Introduction to the cultivation methods, root prices, and effects and functions of pokeweed

Pokeweed is found from southwest to northeast China, and also in Korea, Japan and India. It is highly vigorous and often grows wild at the foot of mountains, in forests, along roadsides and around houses, and is distributed across plains, hills and mountains. So, how is pokeweed cultivated? How much does the root cost per jin? What are its effects and functions?

How is pokeweed cultivated?

1. Field management: After pokeweed seedlings are thinned, or in cases of severe drought, water twice in succession; when soil moisture is suitable, loosen the soil and weed shallowly to keep the soil surface loose, moist and free of weeds. Pokeweed flowers from June to August; except for plants kept for seed, cut off all flower stalks to reduce nutrient consumption. To help pokeweed overwinter safely and increase organic fertilizer in the soil, in late autumn and early winter spread chopped straw and chaff such as wheat and rice chaff at 6000 kg/ha in the field planted that year.

2. Reasonable topdressing: After pokeweed seedlings are thinned, spray the leaves with 0.5% urea solution, in small amounts several times, with a total amount not exceeding 225 kg/ha. The following spring, before the plants emerge, open shallow furrows between the two rows and bury and apply about 1200 kg/ha of potassium sulfate high-concentration compound fertilizer. From July to August, spray about 1800 kg/ha of 1% potassium sulfate or 0.3% potassium dihydrogen phosphate, once every 15 days, for 3 to 4 consecutive sprays.

3. Pest and disease control: Pokeweed has no diseases throughout its growth period. Because its stems and leaves are tender, the main pest is aphids, which can be controlled with 40% Keyaxing 600-fold solution or 25% pirimicarb 1000-fold solution, with maximum use frequencies of 3 times and 2 times respectively, and a safety interval of 7 days for both. Root rot sometimes causes damage; affected plants wither above ground in a green-wilt state, the rhizome turns brown, and in severe cases the root rots. Choose well-drained plots for planting, drain promptly during the rainy season, and disinfect the soil with 15 kg/ha of 70% quintozene.

How much does pokeweed root cost per jin?

It is understood that the price of pokeweed root is around ten-plus yuan per jin, and prices vary somewhat with different varieties in different regions.

What are the effects and functions of pokeweed?

1. As a green manure for fertilizing fields, pokeweed has a very notable fertilizing effect. Fresh stems and leaves generally contain 2%-3% nitrogen, 0.3%-0.6% phosphorus, 2%-4% potassium, and 9%-31% other dry matter. Production practice in many places has proven that using pokeweed stems and leaves as green manure gives better fertilizing results than other green grasses and green leaves. This is not only because pokeweed itself contains relatively high nutrient content, but also because its stems and leaves are tender and easy to decompose, making them readily absorbed and used by crops.

2. Pokeweed has a clear enrichment effect on manganese, with manganese content in the leaves reaching up to 19299 mg/kg. This discovery provides an economical and effective method for manganese pollution treatment.

3. There are two types of pokeweed. Those with purple-red stems are toxic and cannot be eaten, while pokeweed seedlings with green stems are a high-quality wild forest vegetable. The above-ground part of pokeweed generally sheds its leaves and withers in autumn and winter, then sprouts tender buds in spring of the second year, making it a superior wild vegetable variety. Because pokeweed is a perennial herbaceous plant, it can be harvested for many years after one planting, with a spring yield of more than 2 t per 667 sq m.

4. Pokeweed has a very good water- and soil-conserving effect, and is especially suitable for newly reclaimed red-soil terraced orchards.