yellow earth. The cultivation environment is the same as that for Epimedium wushanense. The demonstration bases for semi-wild standardized cultivation through protection-tending of Epimedium wushanense or Epimedium acuminatum must also be places where their wild populations are relatively concentrated and form contiguous patches, with thriving growth and a high fruiting rate of the Epimedium population. Within suitable areas for Epimedium, combined standardized cultivation and protection-tending is especially favorable for production, making it easiest to obtain high-quality, high-yield Epimedium medicinal material.
2 Propagation Materials and Propagation Methods
2.1 Identification of Propagation Materials
The propagation materials of this operating protocol are seedlings of Epimedium wushanense or Epimedium acuminatum with rhizomes, and their underground rhizomes bearing buds. Seeds may be used to breed seedling plants.
The propagation materials of Epimedium wushanense or Epimedium acuminatum are mainly wild seedlings of Epimedium wushanense or Epimedium acuminatum with rhizomes; their underground rhizomes bearing buds or artificially bred seedling plants from seeds may also be used.
2.3 Improved Variety Breeding and Seedling Raising
2.3.1 Improved Variety NurseryWhere the source of Epimedium wushanense or Epimedium acuminatum is clear and the purity of Epimedium wushanense or Epimedium acuminatum is respectively above 95% (whether wild or in artificially bred seedling plant fields), each may separately serve as a seed collection nursery for its improved variety.
2.3.2 Seedling Nursery After identification, the rhizomes or seeds of Epimedium wushanense or Epimedium acuminatum are used as their seedling materials, and rhizome seedling raising or seed seedling raising is carried out respectively.
For the rhizome seedling nursery substrate of Epimedium wushanense or Epimedium acuminatum, humus soil is best, followed by vegetable garden soil; for rhizome treatment, disinfection with a 200-fold "Shixing" solution is best.
For the seed seedling nursery substrate of Epimedium wushanense or Epimedium acuminatum, humus soil is also best, followed by vegetable garden soil; for seed collection, preservation, and treatment, see details under the sexual propagation section.
At present, the propagation techniques for Epimedium wushanense or Epimedium acuminatum are mainly asexual propagation (division propagation or rhizome propagation), supplemented by sexual propagation.
2.4 Asexual Propagation
(1) Seed selection and seedling treatment Select cloudy days to dig up robust perennial wild plants of Epimedium wushanense or Epimedium acuminatum, and divide and grade them according to the natural growth state of the underground creeping rhizomes and sprouting conditions. Each plant should carry 2-3 shoots or 1-2 buds; cut off the aboveground parts, leaving a length of 5-10 cm; cut off overly long fibrous roots, leaving a length of 3-5 cm; remove dead and withered branches and leaves, and tie into small bundles for later planting. During the division process, division should be carried out according to the developmental condition of each plant's underground rhizome; do not force division, so as to avoid damaging the roots, otherwise it is unfavorable for the sprouting of seedling plants.
When selecting seedlings from the rhizome seedling nursery of Epimedium wushanense or Epimedium acuminatum, seedlings can be lifted when the plants grow to 10-13 cm, and then treated as above for transplanting and field planting; the selected seedlings should also remove the weak and retain the strong, remove the diseased and retain the healthy.
After the seedlings are collected, they should be treated and transplanted for field planting in a timely manner; if they cannot be treated and transplanted for field planting in time, they should be heeled in or stored in a shady and humid place.
(2) Transplanting and field planting The time for transplanting and field planting is from late October to late March of the following spring, when the underground tubers of Epimedium wushanense or Epimedium acuminatum are near sprouting. The transplanting and field planting method may use furrow planting or hole planting, with row spacing and plant spacing of 20 cm x 20-25 cm, depth 10-15 cm, seeding rate per hectare 1120-1500 kg, 90,000-120,000 holes per hectare, and basal fertilizer application per hectare of 30,000 kg. If fertilizer is applied by spot application, the fertilizer should be thoroughly mixed with the soil before planting; never plant the plants directly on the fertilizer. When planting, the root system should be spread out, so as to avoid "root pressing" affecting root extension and the sprouting of daughter buds. Cover with 5 cm of soil, press firmly, so that the root system is in full contact with the soil, facilitating sprouting. After planting, water thoroughly to settle the roots. During transplanting and field planting, if there are surplus seedlings (or surplus cut rhizomes), they may be planted in shady, humid plots rich in humus, for use in replanting and filling gaps. The time from lifting seedlings to transplanting and field planting should preferably not exceed 7 days.
2.5 Sexual Propagation
(1) Seed collection and preservation In May-June, the seeds of Epimedium wushanense or Epimedium acuminatum successively mature. When the capsules turn from green to yellow and dorsal dehiscence appears, and most seeds are mature, they should be harvested. If harvested too late, the seeds are lost; if too early, the seeds are not yet mature and the seed germination rate is low or they may not germinate at all. When harvesting, cut off together with the infructescence and thresh in a cool, dry indoor place. Each capsule contains 11-15 seeds.
(2) Seed treatment and seedling raising Use warm water seed soaking, place at room temperature, and maintain seed moisture; the germination rate can reach 45%. Sow the seeds of Epimedium wushanense or Epimedium acuminatum collected in the current year, stored at room temperature, and treated into a humus soil seedbed, cover with about 1 cm of soil, frequently maintain surface moisture, and pay attention to observing seed germination and seedling growth. After emergence, during the period from March to June, the seedling height can reach 2-5 cm, with 1-3 leaves per plant.
(3) Heeling-in and hardening of seedlings When seedlings grow to 3-6 cm in the sowing seedbed and have 1-2 true leaves, they can be lifted and heeled in in a heeling-in bed inside a shade shed. When heeling in, plant on cloudy days at a density of 3 cm x 4 cm. When heeling in, also pay attention to the planting depth, generally about 2 cm, and press the roots firmly so that the roots are in full contact with the soil, then water thoroughly to settle the roots.
(4) Transplanting and field planting From late October to late March of the following spring, when the seedlings are 8-10 cm tall and have 2-3 true leaves, seedlings can successively be taken from the nursery for transplanting and field planting. The transplanting and field planting methods and precautions are the same as those for the above asexual propagation transplanting and field planting.
3 Cultivation and Protection-Tending Management
3.1 Land Preparation or Clearing of Cultivation Bases and Tending Bases According to the suitable condition requirements for standardized cultivation and conservation-tending sites of Epimedium wushanense or Epimedium acuminatum, after selecting bases that meet the relevant GAP requirements, land preparation or clearing should be carried out respectively according to the following methods.
Prepare land in September-October, with fine plowing and harrowing (deep plowing should be 20-30 cm), and in conjunction with land preparation, apply 15,000-45,000 kg of organic fertilizer per hectare as basal fertilizer to accelerate soil enrichment and maturation. Basal fertilizer may also be applied by spot application or furrow application at planting. Harrow fine, level, and make beds; bed width 1-2 m, height 20 cm, working paths between beds 30 cm, with drainage ditches opened around the perimeter; isolation belts must be set between different varieties. If the selected site is bare and has no shading conditions, tall-stalk crops such as corn or other woody medicinal plants may be intercropped to create shady and humid conditions for Epimedium growth. If the selected base is sloped land or virgin wasteland, during land preparation it is advisable to first cut weeds, pile them centrally for composting, and retain trees and shrubs as shading conditions. When cultivating, contour cultivation must be strictly followed.
For contiguous protection-tending bases of Epimedium wushanense or Epimedium acuminatum, a protection-tending and semi-wild cultivation plan and implementation scheme should also be formulated according to the actual conditions of the base. Its contents mainly include site clearing and land preparation, pruning branches and cutting vines, replanting and weeding, shading and tending, and road building, house construction, management, and protection. Under normal circumstances, in addition to the retained natural trellis trees and tree species that can produce timber, wild plants that compete with Epimedium wushanense or Epimedium acuminatum for fertilizer, water, and shading should also be cleared.