Traditional Chinese medicine has always advocated: "Any medicine must be used according to the state and territory, so that the medicine has the power and there is a basis for its use." Therefore, traditional Chinese medicine refers to medicinal materials with regional characteristics and high quality as "authentic medicinal materials". The production areas that produce authentic medicinal materials are called authentic production areas. These production areas have special geological, climatic and ecological conditions. However, Wenshan, Yunnan is recognized as a Sanqidao real estate area in my country, with high quality and good quality. So, why is the authentic area of Panax notoginseng produced in Wenshan, Yunnan? And how to regulate its planting? Let’s take a look together!
1. Why is Wenshan the authentic Sanqi producing area?
1. Unique ecological environment
Due to the special requirements of Panax notoginseng on environmental conditions, the distribution range of Panax notoginseng is extremely narrow. It is now mainly distributed in Wenshan Prefecture, Yunnan, that is, between 22°40′-24°28′ north latitude and 103°35′-106°11′ east longitude. between.
2.Special soil types
The soil in the Wensanqi planting area is of yellow-red soil and red soil type. The soil layer is deep and loose, rich in rare earth elements and trace elements such as iron, calcium, cobalt and molybdenum. Wenshan’s unique soil geological background is important for the formation of authentic Wensanqi. reason.
Suitable climate conditions: Since the Tropic of Cancer crosses the entire territory and is located on the Yunnan-Guizhou Plateau, Wenshan Prefecture has sufficient sunlight, abundant rainfall, and insignificant annual temperature differences. It has the dual characteristics of small annual temperature differences but large day and night temperature differences, which is beneficial The accumulation of dry matter of Panax notoginseng and the biosynthesis of active ingredients are the main reasons why the yield and quality of Wenshan Panax notoginseng are superior to those in other regions.
2. Technical methods for standardized planting of authentic Panax notoginseng
Notoginseng is a shade-loving plant. It likes an environment that is warm in winter and cool in summer, but is afraid of severe cold and heat. It likes moisture but is afraid of stagnant water. The soil moisture content is 22% to 40%. It can grow under planting environment conditions such as the temperature in summer does not exceed 35°C, the temperature in winter is not lower than minus 5°C, and the temperature is between 18 and 25°C.
The annual Panax notoginseng has only one palmate compound leaf. The biennial plant has 2-3 palmate compound leaves, each consisting of 5-7 leaflets, and begins to bolt and bloom. Three- to four-year-old Panax notoginseng generally has 3 to 5 palmately compound leaves, each of which is mostly composed of 7 leaflets, and a few have as many as 9 leaflets. Panax notoginseng that is more than five years old can have up to 6 compound leaves. The number of palmately compound leaves in each annual is affected by growth and development conditions. If nutrition is sufficient and development conditions are suitable, the number of palmately compound leaves will be greater.
Panax notoginseng grows every year. In the production area, the seedlings emerge from February to March, and the emergence period is 10 to 15 days. After Panax notoginseng emerges, it enters the leaf unfolding stage. In the early stage of leaf unfolding, the stems and leaves grow quickly. Usually the plant height can reach 2/3 of the normal plant height in 15 to 20 days. Afterwards, the stems and leaves grow slowly, and seedlings emerge once after germination. Once the stems and leaves from the formed spores are damaged, there will be no seedlings on the ground.
Panax notoginseng is sensitive to light and likes oblique, scattered, and diffuse light, but avoids strong light. Generally, the light transmittance is 30%. If the light is too weak, the plants will become leggy, the leaves will be soft, the main roots will grow slowly, and they will easily get diseases. If the light is too strong, the plants will be short and the leaves will be easily burned.
Panax notoginseng seeds have post-ripening properties. Only when they are kept in humid conditions can they complete physiological post-ripening and germinate. The optimum temperature for seed germination is around 20°C. The lifespan of seeds under natural conditions is about 15 days. Once the seeds are dried, they lose their vitality. Therefore, they should be sown as they are harvested or stratified.
For specific and detailed standard planting standards and parameters, please refer to the "Wenshan Prefecture Panax Notoginseng Planting Technical Regulations" published by the Wenshan Prefecture Government in Yunnan.
3. Excavation time and methods of Panax notoginseng
1. Excavation time
The main medicinal part of Panax notoginseng is the root. Excavation too early or too late will affect the yield and quality. The mining time is divided into autumn and winter. The quality of the seeds excavated from the transplantation to 15 days before and after the Beginning of Autumn in the next year is better, which is called "Spring Seven". If the seeds are reserved for cultivation, the quality of the red seeds excavated after picking will be slightly worse. It's called "Dong Qi". The most suitable harvesting period for reserved seeds of Panax notoginseng (Panax notoginseng) is from December to February of the following year. The most suitable period for harvesting Panax notoginseng (Spring Panax notoginseng) is from September to December.
2. Mining method
Before digging, the seedlings are usually cut off, and a stake of about 5 cm is left as a mark to avoid missing the excavation. Alternatively, the seedlings are not cut off, and the seedlings are picked while digging, shake off the soil, and transport them back in radish baskets or sacks.
3. Mining tools
When digging in a small area, it is customary to use sharpened wooden sticks; when digging in a large area, a rake is often used to dig and plan. When digging, try to avoid damaging the roots of Panax notoginseng. When digging, start from one end of the car and dig sequentially. Dig up (pry up) the fibrous roots from the edge. Do not dig randomly to prevent the fibrous roots from breaking and missing the harvest, as well as damage to the main root, which will affect the output and reduce the quality of the product after processing.
