How to plant Isatis root?

Isatis root , as a widely used traditional Chinese medicine in China, has multiple functions. This medicinal material is suitable for planting in all parts of my country and can be sown in spring, summer or autumn. It only takes 6 to 7 months from sowing to harvesting, and it can be planted twice in a year. Let’s learn how to plant Isatis root.

1. Soil preparation and fertilization

Isatis root prefers a warm and humid environment. It is drought-resistant and cold-resistant, but it is afraid of waterlogging. Therefore, it should be planted in loose soil with good drainage. Before planting, deep plowing and land preparation should be carried out, and fertilizer should be applied appropriately. 3,000 to 4,000 kg of farmyard manure, 15 kg of diammonium phosphate and 4 kg of biological potash fertilizer can be applied per mu. These fertilizers need to be spread evenly and plowed more than 30 cm deep, and then a 1-meter wide flat bed should be made to promote good root growth.

2. Sowing time and method

The best time to sow Isatis root is April. Before sowing, soak the seeds in 40℃ warm water for 4 hours, and then mix them with wood ash. Dig a shallow furrow with a row spacing of 20 cm and a depth of 1.5 cm on the bed surface, sow seeds evenly, cover with about 1 cm of soil, press down lightly, and water appropriately to keep moist. Under suitable temperature, seedlings will emerge in about 10 days, and the sowing rate is 2 to 3 kilograms per mu.

3. Field management

Thinning and transplanting: When the seedlings are 7-8 cm tall, transplant them at a spacing of 6-10 cm, remove weak seedlings, retain strong seedlings, and fill in missing seedlings.

Intertillage and weeding: Shallow tillage is carried out after the seedlings emerge from the soil, and intertillage is carried out after the seedlings are established. When the weeds have 3-5 leaves, you can use chemical herbicides for spraying, such as using 40 ml of chlorpyrifos herbicide per acre and adding 50 kg of water for spraying.

Top dressing and watering: If the main purpose is to harvest Isatis indigo leaves , top dressing is required three times a year. After planting for the first time, apply 10-15 kg of urea per mu and water in time. Subsequent topdressing should be mainly farmyard manure, with appropriate application of phosphorus and potassium fertilizers. For those who mainly harvest isatis root, apply less nitrogen fertilizer during the vigorous growth period, and apply more phosphorus and potassium fertilizers and wood ash to promote root growth.

4. Pest and disease control

Downy mildew: It mainly harms the leaves. In the early stage of the disease, use 500 times diluted 70% mancozeb or 800 times diluted alum to spray for prevention and control, once every 7-10 days, for 2-3 times in a row.

Leaf blight: harms leaves. In the early stage of the disease, use 1000 times diluted 50% carbendazim to spray for prevention and control, once every 7-10 days, for 2-3 times in a row.

Root rot: In the early stage of the disease, use 1000 times diluted 50% carbendazim or 1000 times diluted methyl tobacillus to sprinkle the holes and remove the remaining plants.

Pest control: The cabbage butterfly (Plutella xylostella) mainly harms leaves, and can be controlled by spraying pyrethroid pesticides.

5. Harvesting and processing

The leaves of spring-sown isatis root can be harvested twice before the roots are harvested, the first time in mid-June and the second time in mid-to-late August. Avoid hot weather during harvesting. The harvested leaves are dried and become the medicinal Isatis indigo leaf. Isatis root should be dug on a sunny day before winter, and deep digging is required to prevent root breakage. After digging up the soil, remove the dirt, stems and leaves, dry them in the sun until they are 70% to 80% dry, then tie them into small bundles and dry them in the sun again until they are completely dry. High-quality isatis root should be long, straight, thick, uniform, solid and powdery.

The above is an introduction to the cultivation method of Isatis root. Although there is a large market demand for Isatis root, it is not suitable for everyone to grow. Without sales channels, it is just empty talk.