Key Points and Methods of Fertilization Techniques for Pinellia ternata
Pinellia ternata is a common plant that grows in southern China. Its underground tubers are an important Chinese medicinal herb and have their own unique role in traditional Chinese medicine treatment. In the past, wild Pinellia ternata was dug from the mountains for medicinal use, but its limited reproductive capacity could not meet the huge demand, so in recent years artificial cultivation has also been advocated. However, how to fertilize during cultivation to promote growth requires someone to explain.
1. Fertilizer Requirements
The rhizomes of Pinellia ternata mainly grow in the shallow soil layer within 10 cm, so when fertilizing it is not necessary to fertilize with deep plowing; it is only necessary to fertilize in the soil layer about 5 cm below the soil surface. Pinellia ternata likes fertilizer and has a relatively large demand for fertilizer. Its fertilizer requirements differ at different stages, and the amounts also differ, so it can be applied accordingly. Pinellia ternata mainly takes root through tubers, so it is best to apply fertilizer in water, which is easy to absorb.
2. Fertilization Techniques
Base fertilizer is applied before planting. Generally, farmyard manure made by composting fallen leaves, crop straw, and animal manure together until rotted is best. About 500 to 600 jin of base fertilizer is applied per mu, which can greatly improve the soil structure. Topdressing can be done multiple times a year, and it is best to decide according to the growth conditions. Generally, topdressing is done once at the seedling stage to promote the stable growth of young seedlings and the growth of the aboveground parts. In summer, there is a large amount of rainfall or irrigation, which will carry away the nutrients in the soil, so a large amount of topdressing is needed to supplement nutrients, mainly phosphorus and potassium fertilizer and calcium fertilizer, while also supplementing soil trace elements to meet the growth needs of the tubers. The third topdressing is between September and October. At this time, some specially prepared fertilizer is needed to specifically ensure the expansion of the tubers, about 1 to 3 jin applied per mu. When fertilizing, it is necessary to keep a distance of 10 cm from the base of the stem so as not to burn the stem.
3. Fertilization Methods
Generally, planting is done in ridges and rows, so the most common fertilization method is to dig two small furrows about 5 cm wide on both sides of the ridge row for fertilization, which is convenient, quick, and even. Alternatively, small holes can be dug beside each plant for hole application, which gives the best and most complete absorption. Or it can be dissolved in water and used together with irrigation, which takes effect fastest.
The artificial cultivation of Pinellia ternata has not been carried out for long, so there is still no relatively complete experience in various management and fertilization techniques for non-production, and everything needs to be accumulated through practice. However, the existing experience must also be mastered well.