GB/T 45206-2025Code of practice for production of Daodi herbs - Danshen (English PDF)

1 Scope

This document establishes the production technique for Danshen, specifies the technical operations and requirements for the choice of production site, the choice of seed, the raising of seedlings from seed, land preparation and ridging, planting, field management, harvesting, primary processing, packaging and storage, and describes traceability methods such as production records and records management.

This document applies to the production of Danshen medicinal material in the Daodi producing areas of Danshen, among them Shandong, Henan, Hebei, Anhui, Jiangsu, Sichuan, Shaanxi and Zhejiang.

2 Normative references

The contents of the following documents constitute indispensable provisions of this document through normative reference in the text. For dated references, only the edition corresponding to that date applies to this document; for undated references, the latest edition (including all amendments) applies to this document.

GB/T 731, Jute cloth and jute sacks. GB 3095, Ambient air quality standard. GB 5084, Standard for irrigation water quality. GB/T 6543, Single and double corrugated fibreboard boxes for transport packages. GB/T 8321 (all parts), Guideline for safe application of pesticides. GB/T 8946, General technical requirements for plastic woven bags. GB 15618, Soil environmental quality - Risk control standard for soil contamination of agricultural land (trial). GB/T 41363, Seeds and seedlings of Chinese medicinal materials - Danshen. NY/T 496, Rules for rational fertilizer use - General rules. NY/T 525, Organic fertilizer. NY/T 1276, Rules for safe use of pesticides - General rules. NY/T 1868, Rules for rational fertilizer use - Organic fertilizer.

3 Terms and definitions

The following terms and definitions apply to this document.

3.1 Daodi herbs: Chinese medicinal materials selected through long clinical use in Chinese medicine, produced in a particular region, of better quality and efficacy and of stable quality compared with the same medicinal material produced in other regions, and enjoying a high reputation.

3.2 Danshen: perennial herb of the genus Salvia in the family Lamiaceae (Salvia miltiorrhiza Bunge.), whose dried root and rhizome are used as medicine.

5 Choice of production site

5.1 Environment of the production site. The surrounding ecological environment is to be free of pollution; air quality is to comply with the grade two requirements of GB 3095; screening values for the risk of soil contamination are to comply with GB 15618; and irrigation water for farmland is to comply with GB 5084.

5.2 Choice of plot. Choose a plot that has not carried Danshen for three years or more: a) with a deep soil layer, loose texture and medium fertility; b) easy to drain and irrigate, avoiding waterlogged and low-lying ground; c) with soil that is preferably on the sandy side, avoiding heavy clay.

6 Choice of seed

6.1 Choice of variety. Choose traditional varieties suited to use in the Daodi producing area, or varieties that have been approved, identified or registered.

6.2 Seed quality requirements. Use seed harvested in the current year that meets the requirements of GB/T 41363 for grade two quality or better.

7 Raising seedlings from seed

7.1.1 Clear stones and weeds from the field and plough deeply to more than 20 cm.

7.1.2 Broadcast 600 kg to 1500 kg of commercial organic fertilizer and 150 kg to 450 kg of nitrogen-phosphorus-potassium compound fertilizer of the potassium sulfate type, grade 15-15-15, per hectare, rotary till deeply to 10 cm to 20 cm, and harrow level and fine. The commercial organic fertilizer is to comply with NY/T 525; fertilizer is to be used in accordance with NY/T 496 and NY/T 1868.

7.1.3 Make raised beds 120 cm to 150 cm wide, with furrows 20 cm wide and 20 cm to 30 cm deep.

7.2 Sowing. Sow between the end of June and the first ten days of August, using 75.0 kg to 97.5 kg of seed per hectare broadcast evenly over the seedbed; press lightly so that the seed is in full contact with the soil, cover with crop straw or shade netting, keep the soil moist after sowing, and remove the covering 7 to 10 days later on an overcast day or in the evening.

8 Land preparation and ridging

8.1.1 Before sowing or planting, plough deeply to 25 cm to 35 cm so that the soil is level and fine, free of stones and free of weeds. A drainage ditch is advised around the plot to prevent water standing in the field.

8.1.2 Broadcast 1200 kg to 2400 kg of commercial organic fertilizer and 450 kg to 750 kg of nitrogen-phosphorus-potassium compound fertilizer of the potassium sulfate type, grade 15-15-15, per hectare as a base dressing. The commercial organic fertilizer is to comply with NY/T 525; fertilizer is to be used in accordance with NY/T 496 and NY/T 1868.

8.2 Ridging. The ridge top is 35 cm to 40 cm wide, the spacing between ridges is 80 cm to 90 cm, and the furrow between ridges is 25 cm deep.

9 Planting

9.1.1 Sow between the middle and end of July and the middle and end of August.

9.1.2 Sow in hills or in drills, placing the seed directly on the ridge top and pressing lightly so that it is in full contact with the soil, two rows to a ridge at a row spacing of 20 cm, using 8.25 kg to 12.25 kg of seed per hectare.

9.1.3 Shade after sowing; for the first three days the relative soil moisture content is advisedly held at about 90 %, then reduced gradually to 60 % to 70 %; guard against water standing in wet weather.

9.1.4 In the following spring, thin or fill in as needed, advisedly to 12000 plants per hectare.

9.2.1 Transplant from the end of October until the ground freezes, or from the last ten days of February to the first ten days of April of the following year.

9.2.2 Use healthy seedlings with a well-developed root system, of even development, undamaged, free of disease spots and free of rot.

9.2.3 Open holes or a furrow on the ridge top and water them; once the water has soaked in, plant in the holes or furrow at a row spacing of 18 cm to 20 cm and a plant spacing of 20 cm to 25 cm, then cover with soil and firm it.

9.3.1 Plant at the end of October, or in February to March of the following year, when the soil is free of frost.

9.3.2 Use healthy one-year-old roots that are fairly straight, vermilion in colour, free of deformity, free of splitting, free of pests and disease, and 0.7 cm to 1.5 cm in diameter, cut into sections 5 cm to 6 cm long as seed roots.

9.3.3 Where soil moisture is good, lift and plant in one operation. Open a furrow 4 cm to 6 cm deep on the ridge top, two rows to a ridge, at a row spacing of 20 cm to 22 cm and a plant spacing of 20 cm to 25 cm; lay the seed roots flat in the furrow, cover with soil 5 cm to 6 cm deep and firm it.

10 Field management

10.1 Weeding. Carry out the first inter-row cultivation and weeding when the seedlings are 10 cm to 15 cm tall, working shallow so as not to damage the roots; weed a second time in June and a third time in July or August, and stop cultivating once the crop has closed over the ridge. Where conditions allow, black plastic mulch may be used against weeds.

10.2 Top dressing. In April or May of the second year for directly sown fields, in the middle to late part of August for fields planted from transplanted seedlings, and in June or July for fields planted from root sections, broadcast 750 kg to 1500 kg per hectare of nitrogen-phosphorus-potassium compound fertilizer of the potassium sulfate type, grade 15-15-15, as needed, in combination with inter-row cultivation and weeding. Fertilizer is to be used in accordance with NY/T 496 and NY/T 1868.

10.3 Water management. Water in good time during the growing period, and drain promptly in a rainy season to prevent waterlogging.

10.4 Removal of flowering stems. Except on plants kept for seed, the flowering stems may be removed in the production field to promote root growth.

10.5.1 Principle of control: prevention first, integrated control, giving priority to cultural, physical and biological control, with the necessary chemical control as a supplement.

10.5.2 Cultural control: rotate with wheat, maize, millet and other grass crops; remove weeds, diseased plants and dead plants from the field promptly.

10.5.3 Physical control: according to the habits of the pest, use insecticidal lamps, sugar and vinegar solutions, sex attractants and the like to trap and kill.

10.5.4 Biological control: use natural enemies and biological preparations, for example parasitic wasps against aphids and Bacillus subtilis and similar microbial preparations against root rot.

10.5.5 Chemical control: use only registered pesticides, and apply none in the 30 days before harvest; pesticides are to be used in accordance with GB/T 8321 (all parts) and NY/T 1276. The main diseases of Danshen and their control are given in Annex A.

11 Harvesting and primary processing

11.1 Harvesting. Harvest from the last ten days of October until the ground freezes, or before sprouting in the following year. The growing period is about 18 months for direct sowing and 8 to 12 months for transplanted seedlings and for root sections.

11.2 Primary processing. After harvest, choose a clean, hygienic and well-ventilated drying area and dry in the sun or in a drier to a moisture content of not more than 13 %.

12 Packaging and storage

12.1 Packaging. Use dry, breathable, clean and uncontaminated packaging material; cartons, woven bags or jute sacks are advised. Cartons are to meet the requirements of GB/T 6543; woven bags are to meet the requirements of GB/T 8946; jute sacks are to meet the requirements of GB/T 731.

12.2 Storage. Choose a clean, dry storage place that is free of light and of heat. Mould and browning are to be avoided during storage.

13 Production records and records management

13.1 Production records. The producer is to record the following information promptly, accurately and in detail: a) the climate, soil, temperature and moisture of the growing area; b) the source of the seed and seedlings, the time of planting, the method of planting and the main technical points; c) the specific measures taken for seedling management, field management and water management; d) the specific measures taken against pests and diseases and their effect; e) the time and method of harvest and the primary processing carried out.

13.2 Records management. Production records, test reports and similar material are to be filed and kept for not less than 24 months. The use of information technology to manage those records and files is advised, so that production information can be traced.

A Annex A (informative) Main diseases of Danshen and their control

Table A.1 gives, for each of three diseases, the part of the plant affected, the symptoms, the time of occurrence and the recommended control.

Leaf blight affects the leaves. It begins on the lower old leaves and spreads upwards; small round brown spots appear at first and gradually enlarge, the centre turning greyish brown, and finally the leaf scorches and the plant dies. It occurs in June and July. Control: select seed carefully and use healthy, disease-free seedlings; keep the field clean, remove diseased leaves promptly, and spray with a chemical preparation where necessary.

Root rot or stem rot affects the root or the stem. Brown dry rot appears first on the fine roots and spreads gradually to the main root, which finally rots; the stem wilts and dies and the whole plant dies. It occurs from May to November. Control: avoid continuous cropping, leaving three to five years before planting the crop again on the same ground; rotate Danshen with grass crops or with medicinal plants not grown for their roots; drain promptly and prevent water standing; remove diseased plants promptly; and treat the roots at transplanting, for example by dipping.

Root-knot nematode disease affects the root. After the nematodes enter the root they stimulate the root cells to divide faster, forming galls of varying size; the galls are yellowish white and smooth at first and later turn reddish brown. The fine roots are infected first, and the galls on the main root swell as infection goes on; most plants grow less vigorously, and a few die back above ground where the infection is heavy. It occurs from March to November. Control: avoid continuous cropping; select seed carefully and use healthy, disease-free seedlings; and treat the soil by disinfection before sowing.