The Agricultural University’s comprehensive support package has helped Lintao Codonopsis pilosula achieve a bountiful harvest.

Lintao County is located in central Gansu Province, with an annual rainfall ranging from 317 to 760 millimeters. It is one of the typical arid counties in the central region, with 743,200 mu of mountainous dryland. Its natural climatic conditions are well-suited for the cultivation of various Chinese medicinal herbs, and more than 20 species are grown locally, including Codonopsis pilosula, Angelica sinensis, Astragalus membranaceus (red or yellow), Saposhnikovia divaricata, and others.

In recent years, with the adjustment of the agricultural industrial structure, the area dedicated to the cultivation of Chinese medicinal materials has expanded rapidly. However, medicinal herb farming in Lintao County now faces the following challenges:

1. A lack of soil organic matter leads to soil compaction;

2. Due to continuous cropping over the years, the problem of continuous cropping in Chinese medicinal herb cultivation is severe.

3. Due to geographical and climatic conditions, rainfall is scarce, leaving agriculture heavily dependent on weather patterns.

On September 15, 2017, a field demonstration on Chinese medicinal herbs was successfully held in Shengli Village, Yaodian Town, Lintao County. How effective is the fertilizer package solution developed by China Agricultural University? Let’s take a look at the results achieved by Mr. Li, a large-scale medicinal herb grower, after using Nongda fertilizers.

Overall landscape of the demonstration plot and the control plot

Overall performance

Agricultural University Fertilization Plan:

         The plants are robust, with thick, dark-green leaves and few disease problems.

Conventional fertilization plan:

         The plants are vigorous, but the leaves are thin, yellowing, and prone to disease.

Leaf Effect Performance

         Compared with conventional fertilization regimes, the Nongda fertilization regimen results in larger leaf area, fewer disease occurrences, and leaves that are more open and resilient.

Rhizome Effect Performance

1. Upon removing the surface soil, the root system appears robust, with the rhizome exhibiting uniform growth and a sturdy, well-developed structure.

2. Compared with the control, the rhizome is longer and thicker, reaching a diameter of 13.48 mm, whereas the control measures only 7.78 mm; it also exhibits higher yield and superior quality.

Comprehensive analysis

1. Despite the drought conditions earlier this year, Codonopsis pilosula has continued to thrive. Nongda Fertilizer is specially formulated with active humic acid, which, first, loosens the soil and enriches the land, enhancing the soil’s water‑retention capacity; second, it promotes root growth and strengthens the roots’ ability to absorb nutrients; and third, it regulates stomatal opening and closing, thereby reducing transpiration.

2. Nongda Yidingsan bio-organic fertilizer contains 60% organic matter; while replenishing soil organic matter, it is specially formulated with a composite microbial consortium, thereby reducing the incidence of continuous‑cropping diseases in Codonopsis pilosula caused by repeated planting.