Anemarrhenae is a perennial herb belonging to the Liliaceae family. It thrives in warm climates but is also highly resilient to cold, drought, and direct sunlight. In northern regions, it can survive the winter in the field without special protection. The plant is not particular about soil type, but it grows best on sandy slopes, loamy soils rich in humus, and well-drained areas. Its growth cycle begins when the soil temperature rises above 10°C in spring. From April to June, both the above-ground parts and underground root systems grow vigorously, while the rhizomes develop most actively between August and October. By November, the plant withers, giving it a growing season of approximately 230 days.
For propagation, seed breeding is commonly used. Parents should be selected from plants that are at least three years old, with 5–6 sepals per flower and 150–180 flowers per spike. Since the fruits tend to fall off easily, harvesting should occur before full maturity. Each seed yields about 5–7 grams, with a germination rate of 80–90%. However, this rate drops to around 50% after four years, so seeds should be stored for no more than two years. A dry weight of 7.5–8.1 grams per seed is considered ideal for planting.
The site preparation for Anemarrhenae does not require strict conditions. It prefers well-drained, fertile soils, especially on sunny slopes or floodplain sandy loam. Crops like corn, potatoes, or beans are suitable as previous crops. After harvest, applying 130 kg of compost and 66 kg of compound fertilizer per acre is recommended. The soil should be deeply tilled, leveled, and shaped into ridges 1.3 meters wide.
Propagation can be done through seeds or rhizome cuttings. For seed sowing, either autumn or spring is suitable. Autumn sowing should be done before the ground freezes, while spring sowing takes place in April. Seeds are drilled at intervals of 10–25 cm, placed in shallow furrows, and covered with 1.5 cm of soil. Germination typically occurs within 20 days, and seedlings are transplanted at 7–10 cm spacing, using a seeding rate of 0.5–0.7 kg per mu.
For rhizome propagation, roots are dug up in early spring or late autumn, cut into 3–6 cm sections, each containing 1–2 buds, and planted at 25–30 cm intervals with 9–12 cm between plants. The planting depth should be about 5 cm.
Weeding is essential, and it should be done 2–3 times a year, especially after the rainy season and at the end of autumn. Except for retaining some seeds, flower buds should be removed to promote rhizome development and increase yield.
Anemarrhenae has a strong ability to absorb nutrients, so it requires multiple top-dressings in addition to base fertilizers. Research shows that nitrogen fertilizer significantly enhances rhizome production, followed by potassium. Neutral soils tend to produce higher yields, so lime may be applied to acidic soils, or organic manure added to improve soil buffering capacity. Farmyard manure, ash, and other organic materials can supplement nitrogen and potassium. During the growing season (April–August), 20 kg of urea and 13 kg of potash per mu are recommended. In late autumn and early winter, apply 33 kg of a 5:5:5 NPK compound fertilizer and 6.6 kg of soluble phosphate fertilizer per mu.
Pest control should focus on preventing root rot, which is often caused by waterlogged soil, high temperatures, and humidity. Choosing well-drained soil and cooler terrain is crucial. Water accumulation during the growing period must be avoided to reduce the risk of root rot.
Harvesting can be done in spring or autumn. After removing dead leaves and fibrous roots, the rhizomes are dried to produce Atractylodes. Freshly cut rhizomes are peeled and dried to form "chicken meat." The fresh root yield is about 35%, and rhizomes should not be soaked in water for long periods. Drying reduces the moisture content to around 30%. Yields vary depending on the cultivation method: 100–120 kg per acre in the second year via seed propagation, and 300–360 kg per acre in the third year. For plants established from rhizomes, the first year yields about 200 kg per mu, increasing to 400 kg in the second year.
After processing, rhizomes should be protected from moisture and mold. During storage, measures should be taken to prevent rodent damage.
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