Effect of cultivation methods on productivity of Angelica sinensis

Field experiments were conducted to study the effects of different cultivation methods on the productivity of Angelica sinensis (Oliv) Diels. A. sinensis ‘Minxian No.1’ and A. sinensis ‘Minxian No.2’, which are cultivated widely by farmers in Gansu Province were selected. Four cultivation methods were used: black, red, or white plastic mulch coverage and open field planting. The main results showed that plastic mulch coverage significantly increased the productivity of A. sinensis at the 0.05 level. Compared with the rhizome yield with open field planting, the yields with black, red, and white plastic mulch coverage, increased by 23.97%, 22.69%, and 8.66%, respectively. The dry matter accumulation in the above-ground part of the medicinal plant during the mulching, excavation, and greening to medicine-reading periods was increased by 42.26%, 18.74%, and 50.54%, respectively, with the use of plastic mulch coverage compared to that with open field planting. The amount and ratio of accumulation were the key to increased productivity in A. sinensis. Plastic mulching coverage significantly increased the plant height, leaf number, leaf diameter, chlorophyll a, chlorophyll b, carotenoid, and yield rates of special and first grade A. sinensis but had no significant effect on the incidence rate of measles and the disease index at the 0.05 level. Using accumulated temperature ≥0 ℃, a logistic model was established to predict the growth of A. sinensis. The accumulated temperature of 1608～3340 ℃ was the key period for the accumulation of dry matter in the above-ground part of A. sinensis. These research results can provide a scientific basis for high-yield and high-quality cultivation of A. sinensis.