A color-inducing solution and method for color change in the heartwood of *Cephalotaxus fortunei* (Chenshan Red Cedar)
By injecting ethephon-inducing solution into the trunks of Chenshan red cedar trees, the problem of slow heartwood discoloration was solved, and the proportion and color of red heartwood were improved. This method is suitable for low-cost operation by red cedar growers.
Patent Information
- Application Number
- CN202311199069.7
- Authority / Receiving Office
- CN · China
- Patent Type
- Patents(China)
- Current Assignee / Owner
- Filing Date
- 2023-09-18
- Publication Date
- 2025-11-14
- Estimated Expiration
- 2043-09-18
AI Technical Summary
In existing technologies, the heartwood of Chenshan red fir undergoes a slow color change process, resulting in a supply shortage in the market and a lack of effective artificial induction methods.
Ethephon, as the main active ingredient, was used as an induction solution. It was injected into the trunk of Chenshan red fir trees via infusion to promote changes in parenchyma cells and heartwood discoloration. The specific operation included drilling holes, injecting ethephon solution and controlling the concentration and flow rate, and using it in conjunction with plant nutrient solution.
It shortens the time for the heartwood of red cedar to change color, improves the proportion of red heartwood and color effect, is low in cost and simple to operate, and is suitable for widespread promotion by red cedar growers.
Smart Images
Figure CN117256619B_ABST
Abstract
Description
Technical Field
[0001] This invention belongs to the field of Chenshan red fir planting technology, specifically relating to an inducing solution and method for inducing discoloration of the heartwood of Chenshan red fir. Background Technology
[0002] Chenshan Red-heart Chinese Fir is a superior fir variety with local Jiangxi characteristics, selected through national fir seed source trials. It is renowned throughout China and is considered the finest in Southeast China. Named for its predominantly glossy chestnut-brown heartwood, it boasts a round, straight appearance, beautiful grain, unique color, and a consistently red heartwood. The wood is hard, strong, resistant to warping and cracking, fragrant, tough, and rot-resistant, making it an extremely valuable natural material for crafts, construction, and interior decoration. For many years, the price of traditional fir timber has remained stagnant, while market demand for precious tree species continues to increase. Improving the quality of fir timber is currently a key aspect of the fir timber industry's development. The heartwood and sapwood of Red-heart Chinese Fir are clearly distinguishable, with the heartwood being the primary value. The color and proportion of red heartwood determine the price of the timber. Because the natural formation of red heartwood in Red-heart Chinese Fir is slow and market demand exceeds supply, artificial methods to accelerate its formation are crucial. However, currently, there are no technologies to artificially induce heartwood color change in Red-heart Chinese Fir. Summary of the Invention
[0003] To address the shortcomings and challenges of existing technologies, this invention aims to provide an inducing liquid and method for inducing color change in the heartwood of Chenshan red fir. This invention provides a method for inducing color change in the heartwood of Chenshan red fir using ethephon. This method is simple in process, low in production cost, easy to promote and apply, and solves the problem of long growth cycle of red fir.
[0004] This invention is achieved through the following technical solution:
[0005] The first aspect of this invention provides an inducing solution for heartwood discoloration in Chenshan red cedar, the main active ingredient of which is ethephon. When the inducing solution prepared using ethephon is applied to the Chenshan red cedar tree, it gradually decomposes within the tree, releasing ethylene. Ethylene can regulate tree senescence, causing changes in parenchyma cells. Before death, the parenchyma cells enhance their physiological functions, converting stored substances such as starch and sugars into large amounts of tyloses, thus promoting heartwood discoloration.
[0006] The inducing solution can be used alone or in combination with plant nutrient solution or preparations. The plant nutrient solution or preparations may be any plant growth agents permitted in this field.
[0007] Furthermore, the concentration of ethephon in the induction solution is 0.2% to 2.0%.
[0008] The second aspect of this invention provides a method for inducing discoloration in the heartwood of Chenshan red fir. 0.1–3 g of ethephon is weighed and prepared into an induction solution with a concentration of 0.2–2.0% and a dosage of 50–150 mL. Five to ten-year-old red fir trees are selected, and holes are drilled at an angle on both sides of the trunk at a distance of 100 cm to 150 cm from the ground. The induction solution is injected into the holes using an infusion method, and then the holes are sealed.
[0009] Furthermore, the hole diameter is 4±1mm, the depth is 1 / 3 of the trunk diameter of the Chenshan red cedar, and the drilling angle is 45±5°. The hole should not be too large to avoid evaporation of the inducing solution and reduce damage to the tree. The drilling depth ensures that the inducing solution reaches the xylem of the trunk and is transported to all parts of the tree through transpiration, promoting a wider range of discoloration in the heartwood.
[0010] Furthermore, the induction solution is injected on a sunny day between May and October; more preferably on a sunny day between July and September.
[0011] Furthermore, a second induction solution is administered, with the second administration timed 1-3 months after the first infusion, and the injection site being 10±2cm above the first injection site.
[0012] Furthermore, the injection rate of the induction solution should be 1 drop / 2-3 seconds to avoid excessive flow rate causing overflow. The preferred infusion method is a disposable bag-type infusion set with a No. 7 needle; the preferred sealing method is to leave the infusion needle inside the tree trunk.
[0013] Furthermore, the concentration of ethephon in the induction solution is 1.5%; the volume of the induction solution is 150 mL per infusion.
[0014] Compared with the prior art, the beneficial effects of the present invention include:
[0015] 1. This invention discovers a new use for ethephon, namely, as an inducing liquid to induce discoloration in the heartwood of Chenshan red fir.
[0016] 2. This invention uses an infusion method to inject an induction solution, utilizing ethephon to induce a higher proportion of red heartwood, thus shortening the color change time of Chenshan red cedar heartwood. Furthermore, this invention is low-cost, easy to operate, and highly practical, making it suitable for a wide range of red cedar growers to artificially promote the color change of red cedar heartwood. Attached Figure Description
[0017] Figure 1 These are color-changing effect diagrams of Embodiment 1 and Comparative Example 1 of the present invention;
[0018] Figure 2 These are color-changing effect diagrams of Embodiment 2 and Comparative Example 2 of the present invention. Detailed Implementation
[0019] The present invention will be further described below with reference to the accompanying drawings.
[0020] Example 1
[0021] 1. Ethephon-induced treatment
[0022] One day in advance, prepare a 1.0% ethephon solution (150 mL) and fill it into a 250 mL disposable bag infusion set. On a sunny day in June, select a 10-year-old Chenshan redwood cedar with an average diameter at breast height (DBH) of 12.72 cm. Using a 4 mm drill bit, drill holes on both sides of the trunk at a distance of 1.3 m from the ground, at a 45° angle, to a depth of 4 cm. Insert the infusion needle into the drilled hole and adjust the induction solution flow rate to 1 drop / 2 seconds. In September, inject a second dose 10 cm above the first injection hole. At 12 months of treatment, use a growth cone with an inner diameter of 0.5 cm to drill a core sample of the redwood trunk 5 cm above the injection hole. The discoloration effect is shown in the image. Figure 1 As shown in the left figure.
[0023] 2. Comparison Methods
[0024] Using Chenshan red cedar trees of the same age and similar size, holes were drilled at the same location and depth. No inducing agent was injected. The color change effect is shown in the image below. Figure 1 As shown in the right figure.
[0025] 3. Testing and Inspection
[0026] The red heartwood of Chenshan red fir obtained through this embodiment and comparative example was measured for its red heart proportion and color. The results are shown in Table 1.
[0027] The specific method for determining the red heartwood ratio is as follows: Using a growth cone with an inner diameter of 0.5 cm, drill a core of the red cedar trunk 5 cm above the injection hole. After the core is air-dried, measure the core length and the length of the red heartwood. Red heartwood refers to the heartwood that is reddish-brown in color from the pith outwards. The red heartwood ratio is the percentage of the length of the red heartwood in the entire core.
[0028] The specific method for color determination is as follows: Each core piece of wood is divided into 5 equal sections, one for sapwood and one for heartwood. The color of the cross-section is measured using an NH310 colorimeter, and the average of the 5 measurements is taken as the core value. The light source is set to D65, and the measurement aperture is set to 4mm. Three color indices are selected for measurement in the L*a*b* color space: lightness (L*), redness (a*), and yellowness (b*). L* indicates the brightness of the color; a large L* value indicates a bright and vibrant color, while a small L* value indicates a dull and muddy color. a* represents the metric (red-green axis) colorimetric index; a larger a* value indicates a more reddish color, and a smaller a* value indicates a more greenish color. b* represents the metric (yellow-blue axis) colorimetric index; a larger b* value indicates a more yellowish color, and a smaller b* value indicates a more bluish color.
[0029] Table 1. Heartwood discoloration detection in Example 1 and Comparative Example 1
[0030] Red heart percentage % L* a* b* Example 1 50.15 79.46 8.71 12.45 Comparative Example 1 39.33 83.32 6.49 11.79
[0031] Combination Figure 1 As shown in Table 1, the injection of ethephon-induced solution resulted in a higher proportion of red heart and a redder color in the Chenshan red cedar compared to the uninjected variety.
[0032] Example 2
[0033] 1. Ethephon-induced treatment
[0034] One day in advance, prepare a 1.5% ethephon solution (150 mL) and fill it into a 250 mL disposable bag infusion set. On a sunny day in July, select a 6-year-old Chenshan redwood cedar with an average diameter at breast height (DBH) of 8.84 cm. Using a 4 mm drill bit, drill holes on both sides of the trunk at a distance of 1.3 m from the ground, at a 45° angle, to a depth of 4 cm. Insert the infusion needle into the drilled hole and adjust the induction solution flow rate to 1 drop / 2 seconds. In August, inject a second dose 10 cm above the first injection hole. At 15 months, use a growth cone with an inner diameter of 0.5 cm to drill a core sample of the redwood trunk 5 cm above the injection hole. The discoloration effect is shown in the image. Figure 2 As shown in the left figure.
[0035] 2. Comparison Methods
[0036] Using Chenshan red cedar trees of the same age and similar size, holes were drilled at the same location and depth. No inducing agent was injected. The color change effect is shown in the image below. Figure 2 As shown in the right figure.
[0037] 3. Testing and Inspection
[0038] For the redwood treated by the above two methods, the proportion of red heart and color were measured. The measurement method was the same as in Example 1, as shown in Table 2.
[0039] Table 2. Heartwood discoloration detection in Example 2 and Comparative Example 2
[0040] Red heart percentage % L* a* b* Example 2 66.44 80.74 9.13 15.91 Comparative Example 2 40.01 83.76 6.14 12.23
[0041] Combination Figure 2 As shown in Table 2, the injected ethephon-inducing solution resulted in a higher proportion of red heart and a redder color in the Chenshan red cedar compared to the uninjected variety. Combining Examples 1 and 2, it can be seen that 1.5% ethephon is more effective than 1.0% ethephon.
[0042] The above description merely illustrates preferred embodiments of the present invention, and while the description is relatively specific and detailed, it should not be construed as limiting the scope of the present invention. It should be noted that those skilled in the art can make various modifications, improvements, and substitutions without departing from the concept of the present invention, and these all fall within the protection scope of the present invention. Therefore, the protection scope of this patent should be determined by the appended claims.
Claims
1. A method for inducing discoloration in the heartwood of *Cephalotaxus fortunei*, characterized in that, The method uses an inducing solution with ethephon as the active ingredient to induce discoloration of the heartwood of Chenshan red fir. Specifically, Chenshan red fir trees aged 5 to 10 years are selected, and holes are drilled at an angle at a distance of 100cm to 150cm from the ground. The inducing solution is injected into the holes using an infusion method, and then the holes are sealed. The hole has a diameter of 4±1mm, a depth of 1 / 3 of the diameter of the trunk of the Chenshan red cedar, and an inclination angle of 45±5°. The induction solution is injected on a sunny day between May and October. The induction solution was administered once more. The timing of the subsequent administration was 1-3 months after the first infusion, and the injection site was 10±2cm above the hole from the first injection. The induction solution is injected at a rate of 1 drop / 2~3 seconds; the sealing treatment involves leaving the infusion needle inside the tree trunk; The concentration of ethephon in the induction solution is 1.0%~1.5%, and the volume of the induction solution is 50-150mL each time an infusion is administered.
2. The method for inducing discoloration of the heartwood of *Cephalotaxus fortunei* according to claim 1, characterized in that: The concentration of ethephon in the induction solution is 1.5%, and the volume of the induction solution is 150 mL each time it is infused.