How to cultivate Salvia miltiorrhiza with High yield

I. selection of land and land preparation

According to the living habits of Salvia miltiorrhiza, the land with sufficient light, good drainage, convenient watering and low groundwater level should be selected. the soil requires sandy loam with deep soil layer, loose texture and pH value of 6-8. The land with heavy sticky soil, low-lying stagnant water and sunshade should not be planted. Salvia miltiorrhiza is a deep-rooted perennial plant. Before planting, it is necessary to apply long-acting barnyard manure, cake fertilizer or chemical fertilizer as base fertilizer. Generally, 5000 kilograms of rotten farm manure, 50 kilograms of superphosphate or 20 kilograms of diammonium phosphate, with a depth of 30 to 40 centimeters, must be broken to facilitate root growth and development. The rake is fine and flat, with a flat bed 1.5 inch 2 meters wide in the north and a high bed 15 centimeters high in the south. Dig drainage ditches around the land so that it can be irrigated by drought and waterlogged.

2. Select superior species

Under the same cultivation conditions, the yield and quality of different varieties were very different. The selection of improved varieties is an agricultural measure with high benefit and quick effect. The new tetraploid strain of Salvia miltiorrhiza 61-2-22 not only has good agronomy and vigorous growth in the field, but also the content of tanshinone in root medicine is much higher than that of the original plant and other tetraploid lines. The content of chemical components is also high, which meets the ideal requirements and should be vigorously promoted in production.

3. Transplanting

After spring sowing, the seedlings can be transplanted after about 75 days. It can be planted in spring or in autumn. Spring planting is in mid-May and autumn planting is in late October. It should be early rather than late, transplant early, take root early, and return green early the next year. When planting, dig holes according to the row spacing of 33 × 23 cm on the border surface, depending on the root length, and apply appropriate amount of manure as base fertilizer at the bottom of the hole. After mixing evenly with the hole soil, 2 seedlings are planted in each hole. The planting depth is based on the original natural growth depth of the seedlings, and the heart bud can be slightly exposed. Water the roots thoroughly after planting. The cuttings were planted with 1 plant in each hole and planted in the hole according to the same method and planting density.

IV. Mode of reproduction

To split roots, Reed head-based reproduction, but also seed sowing and cutting propagation.

(1) the root of Salvia miltiorrhiza, which is 0.7 cm in diameter, purple-red, pest-free and fully developed, is selected as the seed root during the autumn harvest, and stored in wet sand until the next spring. From March to April in early spring, the seed root was cut into small segments of 4cm. According to the specification of row spacing of 35 cm × 25 cm × 6 cm, the cut root was placed vertically into the hole, one hole at a time, with the big head facing up, do not turn upside down, cover the soil about 2 cm, should not be too thick, otherwise affect the emergence of seedlings. Use about 50 kilograms of seed root per mu. When planted with root, it blossoms late, so it is difficult to receive seeds in the same year, but the root grows faster and the yield of medicinal materials is high. 

(2) Reed head propagation during the harvest of Salvia miltiorrhiza, strong and disease-free plants were selected to cut off thick roots for medicinal purposes, and fine roots with heart leaves were used as seedlings for planting. Large seedlings can be divided into 2-4 plants according to the natural growth of buds and roots, and then planted. Can also dig wild Salvia miltiorrhiza, thick root cut off medicine, fine root together with Reed head planting, plant, row spacing and split root propagation method is the same, the time should be in late autumn or early spring. Propagated with Reed head, it can be harvested in the next year after planting, with short production cycle and good economic benefits.

(3) Cuttage propagation from June to July in the north and from April to May in the south, the healthy and disease-free branches of Salvia miltiorrhiza were cut together and cut into small segments 13-16 cm long, and the lower incision should be close to the stem node, showing a horseshoe shape. Cut off the lower leaves, according to the row spacing of 20 × 10 cm, insert the cuttings obliquely into the nursery bed, the depth of the cuttings is 2 × 2 + 3, the soil cover is pressed, and there are 1 × 2 leaves on the ground. Domestic salvia miltiorrhiza is cut and inserted at the same time, it can not be put for a long time, otherwise it will affect the survival rate of cuttings. After insertion, the soil is moist and shaded properly, and the new root can be produced from the lowest stem node in 15-20 days. When the root is 3 cm long, it will be placed in the field.

(4) the seed propagation of Salvia miltiorrhiza is small, the germination rate is about 70%, and the direct seeding method is often uneven, so the method of seedling raising and transplanting is mostly selected. Seeds maturing after June should be selected and sowed along with picking or sowing in September. In Beijing area, the seeds are generally sown in the seedbed in March, both strip sowing and sowing. The plant spacing of the strip sowing line is 30 × 20 cm, the depth of the ditch is 1 × 1.3 cm, the seeds are mixed with river sand, scattered evenly in the ditch, and the soil is covered by 0.5 cm to 0.7 cm. Sowing can spread the seeds evenly on the ground and step on them once, so that the seeds are close to the soil and do not need to be covered with soil. The sowing amount per mu is about 0.5 kg. Cover with plastic film after sowing to keep warm and moisturizing. When the local temperature reaches about 20 ℃, the seedlings will emerge in 15-20 days. When the true leaves of  3-5  were found to be too dense, the seedlings should be interseedling, and the seedlings could be planted and cultivated amateurishly. After 2 months of growth after sowing, it can be transplanted.

Among the above four propagation methods, Reed head was used as breeding material, and the yield was the highest. The second is root propagation.

V. Field management

(1) ploughing, weeding and topdressing

After finishing the seedlings in the first sentence of April, one time of intermediate ploughing and weeding should be carried out, and the soil should be loosened shallowly, followed by a forced application of dilute human and animal manure water, 1500kg per mu, and the second time from early May to early June, once rotten human feces and urine, 2000kg per mu, plus cake fertilizer 50kg. The third time from late June to mid-July, combined with mid-tillage and weeding, re-applied mature and slightly thicker manure, 3000kg per mu, plus calcium superphosphate 25kg and cake fertilizer 50kg to promote ginseng root growth and development. The method of fertilization can be ditch application or hole application, and after application, cover soil and cover fertilizer.

1. Growth habits of Radix Salviae Miltiorrhizae.

Salvia miltiorrhiza is a perennial herb with well-developed roots with a depth of 60-80 cm, so it is most beneficial to root growth on sandy loam with deep soil layer and loose texture. When the soil is too sticky, poor ventilation and poor water, it often causes rotten roots, so that the whole plant withered, and the root sprouting power is strong, so it can be propagated by the method of dividing roots. The upper and middle part of the root strip germinated faster than the lower part. The results showed that the root of Salvia miltiorrhiza grew with the aboveground growth, and in the later stage, with the gradual decrease of air temperature, the aboveground growth was gradually slow, the nutrients transferred to the lower part, and the root grew more rapidly.

2. Fertilizer requirement characteristics of Salvia miltiorrhiza.

Salvia miltiorrhiza plant has strong fertilizer absorption, and depending on its strong root system, it can absorb nutrients from the surface and deep layers of the soil. In the general medium fertility soil, it can grow and develop well, and the effect is better when applying more base fertilizer and topdressing nitrogen fertilizer. When nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium are seriously deficient, Salvia miltiorrhiza plants will show certain physiological morbidity. In the case of serious nitrogen deficiency, the initial leaf color gradually changed from dark green to light green, and the plant grew slowly; in severe cases, the growth point was undeveloped or even necrotic, new leaves no longer grew, old leaves gradually withered and yellow, roots were small, and the yield of medicinal materials was very low. In the case of phosphorus deficiency, the leaves are green, sometimes reddish brown, there are obvious brown spots on the early leaves, but in the later stage, the spots expand and dry, the leaves sometimes twist, and the heart leaves grow slowly. When potassium deficiency, the leaves of the plant are green to dark green, the leaves are broad, the petiole is slender and tender, and the performance is too long. Sometimes there are large brown spots on the edge of the old leaves, the veins are dark green, other parts are light green, and obvious spots appear.

3. Fertilization technology of Salvia miltiorrhiza.

Because Salvia miltiorrhiza is a fertilizer-loving medicinal plant, we must first apply sufficient basic fertilizer when sowing; the basic fertilizer is mainly mixed fertilizer of farm soil, such as rotten pig, sheep pen fertilizer or coke ash, and the application rate is 1000~1200kg per 667m2 (1 mu). After mixing with the soil, the land is flattened. In addition to applying basal fertilizer, topdressing should be applied at least 2 or 3 times during plant growth. Topdressing in the early stage of growth, mainly nitrogen fertilizer or human and animal manure; in the middle stage of growth depends on seedling fertilization; after autumn, it is better to apply long root fertilizer, such as calcium superphosphate and other phosphorus and potassium mixed fertilizer.

(2) removing flower bolts

Salvia miltiorrhiza will bolt and blossom one after another from late April to May. In order to concentrate nutrients on the root growth, except for the seed land, the flower bolts should be cut off sooner rather than later.

(3) drainage and irrigation water

Salvia miltiorrhiza most avoid stagnant water, in the rainy season to clear ditches and drainage; in case of dry weather, timely ditch irrigation or watering, excess stagnant water should be eliminated in time to avoid waterlogging.

Control of Diseases and insect pests of Salvia miltiorrhiza

I. Diseases

(1) Leaf blight

Leaf blight disease began to occur in the lower leaves of the plant and gradually spread upward. At the initial stage of the disease, brown and round spots appeared on the leaf surface, the disease spot continued to expand, and the central part was grayish brown. Finally, the leaf scorched and the plant died. It occurred in early May and lasted until the end of autumn, and it was the most serious from June to July.  control methods: 1. Select disease-free and robust seeds and soak the seeds with Bordeaux solution (1 ∶ 1 ∶ 100) for 10 minutes before planting. 2. Strengthen management, increase the application of phosphorus and potassium fertilizer, open ditches and drainage in time, reduce humidity and enhance disease resistance. 3. At the initial stage of the disease, spray 60% Dysen zinc 600 times or 50% carbendazim 800 times.

(2) Sclerotinia disease

The pathogen of Sclerotinia sclerotiorum first invaded the stem base, bud head and rhizome of the plant, and the infected part turned brown and gradually rotted, and there were gray-black mouse-like sclerotia and white mycelia in the surface of the disease, the soil surface and the base of the stem. The upper part of the diseased stem and leaves gradually yellowed, and finally the plant withered.  prevention and control methods: 1. Keep the soil dry and remove stagnant water in time. 2. The diseased area can be planted in paddy field, drown the seed seed, and then be used as Salvia miltiorrhiza cultivation field. 3. During the outbreak period, 50% ammonium chloride 0.5kg and lime 10kg were mixed to form a fungicide, which was scattered on the base of the stem of the diseased plant and the soil near it to prevent the spread of the disease. 4. Irrigate with 1000 times of 50% Sukeling.

(3) Root rot

In the plants affected by root rot, the fine roots first developed brown dry rot, and gradually spread to the thick roots. Transverse section of the root shows obvious brown in the cross section, that is, vascular bundle lesions. In the later stage, the root rotted, the aboveground part of the plant wilted and died, and finally the whole plant died. Most of them occur from May to November. Prevention and control methods: 1. Implement crop rotation and choose high and dry hillside land for planting. 2. Strengthen the management, increase the application of phosphorus and potassium fertilizer, loosen the soil, promote plant growth and improve disease resistance. 3. At the initial stage of the disease, spray 50% topiramate 800 × 1000 times.

(4) Root knot nematode disease

It's a parasitic disease. After the root-knot nematode invades the root, it stimulates the host cell to divide quickly and causes the injured part of the root to form a tumor-like mass. The lumps in different parts of fine and coarse roots vary in size and shape, which is a prominent feature of nematode disease. The tumor is yellowish white at first, smooth in appearance, brown later, and finally broken and rotten. The gall is cut open, which is transparent and contains colorless transparent particles. After the nematodes were parasitized, the root function of the plant was destroyed, which affected the nutrient absorption, resulting in the death of the aboveground part of the plant. Prevention and control methods: 1. Flood-drought rotation is beneficial to drown nematodes and reduce harm. , 2. Choose fertile soil to avoid planting in sandy plots and reduce the occurrence of nematode disease. 3. 2~3kg with 80% dibromochlorobenzane and water 100kg, 15 days before planting, ditch into the soil and cover with soil to prevent the volatilization of the solution and improve the control effect .

II. Insect pests

Spodoptera litura generally occurs in summer and autumn. the larvae bite on the leaves and eat all the leaves in serious cases. Five generations of Spodoptera litura occurred every year, and the second generation larvae began to damage the leaves of Salvia miltiorrhiza from June to July, especially from late July to mid-August. Control methods: 1. Burn the diseased plants centrally after harvest to kill the overwintering eggs. 2. Black light can be hung in the ground to trap and kill moths. 3. When the larvae appear, spray with 10% permethrin 2000-3000 times or 90% trichlorfon 800 times. Spray twice a week for 3 times in a row.

Harvest, processing and Storage of Salvia miltiorrhiza

I. harvesting and processing

(1) seed harvesting and processing Salvia miltiorrhiza blossom and bear fruit in the second year after planting, and the seeds mature one after another from late May or early June. The order of seed maturation is from bottom to top, the seeds in the lower part of the inflorescence mature first, and the seeds in the upper part mature later. The seeds should be harvested in time, otherwise they will fall to the ground by themselves. When collecting seeds, if the seed area is very small and can be harvested in stages and batches, the calyx in the lower part of the inflorescence can be pulled down together with the mature seeds, and the immature segments in the upper part can be harvested later. If the remaining seed area is very large, when the calyx of  2  on the inflorescence has turned green and turned yellow but not completely dried up, cut off the whole inflorescence, then cut off the young part of the top, leaving the mature seeds in the middle and lower part, expose them in the sunny day for 3 days, thresh, clean, dry, bag and store in a cool, ventilated and dry place. The seeds must be dried and stored in the sun, otherwise the germination rate will be affected. 

(2) harvesting and processing of medicinal materials (roots) the asexual reproduction of Salvia miltiorrhiza was harvested after frosting in autumn or before germination in the spring of the second year. The seed was harvested after the second autumn of the second year or before the spring germination of the third year, with high yield and good quality. The root system of Salvia miltiorrhiza is deep and brittle, so it should be dug when the soil is semi-dry in sunny days. Dig a deep trench from one end of the ridge, and the depth depends on the length of the root. when the roots are all exposed, carefully take out all the roots along the ridge, expose them in the field, remove the soil, transport them back for processing, and avoid washing with water. After harvesting and drying in the north, the south is half-dry in the sun, concentrated and stuffy "sweating", each pile of root strips 500-1000 kg, 4-5 days later, and then dry the pile for 1-2 days. After drying the pile, it is necessary to "pour the pile", that is, to hold the parameters on the surface of the pile uniformly, pile them on the bottom, and stack them on the top with the ginseng strips of the original inner layer, that is, the inner and outer layers of the pile, so as to make the whole pile "sweat" evenly, then cover the Reed mat to continue to pile up, until the inner part of the root changes from white to purple-black, spread the pile until fully dry, then use fire to remove the whiskers from the root, neatly put it into the bamboo basket, and shake gently. Make them rub against each other, remove the mud attached to the root strip and the unremoved fibrous root, that is, the finished product, stored in a dry and ventilated place, mildew and moth proof. Generally, the yield of dry goods per mu is 200 kg 250 kg, and the high yield field can reach 300 kg 400 kg, with a drying rate of 30%.

II. Storage

The safe moisture of Salvia miltiorrhiza is 11%-14%, the suitable temperature for storage is below 30 ℃, and the relative humidity is 70%-75%. Packed in gunny bags or baskets, stored in the warehouse according to the above requirements. The quality of  is brittle and easy to break, so it should be protected from heavy pressure, damp and mildew, and easy to be eaten by insects. Regular inspection during storage, found that damp or high temperature, timely turn the stack, spread out to dry, when the insect situation is serious, fumigated with aluminum phosphide. Sealed oxygen extraction and nitrogen filling maintenance can be carried out before the high temperature and high humidity season.

Specification standard of Salvia miltiorrhiza

According to the commodity specifications of medicinal materials formulated by the State Drug Administration and the Ministry of Health of the people's Republic of China, Salvia miltiorrhiza can be divided into two specifications: wild and domestic. 

I. Wild

General information. It is cylindrical, short and thick, branched, twisted, reddish brown or reddish yellow in different shades, rough, scaly and easy to peel off. Light and crisp. The cross section is red-yellow or brown, loose and cracked, showing white spots of tendons and veins. Slight breath, sweet taste, slightly bitter. No Reed head, hair whiskers, impurities, mildew. 

II. Family species

First-grade practical information: cylindrical and strip-shaped, occasionally branched. The surface is purplish red or yellowish red with longitudinal wrinkles. The quality is solid, the skin is thin and fat. The cross section is grayish white or yellowish brown. No fiber. Weak breath, sweet taste, slightly bitter. Most of them are pruned, with complete head and tail, and the diameter of the upper and middle part of the main root is more than 1 cm. There is no Reed stem, broken node, fibrous root, impurities, moth, mildew.

Secondary practical information: cylindrical or strip-shaped, occasionally branched. The surface is purplish red or yellowish red with longitudinal wrinkles. The quality is solid, the skin is thin and fat. The cross section is grayish white or yellowish brown, no fiber. Weak, sweet, slightly bitter. The diameter of the upper middle part of the main root is less than 1 cm, but not less than 0.4 cm. There are single branches and broken nodes, no Reed stem, fibrous root, impurities, moth, mildew.

Identification of Salvia miltiorrhiza

I. microscopic identification

(1) the cross section of the root: 1. The cork layer consists of 4-6 rows of cells, most of which contain orange or lavender brown, and sometimes the presence of epidermis. 2. The cortex is broad. 3. The phloem is narrow and semilunar. 4. The cambium is annular. 5. The xylem is 8-10 bundles, which is radial. There are many ducts in the cambium, which are arranged tangentially, and the central ducts are single-row gradually. The xylem has wide rays and fibers often exist in bundles of primary xylem in the center.

(2) Powder: reddish brown. 1. The stone cells are round, rectangular or irregular in shape, with a diameter of 20 ~ 65 μ m, a length of 257 μ m, a wall thickness of 5 ~ 16 μ m, and some brown substances. 2. The ducts are reticulated and with marginal pores. The elements of the reticulated ducts are long and fusiform, the meshes are narrow, and the perforations are mostly located in the lateral wall. 3. The wood fiber is long fusiform, mostly in bundles, and the pit is oblique crack-like or cross-shaped. 4. The cork cells are yellowish brown, the surface is square or polygonal, and the wall is slightly thicker.

II. Physical and chemical identification

(1) take the powder 5g, add water 50ml, boil for 15 minutes, cool, filter, concentrate the filtrate on the water bath to a sticky shape, after cooling, add ethanol 3~5ml to dissolve, filtrate, the filtrate is tested as follows: 1. Take a few drops of the filtrate, point it on the filter strip, dry it, and observe it under ultraviolet light to show bright blue-gray fluorescence. Hang the note in an ammonia bottle, take it out after 20 minutes, and observe it under ultraviolet light to show light blue-green fluorescence. 2. Take filtrate 0.5ml, add ferric trichloride test solution 1-2 drops, stain green.

(2) take 1g of this product powder, add ether 5ml, plug it in the test tube, shake, place for 1 hour, filter, the filtrate dries, and the residue is dissolved by adding hexyl acetate 1ml as the test solution. In addition, the control medicinal materials of Salvia miltiorrhiza were prepared by the same method. The reference substance solution of tanshinone IIA was prepared by adding hexyl acetate to tanshinone 2mg/ml. Absorb 5 μ l each of the above three solutions on the same silica gel G thin layer plate. The developer was benzene: hexyl acetate (19:1). In the chromatography of the sample, the spots of the same color were shown in the corresponding position of the control medicine and the control sample.