[Study on effect of picking bud and cutting old branch on the production of root bark of Fengdan in Anhui].

Objective: To increase the production of root bark of Fengdan by means of picking bud and cutting old branch cultivated in Nanling, Anhui province.

Methods: An experimental plot where Fengdan has been culitivated for 4 years was selected, which was divided into 3 sections for the experiment of picking bud, cutting old branch and comparison. The buds were picked in spring of the first year. 20 plants were dug randomly from both of picking bud and comparison section monthly during April and September, and the dry weight of their root bark was recorded, respectively. The old branches were cut in autumn. 20 plants were dug randomly from both sections of cutting branch and comparison monthly during April and September of the second year, and their root bark dry weight was recorded.

Results: The statistical and comparative results showed that compared to the comparison section, prcking bud section botains little increase of production of root bark, while cutting old branch section had got notable increase of production.

Conclusion: Picking bud plays an unimportant role in the production of Fengdan bark, while cutting old branch has significant influence on it.