Five Key Points of Ophiopogon Japonicus Cultivation Technology; High Yield Can Be Achieved If Done Well

Ophiopogon japonicus not only has high medicinal value but also very high landscaping value, making it an efficient cash crop for farmers to grow. So, what are the cultivation techniques for Ophiopogon japonicus? Do these five points well and you can achieve high yield!

1. Land preparation and fertilization

It has special requirements for soil conditions and is suitable for loose, fertile, moist, well-drained, slightly alkaline sandy loam. Before planting, the soil must be deeply plowed, and during land preparation, 1000 kg of decomposed manure or barnyard manure and 50 kg of superphosphate should be applied per mu. Before planting, shallow plow once more, level and rake finely, and make flat beds 1.3 m wide with furrow widths of 40 cm, and open drainage ditches around the perimeter.

2. Planting

Plant Ophiopogon japonicus as it is harvested, planting immediately after harvest. Choose a sunny evening or an overcast day for planting. On the prepared bed surface, open horizontal furrows at a row spacing of 15-20 cm, about 5 cm deep, and plant 3 seedlings per hill at a plant spacing of 8-10 cm. Do not plant too deep or too shallow. If too deep, it is difficult for the seedlings to emerge, and tall-legged seedlings are easily produced, resulting in low yield; if too shallow, the roots are exposed outside and are easily sun-dried or lodging occurs, affecting the survival rate. Place the seedlings vertically close to the furrow wall so that the roots are vertical and not bent, otherwise it is difficult for roots to develop near the furrow wall. After planting, cover with soil and press firmly so that the roots are in close contact with the soil, then use both feet to press the seedlings firmly so that the plants stand upright and stable. Immediately after planting, water once to settle the roots, so as to promote early new root growth.

3. Management and care

(1) Cultivation and weeding

About 15 days after planting, Ophiopogon japonicus turns green again. If dead seedlings are found, remove them promptly and replant on an overcast day or in the evening. Fifteen days after planting, loosen the soil and weed once, and afterward choose sunny days to weed once every month or half a month to promote early tillering and more root development in the seedlings. After October, loosen the soil shallowly and do not damage the fibrous roots. Ophiopogon japonicus plants are short, so the field should be kept free of weeds to avoid weed infestation.

(2) Topdressing

Ophiopogon japonicus likes fertilizer, and rational topdressing of nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium is the key to increasing its yield. Generally, topdress 3 times per year. The first time is in July, applying 2500 kg of human and livestock manure water and 50 kg of decomposed cake fertilizer per mu; the second time is in early August, applying 3000 kg of livestock manure water, 80 kg of decomposed cake fertilizer, and 150 kg of stove ash per mu; the third time is in early November, applying 3000 kg of livestock manure water, 50 kg of cake fertilizer, and 50 kg of superphosphate per mu, to promote the growth and enlargement of tuberous roots.

(3) Watering

Ophiopogon japonicus has a relatively high water requirement during its growing period. After the beginning of summer, temperatures rise and evaporation increases, so it should be irrigated in time. If dry weather occurs in winter and spring, irrigate 1-2 times before the beginning of spring to promote the growth and development of tuberous roots.

4. Pest and disease control

(1) Black spot

Control method: Select healthy disease-free plants as seed plants, and before planting soak them in 1:1:100 Bordeaux mixture for 5 minutes; drain excess water promptly during the rainy season to reduce field humidity; in the early stage of the disease, when morning dew has not yet dried, scatter 100 kg of plant ash per mu; during the disease period, spray 1:1:100 Bordeaux mixture or 65% zineb 500-fold solution, once every 10 days, for 3-4 consecutive times.

(2) Root-knot nematode

Control method: In practice, rotate with gramineous crops, and do not choose sweet potato, cowpea, potato, or other root vegetables as the previous crop or intercrop; during land preparation, apply 250-300 g per mu of 20% methyl isothiophos emulsion or 5% granules, make poisoned soil and scatter it in the furrows, then turn it into the soil, which can control nematodes.

(3) White grubs

They occur in August-September and can be killed by spraying 90% trichlorfon 200-fold solution.

5. Harvesting

Ophiopogon japonicus is harvested in the first or second ten days of April in the second or third year after planting. Choose a sunny day and first plow the soil 25 cm with a plow to turn out the Ophiopogon japonicus, shake off the soil, cut off the tuberous roots and fibrous roots, place them separately in baskets, and put them in running water, stepping and rubbing them with feet to wash away the mud and sand. Spread the washed Ophiopogon japonicus on a drying mat or drying yard for exposure to the sun, and after drying, gently rub it with hands, then dry it again, repeating this several times until the fibrous roots are rubbed off, then sift out impurities with a sieve and it is ready. Generally, the yield can be about 150 kg of dried Ophiopogon japonicus per mu, and up to 250 kg at high yield. Those with large and long grains, prism-like shape, solid flesh, and yellow-white color are considered best.

In addition, it should also be noted that Ophiopogon japonicus likes warm and humid climate conditions with abundant rainfall and can grow normally at 5-30°C. The most suitable growth temperature is 15-25°C. Growth stops below 0°C or above 35°C. It has a high water requirement during growth and requires sufficient light, especially during the tuberous root enlargement period, when sufficient light is needed to promote tuberous root enlargement.