The process of capturing wild astragalus seedlings involves a careful and methodical approach, typically carried out from April to October each year. These seedlings are commonly found in rice paddies and shallow water ditches, where they can be captured using a cricket cage. The best time for collection is after a hot and thunderous day, when the maximum number of seedlings emerge, especially during the evening hours. One person can collect up to 200 seedlings at once. At night or following a storm, the cages are placed in the field's gutters and left for a few hours. When using the cricket cage, two key points should be considered: first, use crickets as bait, and check the cage 2-3 times per night. Second, ensure that the cage’s tail is slightly above the water surface so that the yellow baboons (a type of aquatic animal) can breathe, preventing suffocation or anoxia. At dawn, the cages are retrieved, with larger seedlings sold and smaller ones kept for future growth. This method ensures healthy, injury-free seedlings with a high survival rate.
Another technique involves using lights at night to spot the animals foraging near the trenches and catching them with a clip or by hand. It is important to handle them gently to avoid damaging their bodies. Once caught, the seedlings must be stocked immediately to maintain their vitality.
Purchasing seedlings from the market is another option. It is crucial to select robust and healthy specimens. Farmers should look for cages that have been maintained in a clean, water-changing environment. Avoid any seedlings that may have been exposed to pesticides or show signs of illness. Astragalus membranaceus can be categorized into three types based on color and growth rate: the first has large yellow spots and grows quickly; the second has a greenish-yellow hue and is common; the third has a gray body with fine spots and grows more slowly. Seedlings should be kept separately to optimize growth. The weight gain ratio per kilogram of pods produced is approximately 1:5–6 for the fast-growing type, 1:3–4 for the moderate type, and 1:1–2 for the slow-growing one. Ideal sizes range between 20–50 individuals per kilogram. Too small, and the survival rate drops; too large, and the economic return may not be optimal. However, market conditions can influence this decision—such as higher prices around the Spring Festival, which might encourage farmers to stock larger seedlings.
Semi-artificial propagation methods include simulating natural spawning environments in aquaculture ponds. At the end of each year, strong, healthy seedlings (with tail weights of 100–200 grams and vibrant coloration) are selected and wintered in organic-rich pools until June or July. As water temperatures rise above 15°C, feeding is intensified. During the breeding season, it is essential to monitor the eggs laid by the fish and hatch them promptly. Once hatched, the seedlings must be moved to separate pools to prevent cannibalism. In the rearing tanks, organic manure like chicken dung can be used to cultivate plankton, which serves as food for the larvae. If zooplankton is scarce, cooked egg yolk can be introduced as a supplement. As the young grow, their activity patterns gradually expand.
Another method involves collecting fertilized eggs from the wild. During midsummer, foam-like clusters on the surface of lakes and marshes may indicate spawning nests. These can be collected using a scoop or rice spoon and placed in a container filled with fresh water. The eggs are then incubated in a quail egg incubator, following similar management practices as those used in artificial breeding hatcheries. This method offers a reliable way to raise healthy seedlings under controlled conditions.
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