A Detailed Guide to the Planting Methods and Key Technical Points for Andrographis paniculata

Andrographis paniculata (scientific name: Andrographis paniculata (Burm. f.) Nees), also known as Chuanlian Qiuliu, Yijianxi, Lanhe Lian, Kudan Cao, Jinxiang Cao, Jin'er Gou, Yindu Cao, Kucao, and so on. It is an annual herbaceous plant, 4~8 cm long and 1~2.5 cm wide. It is a medicinal plant with effects of clearing heat and detoxifying, reducing inflammation, and relieving swelling and pain.

Planting time for Andrographis paniculata: The sowing time for Andrographis paniculata is chosen around Qingming Festival. Before sowing, soak the seeds in warm water at 40-45 degrees C for 1-2 days (or treat them by mixing with fine sand to scratch the seed coat). When sowing, scoop out the seeds, mix them evenly with plant ash, and broadcast them on the seedbed, then scatter a layer of fine soil about 3 mm thick, and immediately spray clear water with a sprayer so that the soil is thoroughly wet.

Cultivation Techniques for Andrographis paniculata

Seedling Propagation

1. Seedbed construction: Because Andrographis paniculata seeds are very small and the seedlings have poor emergence ability, the seedbed soil needs to be deeply plowed 2-3 times and the clods broken up, then beds are made. For every 30 sq m of seedbed, apply 200 kg of fully fermented and decomposed manure, mix the manure and soil thoroughly, and then level the bed surface.

2. Seedbed management: After sowing, cover with agricultural film, and then cover the film with a layer of rice straw to keep warm and moist. The sowing rate is preferably 50-60 grams per 30 sq m of seedbed (the number of seedlings cultivated can be used for transplanting to 1-2 mu of field). When 50%-70% of the seedbed has sprouted, promptly remove the film and straw clinging to the ground. After emergence, combine with watering and apply dilute manure water once every 7 days to promote rapid seedling growth.

Field Land Preparation

1. Field selection: Before transplanting, choose mountainous or flat land with a soil pH between 5.6-7.4, flat terrain, sheltered from wind and facing the sun, fertile and loose, and convenient for irrigation and drainage as the transplanting field.

2. Apply sufficient base fertilizer: Deeply plow the field, apply 2000 kg of decomposed pig and cattle manure and 20 kg of calcium magnesium phosphate fertilizer per mu as base fertilizer, then rake level and make beds 120-130 cm wide and 15-20 cm high, with 30 cm deep irrigation and drainage ditches dug around the field.

Transplanting and Field Setting

1. Transplanting with soil: One month after sowing and raising seedlings, when the seedlings are 10 cm tall and have 4-5 pairs of true leaves, they can be transplanted to the planting site. One day before transplanting, first irrigate the nursery land thoroughly. Select robust seedlings from the seedbed and transplant them with soil. The row and plant spacing for field setting is about 20 x 20 cm, with 12,000 plants per mu.

2. Seedling management: One week after transplanting, the seedlings can be watered once with dilute manure water to promote root establishment and growth.

Field Management

1. Water management: Andrographis paniculata likes moisture and fears drought, and is sensitive to water. It should be kept moist frequently, but not overly wet. The key point of seedling-stage management is to keep the bed surface moist. After transplanting, if there is no rain, generally water 1-2 times a day; after the seedlings recover, the ground still needs to be kept moist, watering once every 3-7 days.

2. Reasonable topdressing: The production of Andrographis paniculata requires a large amount of nitrogen fertilizer, so timely topdressing is necessary. Generally, topdressing is required 3 times. After the seedlings recover, apply 3000 kg of human manure and urine diluted with water or 10 kg of urea per mu to promote seedlings. After that, topdress once every 20-30 days, applying 15-20 kg of ammonium sulfate or other nitrogen fertilizer per mu. After the plants close the rows, fertilizer can be applied with irrigation water.

3. Topping and earthing up: Andrographis paniculata is used as medicine from the whole plant. When the seedlings are about 30 cm tall, remove the top to promote the growth of side buds; at the same time, combine with intertillage to earth up and weed, promoting the growth of adventitious roots to prevent lodging. If seeds are to be kept, do not top during full bloom, and at the same time remove inflorescences that cannot set fruit and mature.

Pest and Disease Control

1. Damping-off: occurs at the 1~2 pairs of true leaves stage. Soil moisture can be reduced, and soil can be treated with 50% carbendazim, or irrigated with a 1000-fold solution in affected areas.

2. Seedling blight occurs at the 2~3 pairs of true leaves stage. Temperature can be controlled, ventilation should be paid attention to, and seedbed management should be strengthened.

3. Black stem disease occurs at the adult plant stage. Field management can be strengthened, accumulated water should be drained promptly, continuous cropping should be avoided, and during the disease period spray or irrigate affected areas with a 1000-fold solution of 50% carbendazim. There are also damage from phytophthora blight, viral diseases, and others.

4. Pests include cotton bollworm, mole cricket, and others.

Harvesting and Processing

When Andrographis paniculata grows to the flowering and budding stage, it can be harvested. At harvest, use a sickle to cut at the 2-3 nodes from the stem base and dry in the sun.

Andrographis paniculata can be harvested twice a year, with an annual dry yield per mu of up to 500-800 kg. The dried Andrographis paniculata after harvest and sun-drying is considered superior when it is dry, green in color, has many leaves, and is free of impurities and mildew.