Method for improving seedling rate of rhododendron by using walnut shells

Abstract

The invention discloses a method for improving the seedling rate of rhododendron by using walnut shells. The method comprises the following steps: step 1, collecting seeds; 2, preparing a matrix; 4, seedbed setting and sowing; and 5, replacing the substrate. According to the method, the seedling rate and the seedling plant height of the rhododendron molle and the rhododendron latifolium are increased, the seedling rate of the rhododendron molle is increased to 66%, the plant height is increased to 15.3 cm, the seedling rate of the rhododendron molle is increased to 60%, the plant height is increased to 7.8 cm, the method is simple and easy to implement, the seedling yield and quality of the rhododendron molle and the rhododendron latifolium are improved, and the method is suitable for large-scale popularization and application of the rhododendron molle and the rhododendron latifolium. The method solves the problems of low seedling rate, slow seedling growth, high death rate and the like in the existing artificial seedling raising technology of the rhododendron simsii, facilitates promotion of large-scale artificial breeding of the rhododendron simsii, increases the utilization rate of the walnut shells, provides a new strategy for resource reutilization of the walnut shells, and realizes resource reutilization of wastes.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of azalea propagation technology, and in particular to a method for improving the seedling survival rate of azaleas using walnut shells. Background Technology

[0002] Rhododendron is a general term for shrubs or trees belonging to the genus Rhododendron L. in the family Ericaceae. Peach-leaved Rhododendron (Rhododendron annae) and thin-leaved Rhododendron leptothrium are shrubs of the Rhododendron genus and are seed plants unique to southwestern my country, possessing significant ornamental and scientific research value.

[0003] Currently, existing artificial seedling cultivation techniques for rhododendrons face problems such as low seedling survival rate, slow seedling growth, and high mortality rate. There is limited research on improving the seedling survival rate of these two types of rhododendrons, and further in-depth research is needed to provide more reference value for their production and application.

[0004] As a waste product during the processing and consumption of walnuts, walnut shells contain a variety of nutrients and active substances such as lignin, flavonoids, and phenolic acids. However, due to the complexity of traditional extraction processes for these substances, they are currently rarely used. Most walnut shells are directly discarded and incinerated, without being reused as resources, which also causes environmental pollution.

[0005] Therefore, this invention provides a method to improve the seedling survival rate and seedling height of *Rhododendron simsii* and *Rhododendron simsii*, thereby increasing the yield and quality of rhododendron seedlings. It addresses the problems of low seedling survival rate, slow seedling growth, and high mortality in existing rhododendron artificial seedling cultivation techniques, facilitating the large-scale artificial propagation of rhododendrons. Simultaneously, it increases the utilization rate of walnut shells, providing a new strategy for the resource reuse of walnut shells. This method of resource reuse of waste is a problem that urgently needs to be solved by those skilled in the art. Summary of the Invention

[0006] In view of this, the present invention provides a method for improving the seedling survival rate of azaleas using walnut shells.

[0007] To solve the above-mentioned technical problems, the present invention adopts the following technical solution:

[0008] A method for improving the seedling survival rate of azaleas using walnut shells includes the following steps:

[0009] Step 1: Seed Collection

[0010] When the rhododendron capsules turn dark brown and are not yet split open, collect the capsules, spread them out in a dry and ventilated place to air dry, and after they split open naturally, take out the seeds, remove the pericarp and other impurities, put them in a drying oven to dry to constant weight, and then take them out and store them.

[0011] Step 2: Matrix Preparation

[0012] Use a uniform mixture of peat moss and perlite as the seedbed substrate, and spray the substrate for disinfection.

[0013] Step 3: Culture medium preparation and seed treatment

[0014] Crush the walnut shells into small pieces, boil them in water, filter the solution to obtain an extract, add GA3 to make a culture medium, soak the seeds stored in step 1 in the culture medium, take them out and rinse them with clean water; put the filtered walnut shells into a drying oven and dry them to constant weight, then take them out for later use.

[0015] Step 4: Seedbed setup and sowing

[0016] Set up several seedbeds, adjust the seedbed substrate, sow the seeds treated in step 3 onto the substrate surface, cover with soil after sowing, water thoroughly, and cover with plastic film; control the temperature and humidity of the seedbeds and natural light, and remove the plastic film after the seeds germinate.

[0017] Step 5: Substrate Replacement

[0018] Mix the walnut shells processed in step 3 with peat moss and perlite evenly as a cultivation substrate; after the seeds in step 4 have germinated for one year, take out the seedlings and plant them in flowerpots filled with the cultivation substrate.

[0019] Preferably, in step 1, the pericarp and other impurities are removed to achieve a seed purity of over 90%.

[0020] Preferably, in step 1, the product is dried in a drying oven at 25±1℃ until constant weight, then removed and stored in a glass bottle at 4±1℃.

[0021] Preferably, in step 2, the volume ratio of peat moss to perlite is 8:2.

[0022] Preferably, in step 2, the seedbed substrate is sprayed with a 500-fold dilution of 80% carbendazim wettable powder for disinfection.

[0023] Preferably, in step 3, the walnut shells are crushed into small pieces, each weighing about 2g;

[0024] Add water at a solid-liquid ratio of 1:10-20 g / mL and boil for 6-8 hours, with a preferred solid-liquid ratio of 1:15 g / mL.

[0025] Preferably, in step 3, 400 mg of GA3 is added to each L of extract to prepare a culture medium, the seeds stored in step 1) are soaked in the culture medium for 24 h, and the filtered walnut shells are dried in a drying oven at 25±1℃ until constant weight.

[0026] Preferably, in step 4, each seedbed is 1m×1m×10cm in size, and the pH of the seedbed substrate is adjusted to 5.0-6.0.

[0027] Preferably, in step 4, the sowing density is 100 seeds / m². 2 After sowing, cover with 2-4 mm of soil and control the seedbed temperature at 20±2℃ and humidity at 90±5%.

[0028] Preferably, in step 5, the walnut shells processed in step 3 are mixed evenly with peat moss and perlite in a volume ratio of 3:5:2 to serve as the cultivation substrate.

[0029] The present invention achieves the following technical effects compared to the prior art:

[0030] (1) The method of the present invention improves the seedling rate and seedling height of Rhododendron simsii and Rhododendron simsii, increasing the seedling rate of Rhododendron simsii to 66% and the seedling height to 15.3cm, and the seedling rate of Rhododendron simsii to 60% and the seedling height to 7.8cm.

[0031] (2) The method of the present invention is simple and easy to implement, which improves the yield and quality of seedlings of Rhododendron simsii and Rhododendron simsii, and solves the problems of low germination rate and seedling rate, slow seedling growth and high mortality rate in the existing artificial seedling technology of Rhododendron, which is conducive to promoting the large-scale artificial breeding of Rhododendron.

[0032] (2) The method of the present invention increases the utilization rate of walnut shells, provides a new strategy for the resource reuse of walnut shells, and realizes the resource reuse of waste. Attached Figure Description

[0033] Figure 1 These are images showing the growth status of *Rhododendron simsii* seedlings after two years of cultivation in the embodiments and comparative examples of this invention.

[0034] Figure 2 The image shows the growth status of *Lonicera macrantha* seedlings after two years of cultivation, as described in the embodiments and comparative examples of this invention. Detailed Implementation

[0035] The technical solutions of the embodiments of the present invention will be clearly and completely described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Obviously, the described embodiments are only some embodiments of the present invention, and not all embodiments. Based on the embodiments of the present invention, all other embodiments obtained by those skilled in the art without creative effort are within the scope of protection of the present invention.

[0036] This invention discloses a method for improving the seedling survival rate of azaleas using walnut shells, the specific steps of which are as follows:

[0037] Step 1: Seed Collection

[0038] When the rhododendron capsules turn dark brown and are not yet split open, collect the capsules and spread them out in a dry and ventilated place to air dry. After they split open naturally, take out the seeds, remove the pericarp and other impurities to make the seeds clean to more than 90%, put them in a drying oven at 25±1℃ to dry to constant weight, and then take them out and store them in a glass bottle at 4±1℃.

[0039] Step 2: Matrix Preparation

[0040] A uniform mixture of peat moss and perlite was used as the seedbed substrate, with a volume ratio of 8:2. The seedbed substrate was disinfected by spraying with a 500-fold dilution of 80% carbendazim wettable powder.

[0041] Step 3: Culture medium preparation and seed treatment

[0042] Crush the walnut shells into small pieces, each weighing about 2g. Add water at a solid-liquid ratio of 1:10-20g / mL and boil for 6-8 hours, preferably 1:15g / mL. Filter to obtain the extract. Add 400mg of GA3 to each L of extract to prepare a culture medium. Soak the seeds stored in step 1 in the culture medium for 24 hours, then rinse with clean water. Place the filtered walnut shells in a drying oven at 25±1℃ and dry until constant weight. Remove and set aside for later use.

[0043] Step 4: Seedbed setup and sowing

[0044] Set up several seedbeds, each measuring 1m × 1m × 10cm. Adjust the pH of the seedbed substrate to 5.0–6.0. ​​Sow the seeds treated in step 3 onto the substrate surface at a density of 100 seeds / m². 2 After sowing, cover with 2-4mm of soil, water thoroughly, and then cover with plastic film; control the temperature of the seedbed at 20±2℃ and the humidity at 90±5%, and allow natural light. Remove the plastic film after the seeds have germinated.

[0045] Step 5: Substrate Replacement

[0046] Mix the walnut shells processed in step 3 with peat moss and perlite in a volume ratio of 3:5:2 to form a cultivation substrate. After the seeds from step 4 have germinated for one year, take out the seedlings and plant them in flowerpots filled with the cultivation substrate.

[0047] Example 1:

[0048] A method for improving the seedling survival rate of azaleas using walnut shells, the specific steps of which are as follows:

[0049] Step 1: Seed Collection

[0050] When the rhododendron capsules turn dark brown and are not yet split open, collect the capsules and spread them out in a dry and ventilated place to air dry. After they split open naturally, take out the seeds, remove the pericarp and other impurities to make the seeds clean to more than 90%, put them in a drying oven at 25±1℃ to dry to constant weight, and then take them out and store them in a glass bottle at 4±1℃.

[0051] Step 2: Matrix Preparation

[0052] A uniform mixture of peat moss and perlite was used as the seedbed substrate, with a volume ratio of 8:2. The seedbed substrate was disinfected by spraying with a 500-fold dilution of 80% carbendazim wettable powder.

[0053] Step 3: Culture medium preparation and seed treatment

[0054] Crush the walnut shells into small pieces, each weighing about 2g. Add water at a solid-liquid ratio of 1:15g / mL and boil for 6-8 hours. Filter to obtain the extract. Add 400mg of GA3 to each L of extract to prepare a culture medium. Soak the seeds stored in step 1 in the culture medium for 24 hours, then rinse with clean water. Place the filtered walnut shells in a drying oven at 25±1℃ and dry until constant weight. Remove and set aside for later use.

[0055] Step 4: Seedbed setup and sowing

[0056] Set up several seedbeds, each measuring 1m × 1m × 10cm. Adjust the pH of the seedbed substrate to 5.0–6.0. ​​Sow the seeds treated in step 3 onto the substrate surface at a density of 100 seeds / m². 2 After sowing, cover with 2-4mm of soil, water thoroughly, and then cover with plastic film; control the temperature of the seedbed at 20±2℃ and the humidity at 90±5%, and allow natural light. Remove the plastic film after the seeds have germinated.

[0057] Step 5: Substrate Replacement

[0058] Mix the walnut shells processed in step 3 with peat moss and perlite in a volume ratio of 3:5:2 to form a cultivation substrate. After the seeds from step 4 have germinated for one year, take out the seedlings and plant them in flowerpots filled with the cultivation substrate.

[0059] Example 2:

[0060] A method for improving the seedling survival rate of azaleas using walnut shells, the specific steps of which are as follows:

[0061] Step 1: Seed Collection

[0062] When the rhododendron capsules turn dark brown and are not yet split open, collect the capsules and spread them out in a dry and ventilated place to air dry. After they split open naturally, take out the seeds, remove the pericarp and other impurities to make the seeds clean to more than 90%, put them in a drying oven at 25±1℃ to dry to constant weight, and then take them out and store them in a glass bottle at 4±1℃.

[0063] Step 2: Matrix Preparation

[0064] A uniform mixture of peat moss and perlite was used as the seedbed substrate, with a volume ratio of 8:2. The seedbed substrate was disinfected by spraying with a 500-fold dilution of 80% carbendazim wettable powder.

[0065] Step 3: Culture medium preparation and seed treatment

[0066] Crush the walnut shells into small pieces, each weighing about 2g. Add water at a solid-liquid ratio of 1:10g / mL and boil for 6 hours. Filter to obtain the extract. Add 400mg of GA3 to each L of extract to prepare a culture medium. Soak the seeds stored in step 1 in the culture medium for 24 hours, then rinse with clean water. Place the filtered walnut shells in a drying oven at 25±1℃ and dry until constant weight. Remove and set aside for later use.

[0067] Step 4: Seedbed setup and sowing

[0068] Set up several seedbeds, each measuring 1m × 1m × 10cm. Adjust the pH of the seedbed substrate to 5.0. Sow the seeds treated in step 3 onto the substrate surface at a density of 100 seeds / m². 2 After sowing, cover with 2mm of soil, water thoroughly, and then cover with plastic film; control the temperature of the seedbed at 20±2℃ and the humidity at 90±5%, and allow natural light. Remove the plastic film after the seeds have germinated.

[0069] Step 5: Substrate Replacement

[0070] Mix the walnut shells processed in step 3 with peat moss and perlite in a volume ratio of 3:5:2 to form a cultivation substrate. After the seeds from step 4 have germinated for one year, take out the seedlings and plant them in flowerpots filled with the cultivation substrate.

[0071] Example 3:

[0072] A method for improving the seedling survival rate of azaleas using walnut shells, the specific steps of which are as follows:

[0073] Step 1: Seed Collection

[0074] When the rhododendron capsules turn dark brown and are not yet split open, collect the capsules and spread them out in a dry and ventilated place to air dry. After they split open naturally, take out the seeds, remove the pericarp and other impurities to make the seeds clean to more than 90%, put them in a drying oven at 25±1℃ to dry to constant weight, and then take them out and store them in a glass bottle at 4±1℃.

[0075] Step 2: Matrix Preparation

[0076] A uniform mixture of peat moss and perlite was used as the seedbed substrate, with a volume ratio of 8:2. The seedbed substrate was disinfected by spraying with a 500-fold dilution of 80% carbendazim wettable powder.

[0077] Step 3: Culture medium preparation and seed treatment

[0078] Crush the walnut shells into small pieces, each weighing about 2g. Add water at a solid-liquid ratio of 1:20g / mL and boil for 8 hours. Filter to obtain the extract. Add 400mg of GA3 to each L of extract to prepare a culture medium. Soak the seeds stored in step 1 in the culture medium for 24 hours, then rinse with clean water. Place the filtered walnut shells in a drying oven at 25±1℃ and dry until constant weight. Remove and set aside for later use.

[0079] Step 4: Seedbed setup and sowing

[0080] Set up several seedbeds, each measuring 1m × 1m × 10cm. Adjust the pH of the seedbed substrate to 6.0. Sow the seeds treated in step 3 onto the substrate surface at a density of 100 seeds / m². 2 After sowing, cover with 4mm of soil, water thoroughly, and then cover with plastic film; control the temperature of the seedbed at 20±2℃ and the humidity at 90±5%, and allow natural light. Remove the plastic film after the seeds have germinated.

[0081] Step 5: Substrate Replacement

[0082] Mix the walnut shells processed in step 3 with peat moss and perlite in a volume ratio of 3:5:2 to form a cultivation substrate. After the seeds from step 4 have germinated for one year, take out the seedlings and plant them in flowerpots filled with the cultivation substrate.

[0083] Comparative Example 1:

[0084] The difference between this comparative example and Example 1 is that in this example, step 3 involves breaking the walnut shells into small pieces, each weighing about 2g, and boiling them with water at a solid-liquid ratio of 1:15g / mL for 6-8 hours. In this comparative example, water is added at a solid-liquid ratio of 1:10g / mL and boiled for 6-8 hours. The extract is then obtained after filtration.

[0085] Comparative Example 2:

[0086] The difference between this comparative example and Example 1 is that in this example, step 3 involves breaking the walnut shells into small pieces, each weighing about 2g, and boiling them with water at a solid-liquid ratio of 1:15g / mL for 6-8 hours. In this comparative example, water is added at a solid-liquid ratio of 1:20g / mL and boiled for 6-8 hours. The extract is then obtained after filtration.

[0087] Comparative Example 3:

[0088] The difference between this comparative example and Example 1 is that in this example, step 5 involves mixing the walnut shells treated in step 3 with peat moss and perlite in a volume ratio of 3:5:2 to form a cultivation substrate, while in this comparative example, peat moss and perlite are mixed in a volume ratio of 7:3 to form a cultivation substrate.

[0089] Comparative Example 4:

[0090] The difference between this comparative example and Example 1 is as follows: In this example, step 3 involves crushing the walnut shells into small pieces, each weighing about 2g, and boiling them with water at a solid-liquid ratio of 1:15g / mL for 6-8 hours, while in this comparative example, water is added at a solid-liquid ratio of 1:10g / mL and boiled for 6-8 hours. The extract is then obtained after filtration. In this example, step 5 involves mixing the walnut shells treated in step 3 with peat moss and perlite at a volume ratio of 3:5:2 to create a cultivation substrate, while in this comparative example, peat moss and perlite are mixed at a volume ratio of 7:3 to create a cultivation substrate.

[0091] Comparative Example 5:

[0092] The difference between this comparative example and Example 1 is as follows: In this example, step 3 involves crushing the walnut shells into small pieces, each weighing about 2g, and boiling them with water at a solid-liquid ratio of 1:15g / mL for 6-8 hours, while in this comparative example, water is added at a solid-liquid ratio of 1:20g / mL and boiled for 6-8 hours. The extract is then obtained after filtration. In this example, step 5 involves mixing the walnut shells treated in step 3 with peat moss and perlite at a volume ratio of 3:5:2 to create a cultivation substrate, while in this comparative example, peat moss and perlite are mixed at a volume ratio of 7:3 to create a cultivation substrate.

[0093] After two years of cultivation of Rhododendron simsii and Rhododendron simsii in Examples 1-3 and Comparative Examples 1-5, respectively, the various indicators are shown in Table 1.

[0094] Table 1:

[0095]

[0096] As shown in Table 1, the *Rhododendron simsii* and *Lonicera japonica* in Examples 1-3 showed better seedling survival rates and plant heights than their counterparts, fully demonstrating the technical advantages of Examples 1-3. Among them, the data constraint effect in Example 1 was the best, improving the seedling survival rate and seedling height of *Rhododendron simsii* and *Lonicera japonica*, increasing the yield and quality of seedlings, and solving the problems of low seedling survival rate, slow seedling growth, and high mortality rate in existing artificial seedling cultivation techniques for rhododendrons. This is conducive to promoting the large-scale artificial propagation of rhododendrons and also increases the utilization rate of walnut shells, providing a new strategy for the resource reuse of walnut shells and realizing the resource reuse of waste.

[0097] The above description is merely a preferred embodiment of the present invention and does not constitute any limitation on the technical scope of the present invention. Therefore, any minor modifications, equivalent changes, and alterations made to the above embodiments based on the technical essence of the present invention shall still fall within the scope of the technical solution of the present invention.

Claims

1. A method for improving the seedling survival rate of azaleas using walnut shells, characterized in that, Includes the following steps: Step 1: Seed Collection When the rhododendron capsules turn dark brown and are not yet split open, collect the capsules, spread them out in a dry and ventilated place to air dry, and after they split open naturally, take out the seeds, remove the pericarp and other impurities, put them in a drying oven to dry to constant weight, and then take them out and store them. Step 2: Matrix Preparation Use a uniform mixture of peat moss and perlite as the seedbed substrate, and spray the substrate for disinfection. Step 3: Culture medium preparation and seed treatment Crush the walnut shells into small pieces, boil them in water, filter the solution to obtain an extract, add GA3 to make a culture medium, soak the seeds stored in step 1 in the culture medium, take them out and rinse them with clean water; put the filtered walnut shells into a drying oven and dry them to constant weight, then take them out for later use. Step 4: Seedbed setup and sowing Set up several seedbeds, adjust the seedbed substrate, sow the seeds treated in step 3 onto the substrate surface, cover with soil after sowing, water thoroughly, and cover with plastic film; control the temperature and humidity of the seedbeds and natural light, and remove the plastic film after the seeds germinate. Step 5: Substrate Replacement Mix the walnut shells processed in step 3 with peat moss and perlite evenly as a cultivation substrate; after the seeds in step 4 have germinated for one year, take out the seedlings and plant them in flowerpots filled with the cultivation substrate.

2. The method for improving the seedling survival rate of azaleas using walnut shells according to claim 1, characterized in that, In step 1, the pericarp and other impurities are removed to achieve a seed purity of over 90%.

3. The method for improving the seedling survival rate of azaleas using walnut shells according to claim 1, characterized in that, In step 1, the product is placed in a drying oven at 25±1℃ and dried to constant weight, then removed and stored in a glass bottle at 4±1℃.

4. The method for improving the seedling survival rate of azaleas using walnut shells according to claim 1, characterized in that, In step 2, the volume ratio of peat moss to perlite is 8:

2.

5. A method for improving the seedling survival rate of azaleas using walnut shells according to claim 1, characterized in that, In step 2, the seedbed substrate is sprayed with a 500-fold dilution of 80% carbendazim wettable powder for disinfection.

6. A method for improving the seedling survival rate of azaleas using walnut shells according to claim 1, characterized in that, In step 3, the walnut shells are broken into small pieces, each weighing about 2g. Add water at a solid-liquid ratio of 1:10-20 g / mL and boil for 6-8 hours, with a preferred solid-liquid ratio of 1:15 g / mL.

7. A method for improving the seedling survival rate of azaleas using walnut shells according to claim 1, characterized in that, In step 3, 400 mg of GA3 is added to each L of extract to prepare a culture medium. The seeds stored in step 1) are soaked in the culture medium for 24 h. The filtered walnut shells are dried in a drying oven at 25±1℃ until constant weight.

8. A method for improving the seedling survival rate of azaleas using walnut shells according to claim 1, characterized in that, In step 4, each seedbed is 1m×1m×10cm in size, and the pH of the seedbed substrate is adjusted to 5.0-6.

0.

9. A method for improving the seedling survival rate of azaleas using walnut shells according to claim 1, characterized in that, In step 4, the sowing density is 100 seeds / m². 2 After sowing, cover with 2-4 mm of soil and control the seedbed temperature at 20±2℃ and humidity at 90±5%.

10. A method for improving the seedling survival rate of azaleas using walnut shells according to claim 1, characterized in that, In step 5, the walnut shells processed in step 3 are mixed evenly with peat moss and perlite in a volume ratio of 3:5:2 to serve as the cultivation substrate.

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