Method for orchard annual intercropping vegetable coupling ecological weed control

Abstract

The present application relates to the technical field of orchard ecological cultivation, in particular to a method for orchard annual intercropping vegetable coupling ecological weed control. It comprises the following steps: (1) winter weed prevention community construction; (2) spring intercropping community connection; (3) summer weed and insect prevention community construction; (4) autumn intercropping community connection; (5) winter weed prevention community maintenance. The present application provides an orchard annual chemical-free weeding integrated ecological management method which is suitable for multiple ecological regions across the country, takes into account long-term prevention and control of annual weeds and perennial noxious weeds, ecological prevention and control of common orchard pests, completely avoids water and fertilizer competition between intercropped vegetables and fruit trees, simultaneously improves soil, improves fruit quality, and can realize economic benefit improvement through intercropped vegetables.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of orchard ecological cultivation technology, specifically to a method for year-round intercropping of vegetables with ecological weed suppression in orchards. Background Technology

[0002] Currently, orchard weed and insect control mainly rely on chemical agents, supplemented by physical weed control cloth covering, conventional green manure rotation, etc., all of which have inherent technical bottlenecks and cannot achieve the integrated goal of "weed suppression + insect control + soil improvement + labor saving + income increase": (1) Chemical agent control has significant defects: such as chemical weeding, which easily causes damage to soil micro-ecology, damage to shallow absorption roots of fruit trees, and pesticide residue risk in fruit products, which does not meet the requirements of green agricultural development; chemical insect control easily leads to increased insect resistance, destroys the natural enemy community in the orchard, triggers secondary insect outbreaks, and causes pesticide residues, affecting fruit safety. (2) Physical weed control is not practical enough: weed control cloth is not waterproof or breathable, is easy to age and generate secondary pollution, blocks soil material cycle, and has no insect control function. It has high usage costs and is difficult to clean up later, and is not suitable for large-scale orchard promotion. (3) There are shortcomings of conventional green manure technology: Conventional green manure can only control annual shallow-rooted weeds and has poor inhibitory effect on perennial malignant weeds such as cogongrass, field bindweed, goosegrass, and reeds; the roots of green manure spread disorderly and compete with the core absorption root zone of fruit trees for water and fertilizer; the single vegetation ecosystem is fragile and prone to outbreaks of diseases and pests; it can only achieve surface shading to suppress weeds, without the ability to effectively suppress weeds through the seed bank, resulting in a high recurrence rate of weeds the following year, and it does not have the function of preventing insects. At the same time, it does not select crop varieties that can be picked and eaten, does not have a clear fertilization plan, and cannot increase the additional economic benefits of the orchard through the picking of intercropped crops, and it is also difficult to guarantee the growth quality of intercropped crops.

[0003] Currently, there are also problems such as limited insect control effects of single aromatic plants, significant competition for nutrients between intercropped plants and fruit trees, and untapped economic value of intercropping. For example, in existing technologies, using single aromatic plants such as perilla for insect control in orchards can only control 1-2 types of pests, with a pest reduction rate of less than 60%, failing to address weed control needs. Furthermore, varieties adapted to the low-light environment of orchards are not selected, leading to problems such as excessive vegetative growth and insufficient release of aromatic substances after planting, resulting in poor adaptability. The economic value of perilla as a harvestable crop is not being explored, and corresponding fertilization and management plans are lacking, making it difficult to achieve continuous harvesting and high yields. Existing orchard intercropping models do not optimize plant combinations and timing, resulting in overlapping root systems of intercropped plants and fruit trees, easily competing for water and nutrients, leading to weak growth of fruit trees and poor growth of intercropped plants, failing to achieve synergistic coexistence. At the same time, the timing, method, and type of fertilization are not clearly defined, making it difficult to balance the growth of intercropped crops and the nutrient supply to fruit trees, and failing to improve the yield and quality of intercropped crops through reasonable fertilization, thus affecting the economic benefits of harvesting. In addition, existing intercropping in orchards mainly uses green manure, without selecting crop varieties that can be picked and eaten, or without specifying picking methods and fertilization management. This makes it impossible to increase the orchard's additional economic benefits through picking intercropped crops, which does not meet the development needs of orchards to diversify their income. Furthermore, the lack of targeted fertilization programs results in poor growth and low marketability of intercropped crops, further limiting the realization of increased income through picking.

[0004] In view of this, the present invention provides a method for year-round intercropping of vegetables in orchards coupled with ecological weed suppression. Summary of the Invention

[0005] The technical problem to be solved by this invention is to provide a method for year-round intercropping of vegetables with ecological weed control in orchards. The aim is to provide an integrated ecological technical solution to achieve year-round herbicide and chemical pesticide-free orchards, while taking into account multiple objectives such as weed control, pest control, soil improvement, labor saving, fruit tree quality improvement, and increased harvesting income. At the same time, it clarifies fertilization management and harvesting methods to ensure the yield and quality of intercropped crops.

[0006] The technical solution of the present invention to solve the above-mentioned technical problems is as follows: Firstly, a method for year-round intercropping of vegetables with ecological weed control in orchards includes the following steps: (1) Winter weed control community construction: In early October, in conjunction with the autumn and winter orchard cleanup and plowing, sow the seeds of Brassica napus and Brassica purpurea, and apply topdressing fertilizer. Harvest the Brassica napus and Brassica purpurea after they mature. (2) Spring intercropping community connection: From late March to early April, before removing the heart of the Brassica napus and the purple flowering stalk, mix the seeds of purple amaranth with the seeds of perilla and sow them. Then remove the heart of the Brassica napus and the purple flowering stalk. After the perilla and the purple amaranth mature, harvest them separately or harvest the whole plant. The perilla is only sown once in spring. (3) Construction of summer weed and insect control community: From April to August, the purple amaranth is re-sown multiple times after the first harvest, and topdressing is carried out during the re-sowing period. The perilla is continuously harvested, and no cutting or plowing is required throughout the process. (4) Autumn intercropping community connection: In early to mid-September, remove the remaining purple amaranth, retain the perilla, mix and sow the seeds of rapeseed heart and purple rapeseed between the rows of perilla, and apply topdressing. Harvest the rapeseed after it matures. Continue to harvest the perilla until it flowers and bears seeds, and finally wither and the seeds mature and fall into the soil. (5) Winter weed control community maintenance: From October to March of the following year, the heart of the rapeseed and the purple rapeseed continue to grow. Winter topdressing is carried out. Harvesting is stopped when the lateral stalks of the purple rapeseed are small, allowing it to grow naturally. The perilla residue covers the ground surface and is naturally returned to the field.

[0007] Based on the above technical solution, the present invention can be further improved as follows.

[0008] Furthermore, in step (1), the amount of seeds used per mu of the Brassica napus heart is 0.4-0.8 kg, preferably 0.6 kg, and the amount of seeds used per mu of the purple rapeseed is 0.4-0.8 kg, preferably 0.6 kg; 2-3 kg of urea is applied per mu 10-15 days after sowing; harvesting begins when the main stem of the purple rapeseed opens 2-3 flowers, and the basal leaves are retained.

[0009] Furthermore, in step (2), the amount of purple amaranth seeds used per mu is 0.4-0.6 kg, preferably 0.5 kg, and the amount of perilla seeds used per mu is 0.3-0.6 kg, preferably 0.4 kg; when the perilla grows to 25-30 cm, the tender tips are harvested, and 3-4 nodes at the base are retained; when the purple amaranth grows to 20-25 cm, the entire plant is pulled up.

[0010] Furthermore, in step (3), the purple amaranth is re-sown immediately after the first harvest at a rate of 0.2-0.4 kg / mu, preferably 0.3 kg / mu. Subsequent re-sowings are done every 20-25 days after each harvest, with each re-sowing at 0.2-0.4 kg / mu. Re-sowing ceases in mid-to-late August. Between each re-sowing, 10-20 kg of well-rotted cake fertilizer is applied per mu, preferably 15 kg. The sowing period of intercropped plants, the number of re-sowings of purple amaranth, the amount of fertilizer applied to winter-grown rapeseed hearts and purple cabbage shoots, and the harvesting cycle can be adjusted according to the differences in climate between subtropical, warm temperate, and temperate zones to adapt to orchards in multiple ecological zones in my country. The harvesting cycle in subtropical zones is shortened by 3-5 days, the harvesting cycle in temperate zones is extended by 3-5 days, and the standard cycle is followed in warm temperate zones.

[0011] Furthermore, in step (4), the seeds of the Brassica napus and the purple rapeseed are mixed in a 1:1 ratio, with a sowing amount of 1-1.4 kg per mu, preferably 1.2 kg; after the Brassica napus seedlings emerge, apply 2-3 kg of urea per mu, and when the plant height is 8-12 cm, preferably 10 cm, apply 20-30 kg of decomposed organic fertilizer per mu, preferably 25 kg.

[0012] Furthermore, in step (5), apply 25-40 kg of well-rotted organic fertilizer per mu in mid-November.

[0013] Furthermore, the roots of the Brassica napus and the purple flowering cabbage are distributed in the 10-15 cm soil layer, the roots of the purple amaranth are distributed in the 3-10 cm soil layer, and the roots of the perilla are distributed in the 10-20 cm soil layer; that is, each intercropped plant forms a vertical root layer of 3-20 cm, which does not overlap with the core absorption root zone of the fruit tree distributed below 40 cm. The perilla mentioned is a double-sided or bicolor perilla variety; the perilla aldehyde it releases can repel aphids, spider mites, and codling moths, achieving ecological pest control; after the perilla seeds are formed in autumn, they naturally fall into the soil and sprout on their own the following year, thus creating a cycle. In subsequent springs, only purple amaranth seeds need to be sown, eliminating the need to sow perilla seeds.

[0014] Furthermore, it also includes the following steps: orchard preparation, clearing weeds between rows, loosening the soil, leveling the ground and spreading well-rotted organic fertilizer as base fertilizer, and dividing the tree basin protection zone.

[0015] Furthermore, the depth of the shallow loosening of the soil is 1-2 cm, and the amount of the decomposed organic fertilizer as base fertilizer is 400-600 kg per mu, preferably 500 kg, which is fully decomposed and has an organic matter content of ≥30%.

[0016] Furthermore, the orchard includes at least one of the following: citrus orchard, persimmon orchard, vineyard, peach orchard, pear orchard, and plum orchard.

[0017] The principle behind the orchard year-round intercropping vegetable coupled with ecological weed suppression method of the present invention is as follows: (1) Multi-plant sequential crop rotation + stratified symbiosis principle: Through the seasonal rotation of "spring rapeseed heart + purple flowering cabbage + purple amaranth + perilla → summer purple amaranth (multiple replanting) + perilla → autumn perilla + purple amaranth + rapeseed heart + purple flowering cabbage → winter rapeseed heart + purple flowering cabbage", intercropping communities adapted to different seasons are formed; the root systems of each plant are distributed in layers (purple amaranth root system 3-10cm, perilla root system 1cm). The roots are 0–20cm thick (10–15cm for sweet rapeseed and 10–15cm for purple rapeseed), forming a vertical layer with the core absorbing root zone of fruit trees (usually concentrated in the deep soil below 40cm), thus avoiding competition for water and fertilizer in space; the above-ground parts are staggered in height and density, forming a closed shading and weed-suppressing layer, and the perilla releases aromatic substances to achieve ecological pest control, realizing a triple protection of "physical weed suppression + biochemical weed suppression + aromatic pest control".

[0018] (2) The principle of using purple vegetable crops as weed suppressing crops: Purple crops have a strong ability to absorb light. Upright purple crops can absorb and block light to the maximum extent. In spring and summer, the purple leaves of perilla and purple amaranth are nearly round and grow densely, forming an overlapping light barrier that completely covers the ground. The weeds below can hardly get the light needed for normal growth, thus inhibiting the growth of weeds. Similarly, in autumn and winter, the huge purple leaves of purple cabbage form an absolute barrier to the ground, thus inhibiting the growth of weeds.

[0019] (3) Mixing fast-growing and slow-growing vegetables for weed control: Fast-growing purple amaranth and slower-growing perilla are sown together at high density. The fast-growing amaranth can quickly form a ground cover during the later stages of the growth of the rapeseed heart in spring. The amaranth can be harvested successively in 20-30 days. At this time, the perilla has already sprouted and grown, and can work together with the purple amaranth sown later to complete the ground cover. Furthermore, as the perilla grows, the plants gradually increase in height, forming a double layer of cover with the newly grown purple amaranth below. The height of the perilla should be controlled at 35-40cm.

[0020] (4) Similarly, fast-growing rapeseed hearts and slow-growing purple seaweed can better form ground cover to suppress weeds.

[0021] (5) No-till: When sowing perilla and purple-leaf amaranth at high density in spring, seeds should be sown before removing the purple flowering stems and rapeseed hearts. When the purple flowering stems and rapeseed hearts are removed, the seeds of the sown perilla and purple-leaf amaranth will be carried into the soil, thus achieving self-coverage and no-tillage. Similarly, before harvesting the first batch of purple-leaf amaranth, the seeds of the second batch should be sown, and then the first batch of purple-leaf amaranth should be removed. That is, when removing the first batch of purple-leaf amaranth, the seeds of the second batch of purple-leaf amaranth will be carried into the soil. Subsequent sowing and harvesting of purple-leaf amaranth will follow the same pattern. When sowing purple flowering stems and rapeseed hearts in autumn and winter, seeds should be sown before removing the perilla and purple-leaf amaranth. When removing the purple-leaf amaranth, the seeds of the purple flowering stems and rapeseed hearts will be carried into the soil, achieving no-tillage.

[0022] (6) Perilla's aromatic insect-repelling principle: Perilla is rich in perilla aldehyde, which continuously releases to form an aromatic barrier, which can repel common pests such as aphids, spider mites, and fruit borers in orchards, while inhibiting the oviposition and larval growth of pests, thus achieving ecological insect control; Perilla is only sown once in spring and can continue to grow until autumn, playing an insect-repelling and allelopathic weed-suppressing role throughout the entire process. At the same time, the tender tips can be picked for consumption, and with scientific fertilization, multiple harvests can be achieved, thus realizing the dual improvement of ecological function and economic value.

[0023] (7) Principle of multiple reseeding of purple amaranth: Purple amaranth grows rapidly and has a short harvesting cycle. By sowing in the spring and reseeding multiple times in the summer, the surface cover gap after harvesting can be made up to maintain a closed weed-suppressing layer on the ground. At the same time, purple amaranth can be sold as a whole plant. Multiple reseeding ensures the harvest yield. With targeted fertilization, the commercial quality of purple amaranth is improved, so as to achieve a balance between the harvesting and weed-suppressing functions of purple amaranth and economic benefits, and improve the stability, practicality and economy of the intercropping community.

[0024] (8) The principle of time-series connection + no-till cycle: the intercropping plants are seamlessly connected in all four seasons, and there is no bare land throughout the year; no-till reseeding is carried out in the following year, and the orchard is established once and stabilized for many years, which greatly reduces the amount of labor required for orchard management and reduces management costs; the plant residues and the remaining parts after harvest are returned to the field to realize the cycle of soil nutrients, further improve the soil, enhance soil fertility, and feed back into the growth of fruit trees.

[0025] (9) Scientific fertilization + harvesting income increase principle: According to the growth cycle and nutrient requirements of each intercropping crop, appropriate decomposed organic fertilizer is matched, and the fertilization time, method and amount are clearly defined. This not only ensures the growth of intercropping crops and improves the yield and quality of harvesting, but also avoids competing with fruit trees for fertilizer. At the same time, the standardized harvesting and sales of whole plants of perilla tender tips, rapeseed heart flower, purple rapeseed flower, and purple amaranth increase the additional economic benefits of the orchard and achieve a win-win situation of "ecological prevention and control + income increase and wealth creation". The fertilization plan is precisely matched with the harvesting cycle to ensure the continuity and high yield of multiple harvests.

[0026] The beneficial effects of this invention are: (1) Excellent ecological weed and insect control effects: Through year-round rotation and stratified symbiosis of plants such as "Brassica napus heart + purple flowering cabbage + purple amaranth + perilla", a closed shading layer is formed. Combined with the allelopathic weed-suppressing effect of perilla, the inhibition rate of annual and perennial noxious weeds reaches more than 98.5% and 93.0% respectively. The perilla aldehyde released by perilla forms a continuous aromatic barrier, and the reduction rate of major pests such as aphids, spider mites and codling moths reaches more than 88.0%, completely replacing chemical herbicides and some pesticides.

[0027] (2) Completely solve the problem of water and fertilizer competition: By scientifically matching intercropping plants with roots distributed in the top 3-20 cm soil layer, ecological niche separation is formed with fruit trees with roots deep in the bottom 40 cm. Combined with precise fertilization, the water and fertilizer competition between intercropping plants and fruit trees is completely avoided, ensuring the healthy growth of fruit trees.

[0028] (3) Significantly improve economic benefits: The standardized harvesting methods for perilla tender tips, rapeseed hearts, purple rapeseed and purple amaranth have been clarified. Combined with scientific organic fertilization programs, multiple, high-yield and high-quality harvesting of intercropped crops has been achieved. According to the experiment, the annual income per mu can be increased by 2,000-3,000 yuan, and the commercialization rate of intercropped crops is ≥90%.

[0029] (4) Continuous soil improvement and labor-saving cultivation: No tillage throughout the year, all plant residues are returned to the field, and the soil organic matter increases by more than 0.15% annually. Combined with drone technology, all crops can be sown, and the sowing of the next crop can be carried out simultaneously by removing the previous crop, realizing a no-till cycle, greatly reducing labor and management costs.

[0030] (5) Wide ecological adaptability: By adjusting the sowing period, the number of re-sowings and the amount of fertilizer, it can be adapted to orchards in many ecological zones such as subtropical, warm temperate and temperate regions in my country. It is easy to operate and can be promoted on a large scale. Detailed Implementation

[0031] The principles and features of this invention are described below. The examples given are for illustrative purposes only and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention. Where specific techniques or conditions are not specified in the embodiments, they should be performed according to the techniques or conditions described in the literature in this field, or according to the product instructions. Reagents or instruments whose manufacturers are not specified are all conventional products that can be purchased through legitimate channels.

[0032] Example 1. A method for year-round intercropping of vegetables with ecological weed control in orchards.

[0033] This embodiment relates to a method for year-round intercropping of vegetables with ecological weed control in orchards, comprising the following steps: Step 1, Orchard Preparation (Early September, for the first implementation): Clear weeds between rows in the orchard (using manual weeding, without using chemical herbicides), loosen the soil to a depth of 1-2 cm, and level the surface to ensure the soil is loose and well-aerated; spread finely crushed organic fertilizer (base fertilizer, 500 kg per mu, using well-rotted sheep manure, chicken manure, or compost, fully decomposed, with an organic matter content ≥30%), and mix it evenly into the soil to improve soil fertility and lay the foundation for subsequent intercropping planting and growth; divide the tree basin protection zone (centered on the tree trunk, extending 50 cm outwards), and plant subsequent intercropping plants outside the tree basin protection zone between rows to further avoid contact with the fruit tree roots.

[0034] Step 2, Winter Weed Control Community Construction (Early October): Community combination: purple flowering cabbage + brassica heart; Dosage ratio per mu: 0.6 kg of Chinese cabbage heart and 0.6 kg of purple rapeseed; Sowing method: Sow by drone or manually throughout the garden. After sowing, cover with 1-1.5cm of fine soil and gently compact to ensure close contact between the seeds and the soil, thereby improving the germination rate. Fertilization Management: Adopt the method of "base fertilizer + top dressing during the growing season". The base fertilizer is the finely crushed organic fertilizer spread in step 1, which provides continuous slow-release fertilizer. Ten days after sowing, apply 2-3 kg of urea per mu to supplement the nutrients of the seedlings and promote their vigorous growth. Thirty days after sowing, depending on the situation, apply another 2-3 kg of quick-dissolving compound fertilizer to promote rapid seedling growth and lay the foundation for subsequent harvesting of Chinese cabbage. Fertilization should be carried out on cloudy or rainy days to avoid fertilizer volatilization or seedling burn during high-temperature periods. Harvesting method: When the main stem of Brassica napus and purple rapeseed has 2-3 flowers, the main stem can be harvested to promote the germination of lateral stems. Harvesting can be done continuously to increase the yield. Control threshold: In late March to early April of the following year, when the height of the heart of Brassica napus and purple flowering cabbage reaches 60±3cm, remove the residual plants and cover them in designated areas to provide substrate cover for the sowing of purple amaranth and perilla in spring; Plant residue treatment: Plant residue is covered in sections, with fragments near the roots decomposing quickly to provide fertilizer, and whole sections between rows decomposing slowly to suppress weeds. At the same time, it provides substrate coverage for spring sowing of purple amaranth and perilla, helping seeds to germinate.

[0035] Step 3, Spring Intercropping Community Transition (Late March to Early April, during the mid-to-late growth stages of Brassica napus and purple flowering cabbage): Community transition: Before removing the hearts and purple flowering stalks of Brassica napus, mix the seeds of purple amaranth and perilla evenly and sow them to achieve a seamless transition between the winter and spring communities; perilla is only sown once in spring and will not be resown afterward, and can continue to grow until autumn, playing a role in pest control and providing for harvesting throughout the entire process; Application ratio per mu: 0.4-0.6 kg / mu for purple amaranth and 0.3-0.6 kg / mu for perilla. Mix the two evenly and broadcast them. There is no need to sow them separately. Sowing method: manual and even broadcasting, or broadcasting by drone. After sowing, pull up the heart of the rapeseed and the purple flowering stalk, and put the seeds of purple amaranth and perilla into the soil to ensure that the seeds are in contact with the soil. Moisture control: By providing appropriate shade to the heart of the rapeseed and the upper layer of the purple rapeseed, moisture is retained and the temperature is lowered, avoiding the hot and dry winds in late spring from burning the buds. No additional watering or covering is required. Relying on the natural microenvironment, the germination rate of purple amaranth and perilla is improved. Fertilization Management: Base fertilizer is supplied by the decomposition of rapeseed hearts and purple cabbage stem residues, so no additional base fertilizer is required; after the first batch of purple amaranth is harvested, apply 30 kg of well-rotted organic fertilizer (well-rotted sheep manure or compost, long-acting fertilizer) per mu, evenly spread between rows to promote the rapid growth of purple amaranth and perilla, ensuring the yield and quality of subsequent harvests; if the soil is dry after fertilization, a small amount of water can be applied to promote fertilizer dissolution and absorption; Harvesting methods: When perilla grows to 25-35cm and the tender tips are plump and not old, harvest the tender tips for consumption. Each time you harvest, retain 3-4 nodes at the base to promote the growth of lateral branches. You can harvest continuously until autumn to achieve multiple harvests and increase income. When purple amaranth grows to 20-25cm and the plants are healthy and free from pests and diseases, pull up the whole plant for sale to ensure that the roots are intact and to increase the commercial value. After harvesting, clean up the plant residues in the field in time to avoid the rotting of the residues and the resulting pests and diseases. Emergence and growth: Purple amaranth emerges in 5-7 days and emerges uniformly in 10 days; Purple amaranth grows rapidly and can reach the harvest standard in 25-30 days. Perilla begins to grow alongside it and begins to release aromatic substances, playing a role in insect control, allelopathic and weed suppression.

[0036] Step 4, Summer weed and insect control community construction (April-August): Community combination: The dominant community in summer is purple amaranth (re-sown multiple times) + perilla. Perilla continuously releases aromatic substances, achieving the dual effects of insect prevention and weed control. Purple amaranth maintains ground cover through multiple re-sown times, taking into account both harvesting and weed suppression. At the same time, it achieves continuous income increase through standardized harvesting and precise fertilization. Purple Amaranth Reseeding Plan: Immediately after the first harvest (mid-to-late April), conduct the first reseeding, with a reseeding rate of 0.3-0.5 kg per mu; after each subsequent harvest, reseed once every 20-25 days, with a reseeding rate of 0.3-0.5 kg per mu each time, until reseeding is stopped in mid-to-late August; the reseeding method is the same as spring broadcasting, relying on the shade of perilla to retain moisture, and no additional watering is required; Fertilization Management: Adopt the method of "topdressing after reseeding + periodic fertilization" to meet the needs of multiple reseeding and harvesting of purple amaranth. Between each reseeding (during the vigorous growth period of purple amaranth), apply 15 kg of decomposed cake fertilizer per mu to supplement the nutrients required for the growth of purple amaranth, avoid excessive depletion of soil nutrients, ensure that purple amaranth grows vigorously and has thick leaves, and improve the market quality. Perilla does not require separate fertilization. It can grow normally by relying on the fertilization of purple amaranth and the nutrients in the soil residue, ensuring continuous harvesting of tender tips. Harvesting and Management: When purple amaranth grows to 20-25cm, remove the entire plant for sale. Continue to harvest the tender tips of perilla. After each harvest, promptly remove residual leaves to promote the growth of lateral branches. No mowing or tilling is required throughout the process. Through multiple reseedings of purple amaranth and co-planting with perilla, a double-layered three-dimensional cover community of "purple amaranth (dynamic cover) + perilla" is formed, which continuously enhances the weed and insect control effect and prevents weeds from sprouting after harvest. Precautions: After harvesting purple amaranth, promptly remove any remaining plants from the field to prevent rotting and subsequent pests and diseases; avoid harvesting perilla on rainy days to ensure the tender tips are fresh and free of standing water, thus improving product quality; if the soil is dry after fertilization, water sparingly to promote fertilizer absorption.

[0037] Step 5, Autumn intercropping community transition (early to mid-September, during the high-temperature and drought transition period): Community adjustment: Stop reseeding purple amaranth in mid-to-late August. In early to mid-September, manually remove the remaining purple amaranth plants in the field, preserving the complete perilla community (perilla plants are of moderate size, do not block light, and can continue to grow until they wither naturally in early winter. During this period, tender tips can continue to be harvested. The seeds on the withered plants fall into the soil and can germinate on their own the following spring. This cycle continues, and there is no need to sow perilla seeds thereafter). Mixed sowing of Brassica napus heart and purple amaranth: Before the last batch of purple amaranth is pulled up, mix the Brassica napus heart and purple amaranth in a 1:1 ratio and sow evenly at a rate of 1.2 kg / mu. Then pull up the purple amaranth and bring the Brassica napus heart and purple amaranth seeds into the soil. Microenvironment management: Relying on the wind protection, moisture retention, mitigation of high surface temperature, and prevention of topsoil compaction of perilla, the problem of high temperature, dry soil, and strong sunlight exposure in autumn is solved. No additional watering is required. Relying on natural rainfall and vegetation moisture retention, the germination and growth of rapeseed hearts and purple rapeseed are guaranteed. Fertilizer management: Base fertilizer is supplied by the decomposition of perilla residue and purple amaranth residue; when the heart of the rapeseed reaches 10cm (early stage of flowering scape differentiation), apply 25kg of decomposed organic fertilizer (decomposed compost or cake fertilizer, a combination of long-term and fast-acting) per mu, spreading it between rows to promote flowering scape growth, improve the quality and yield of flowering scape, and prevent the flowering scape from being thin and having an old taste; Harvesting methods: When the hearts and purple flowering stalks of Brassica napus reach 25-30cm in length, are robust, free from pests and diseases, and are bright green in color, harvest the main flowering stalks for consumption. When harvesting, keep the basal leaves intact to promote the sprouting of lateral stalks. Lateral stalks and tertiary stalks can be harvested continuously to increase the harvest yield. For perilla, continue to harvest the tender tips until they wither naturally, and the harvesting standards are the same as in spring. Emergence and growth: Brassica napus hearts germinate in 5-7 days and emerge uniformly in 10-15 days, while purple rapeseed flowers emerge 3-5 days later. During the seedling stage, both Brassica napus hearts and purple rapeseed flowers rely on the allelopathic effect of perilla to suppress soil-borne diseases and small pests, resulting in vigorous growth. Perilla naturally withers in early November, and its residue covers the ground surface, decomposing and replenishing soil nutrients.

[0038] Step 6, Winter Weed Control Community Maintenance (October – March of the following year): Community composition: The dominant community in winter was Brassica napus heart + purple flowering stalk + perilla residue; Control measures: Brassica napus and purple flowering cabbage are cold-resistant and grow slowly in autumn and winter, densely covering the ground between rows; perilla residue covers the ground surface, further enhancing the weed suppression effect, while decomposing and replenishing soil nutrients; Fertilizer management: In mid-November (mid-growth stage of Brassica napus and purple flowering cabbage), apply 40 kg of well-rotted organic fertilizer per mu (0.067 hectares) and spread it evenly to enhance the cold resistance of Brassica napus and purple flowering cabbage and ensure slow growth in winter. If the winter temperature is too low (below 5℃), the amount of fertilizer can be reduced to 25 kg / mu to avoid fertilizer waste. Harvesting method: The hearts of Brassica napus and purple rapeseed can be harvested until February of the following year. When the rapeseed stalks become too thin after multiple harvests, harvesting should be stopped, and the lateral stalks will elongate to form flower stalks. Nutrient cycling: During the growth period of rapeseed hearts and purple flowering stalks, as well as after the residues of perilla are returned to the field, they are decomposed by microorganisms and transformed into organic fertilizer, which replenishes soil nutrients, improves soil structure, and nourishes the growth of fruit trees and intercropped plants in the following year. Full-process control: No chemical herbicides are used throughout the year, and all fertilizers are well-rotted organic fertilizers or urea to ensure the green safety of harvested vegetables and meet the standards for green agricultural products. All fertilization follows the principle of "light and frequent application of fertilizers, precise matching" to avoid soil compaction caused by excessive fertilizer or competition for fertilizer with fruit trees.

[0039] 2. Experimental results.

[0040] This invention underwent in-situ testing over four years from 2022 to 2025, covering five different types of orchards including citrus, persimmon, vineyard, and peach orchards. The testing was conducted at three levels: Group T: This invention, year-round intercropping combination + fertilization + harvesting; CK1: Chemical weeding group; CK2: Conventional grass cover group, manual mowing + no fertilization + no harvesting. Each group was replicated three times, and the data were statistically significant. Specific experimental results and comparisons with the control group are shown in Table 1 below. Table 1 The experimental results in Table 1 show that the annual weed suppression rate of this invention is ≥98.5%, the suppression rate of perennial weeds is ≥93.0%, and it completely avoids the competition for water and fertilizer between intercropped plants and fruit trees; the average income per mu from intercropping and harvesting is more than 2,000-3,000 yuan, and the commercial rate of intercropped crops is ≥90%; compared with the chemical control group, there is no pesticide residue pollution, the soil organic matter is increased by 4 times, and the fruit trees grow more vigorously; the scientific fertilization plan ensures the yield and quality of intercropped crops, the harvesting methods of various crops are clear, and with the multiple re-sowing of purple amaranth, the problem of bare ground and weed germination after the harvest of fast-growing crops is effectively solved, further improving the long-term effectiveness of weed suppression, achieving a win-win situation of ecological control and economic income increase, with outstanding technical advantages and practicality, and can achieve the integrated goals of weed suppression, insect control, soil improvement, labor saving, fruit tree quality improvement and harvesting income increase, and is suitable for large-scale promotion in orchards in multiple ecological zones across the country. This invention completely solves the problem of water and fertilizer competition between intercropping plants and fruit trees by optimizing the stratification of intercropping plant roots, scientific fertilization, and timing. It simplifies the operation process, reduces implementation costs, and is more conducive to large-scale promotion.

[0041] In summary, this invention addresses industry pain points such as incomplete weed control, difficulty in controlling perennial weeds, competition for fertilizer between intercropped plants and fruit trees, limited effectiveness of single-crop pest control, pollution from chemical herbicides, gaps in coverage by fast-growing crops, and low economic value of intercropping by combining a multi-layered, sequential crop rotation of rapeseed hearts, purple flowering scapes, purple amaranth, and perilla leaves with year-round rotation, multi-plant synergistic growth, perilla's aromatic insect control, multiple reseeding of purple amaranth leaves, year-round no-till cycle, increased harvesting income, and scientific fertilization. This integrated ecological technology solution also achieves year-round herbicide-free orchards, simultaneously addressing multiple objectives including weed control, insect control, soil improvement, labor saving, fruit tree quality enhancement, and increased harvesting income. Furthermore, it clearly defines fertilization management and harvesting methods to ensure the yield and quality of intercropped crops.

[0042] Although embodiments of the present invention have been shown and described above, it is understood that the above embodiments are exemplary and should not be construed as limiting the present invention. Those skilled in the art can make changes, modifications, substitutions and variations to the above embodiments within the scope of the present invention.

Claims

1. A method for year-round intercropping of vegetables with ecological weed control in orchards, characterized in that, Includes the following steps: (1) Winter weed control community construction: In early October, sow the seeds of Brassica napus and Brassica oleracea and apply topdressing fertilizer. Harvest the Brassica napus and Brassica oleracea after they mature. (2) Spring intercropping community connection: From late March to early April, before removing the heart of the Brassica napus and the purple flowering stalk, mix the seeds of purple amaranth with the seeds of perilla and sow them. Then remove the heart of the Brassica napus and the purple flowering stalk. After the perilla and the purple amaranth mature, harvest them separately or harvest the whole plant. The perilla is only sown once in spring. (3) Construction of summer weed and insect control community: From April to August, the purple amaranth is re-sown multiple times after the first harvest, and topdressing is carried out during the re-sowing period. The perilla is continuously harvested, and no cutting or plowing is required throughout the process. (4) Autumn intercropping community connection: In early to mid-September, remove the remaining purple amaranth, retain the perilla, mix and sow the seeds of rapeseed heart and purple rapeseed between the rows of perilla, and apply topdressing. Harvest the rapeseed after it matures. Continue to harvest the perilla until it flowers and bears seeds, and finally wither and the seeds mature and fall into the soil. (5) Winter weed control community maintenance: From October to March of the following year, the rapeseed heart and the purple rapeseed continue to grow and are fertilized for overwintering. Harvesting is stopped when the diameter of the lateral shoots of the rapeseed heart and the purple rapeseed is less than 0.2 cm. The perilla residue covers the ground and is naturally returned to the field.

2. The method for year-round intercropping of vegetables with ecological weed control in orchards according to claim 1, characterized in that, In step (1), the seed usage of the Brassica napus type is 0.4-0.8 kg per mu, and the seed usage of the purple rapeseed is 0.4-0.8 kg per mu; after sowing, apply 2-3 kg of urea per mu; Harvest the purple kale when the main stem has 2-3 flowers open, while retaining the basal leaves.

3. The method for year-round intercropping of vegetables with ecological weed control in orchards according to claim 1, characterized in that, In step (2), the amount of purple amaranth seeds used per mu is 0.4-0.6 kg, and the amount of perilla seeds used per mu is 0.3-0.6 kg; when the perilla grows to 20-25 cm, the tender tips are picked, and 3-4 nodes at the base are retained; when the purple amaranth grows to 15-20 cm, the whole plant is pulled up.

4. A method for year-round intercropping of vegetables with ecological weed control in orchards according to claim 3, characterized in that, In step (3), the purple amaranth is resown immediately after the first harvest at a rate of 0.2-0.4 kg / mu. After each subsequent harvest, it is resown once every 20-25 days, with each resowing of purple amaranth at a rate of 0.2-0.3 kg / mu. Resowing is stopped in mid-to-late August. Between each resowing, 10-20 kg of well-rotted cake fertilizer is applied per mu.

5. A method for year-round intercropping of vegetables with ecological weed control in orchards according to claim 4, characterized in that, In step (4), the seeds of the Brassica napus and the purple rapeseed are mixed in a 1:1 ratio, with a sowing amount of 1-1.4 kg per mu; after the Brassica napus seedlings emerge, apply 2-3 kg of urea per mu, and when the plant height is 8-12 cm, apply 20-30 kg of decomposed organic fertilizer per mu.

6. A method for year-round intercropping of vegetables with ecological weed control in orchards according to claim 5, characterized in that, In step (5), apply 25-40 kg of well-rotted organic fertilizer per mu in mid-November.

7. A method for year-round intercropping of vegetables with ecological weed control in orchards according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that, The roots of the Brassica napus heart and the purple cabbage are distributed in the 5-15 cm soil layer, the roots of the purple amaranth are distributed in the 3-10 cm soil layer, and the roots of the perilla are distributed in the 10-20 cm soil layer. The perilla mentioned is a double-sided perilla variety or a bicolor perilla variety.

8. A method for year-round intercropping of vegetables with ecological weed control in orchards according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that, It also includes the following steps: In the early stages of orchard preparation, weeds between rows are cleared, the soil is loosened slightly, the ground is leveled, well-rotted organic fertilizer is applied as base fertilizer, and protective zones are marked around the tree basins.

9. A method for year-round intercropping of vegetables with ecological weed control in orchards according to claim 8, characterized in that, The depth of the shallow loosening of the soil is 1-2 cm, and the amount of well-rotted organic fertilizer used as base fertilizer is 400-600 kg per mu, with an organic matter content of ≥30%.

10. A method for year-round intercropping of vegetables with ecological weed control in orchards according to claim 8, characterized in that, The orchard includes at least one of the following: citrus orchard, persimmon orchard, vineyard, peach orchard, pear orchard, and plum orchard.

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