A method for retaining branches in high-altitude Sichuan pepper cultivation and its application

Abstract

This invention provides a method for retaining branches in high-altitude Sichuan pepper cultivation and its application, belonging to the field of plant cultivation technology. The method is applied to mature mother trees at altitudes of 900-1200 meters. The process involves medium pruning in the first year, lateral branch rotation in the second year, and medium pruning back in the third year, repeating this cycle. Medium pruning is carried out from June 20th to June 30th, retaining primary branches with a length of 1.0-1.2 meters. Lateral branch rotation is carried out from July 10th to July 25th, with the distance between the lateral branch cut and the branching point being 2-5 centimeters. In addition, the method includes retaining 20-30 centimeters of understory herbs, retaining inner branches, two rounds of thinning, and timely harvesting. The tree shape created by this invention fully utilizes ecological factors such as light, temperature, water, and air, facilitating the multi-purpose use of Sichuan pepper, avoiding alternate bearing caused by human factors, overcoming the difficulty of adapting single pruning techniques to high altitudes, and improving the yield and quality of Sichuan pepper.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention belongs to the field of plant cultivation technology, and in particular relates to a method for retaining branches in high-altitude cultivation of Sichuan pepper and its application. Background Technology

[0002] In our long-term practice of Sichuan pepper cultivation, we have concluded that water and fertilizer management, pruning, and pest and disease control are the three key foundational measures for its cultivation. These three techniques are closely related and deeply coupled, synergistically promoting each other in practical application and effectiveness. Among them, pruning plays a crucial role in improving the utilization efficiency of soil nutrients and other ecological factors, as well as the convenience and effectiveness of pest and disease control. Therefore, the method of retaining branches has always been a focus of attention for growers of different Sichuan pepper varieties. Currently, existing technologies mainly suffer from the following problems, affecting tree growth, nutrient accumulation, and quality improvement:

[0003] Problems with heavy pruning techniques in high-altitude areas: First, after pruning a large number of branches each year, the sprouting, growth, and lignification of new branches require sufficient accumulated temperature and nutrients, which are difficult to meet at high altitudes, especially the accumulated temperature requirement. Currently, there are no simple and easy-to-implement artificial control measures. Second, after heavy pruning, sufficient water and fertilizer are needed to promote growth, while plant growth regulators are used to promote lignification. The simultaneous promotion and inhibition of growth creates a conflict between vegetative and reproductive growth, making it difficult to coordinate and potentially leading to low yields and increased input costs. In previous practices, some growers have experienced significant yield reductions in their pepper orchards due to a failure to coordinate growth and reproduction. Third, to meet the effective accumulated temperature requirement for branch growth, early harvesting and pruning are necessary, which reduces the quality of the pepper, particularly affecting core biochemical traits such as aroma and numbing sensation. This limits the versatility and multifunctionality of the pepper fruit, making it less competitive in the market. The key issue is that the effective accumulated temperature in high-altitude areas is relatively low, which will inevitably affect the application of this technology and may even cause irreparable losses such as reduced production or complete crop failure.

[0004] The problems that can easily arise from simply rotating lateral branches are as follows: First, the canopy will become increasingly larger, leading to overcrowding. The original planting density will be insufficient to meet the needs of the larger canopy, thus affecting the yield and quality of Sichuan pepper. Second, under long-term rotation, some new shoots that sprout in the current year are spatially disordered, failing to properly shape the tree and resulting in spatial chaos, wasting space or causing overcrowding. Third, the later harvesting time of Sichuan pepper after lateral branch rotation, while beneficial for the accumulation of secondary metabolites, easily overlaps with the peak period of pest and disease outbreaks, putting greater pressure on pest and disease control. Fourth, the unlimited gradation of branches leads to a greater terminal attenuation effect in nutrient and water transport, significantly reducing the hydraulic safety factor and easily causing a large amount of waste or even tree death. Therefore, the technical parameters of simple lateral branch rotation need continuous optimization.

[0005] Furthermore, excessive weeding under the trees is currently prevalent in Sichuan pepper cultivation, which also affects the method of branch retention. These practices lead to several problems: First, in karst mountainous areas, the soil is fragmented, shallow, and steep. Due to cost constraints, there is a heavy reliance on herbicides, causing irreversible damage to the ecosystem and becoming a major cause of soil degradation. Second, manual weeding requires a large workforce, increasing production costs, and the weeding speed cannot keep up with the rate of grass establishment, making it difficult for most pepper farmers and companies to afford. Third, while current attention focuses on nutrient competition and ecological disturbance between the herbaceous layer and the pepper trees, the functions of the herbaceous layer in pest and disease control, soil and water conservation, microhabitat improvement, and habitat provision have not received sufficient attention, and there is limited understanding of the interactions between different herbaceous layers and ecosystem functions. Therefore, fully utilizing the role of the herbaceous layer will also influence the choice of branch retention methods to achieve ecological planting. Summary of the Invention

[0006] To address the aforementioned technical problems, this invention provides a method for retaining branches in high-altitude Sichuan pepper cultivation and its application. The method is applied to mature mother trees at altitudes of 900-1200 meters. The process involves medium pruning in the first year, lateral branch rotation in the second year, and medium pruning back in the third year, repeating this cycle. Medium pruning is performed from June 20th to June 30th, retaining primary branches with a length of 1.0-1.2 meters. Lateral branch rotation is performed from July 10th to July 25th, with the distance between the lateral branch cut and the branching point being 2-5 centimeters. Furthermore, the method includes retaining 20-30 centimeters of understory herbs, retaining inner branches, two rounds of thinning, and timely harvesting. The tree shape created by this invention fully utilizes ecological factors such as light, temperature, water, and air, enabling the Sichuan pepper to be used for multiple purposes. It avoids alternate bearing caused by human factors, overcomes the difficulty of adapting single pruning techniques to high altitudes, and improves both the yield and quality of Sichuan pepper.

[0007] To achieve the above objectives, the present invention adopts the following technical solution:

[0008] This invention provides a method for retaining branches in high-altitude Sichuan pepper cultivation. The method is applied to mature mother trees and specifically involves: medium pruning in the first year, lateral branch rotation in the second year, and medium pruning back in the third year, repeated in a cycle. The medium pruning is carried out from June 20th to June 30th of the current year, and the lateral branch rotation is carried out from July 10th to July 25th of the current year. Medium pruning refers to retaining only primary branches and removing all other branches. After medium pruning, the length of the primary branches is 1.0-1.2 meters. Lateral branch rotation refers to removing fruit-bearing branches and retaining newly sprouted tender branches for cultivation as fruit-bearing branches for the following year. During lateral branch rotation, the distance between the pruning cut and the branch is 2-5 centimeters.

[0009] Preferably, the high altitude refers to the altitude range of 900-1200 meters.

[0010] Preferably, the angle between the primary branches after the intermediate pruning and the ground is 20-30°, with the goal of cultivating an open-center tree shape.

[0011] The mid-pruning technique in this invention is beneficial for determining the tree shape.

[0012] Preferably, during the lateral branch rotation, spring shoots are retained as main branches, while summer and autumn shoots are retained as fruit-bearing branches.

[0013] In a further preferred embodiment, when rotating lateral branches, spring shoots are retained as main branches, and autumn shoots are retained as fruit-bearing branches.

[0014] Preferably, after the middle pruning and the rotation of the lateral branches, 20-30 cm of understory herbaceous plants are retained.

[0015] In this invention, retaining 20-30 cm of understory herbaceous plants can provide new host plants for pests and diseases, thereby preventing pests such as rust and aphids.

[0016] Preferably, the branch retention method further includes the step of retaining inner branches, wherein the number of retained inner branches is 8-10, and the length is 30-50 cm.

[0017] Preferably, after the branches are cultivated and shaped using the aforementioned branch retention method, the east-west and north-south crown widths are both 1.8-2.0 meters, the total number of fruit-bearing branches is 60-80, and the length of the fruit-bearing branches is 40-60 centimeters.

[0018] Preferably, the branch retention method further includes two branch thinning steps, which are carried out in August-September and December, respectively.

[0019] In this invention, two thinning processes can remove weak branches, redundant branches, drooping branches, and diseased branches, ensuring that the branches are not crowded in space.

[0020] Preferably, when using the aforementioned branch retention method, the peppers are harvested in mid-to-late July when the oil cells of the fruit bulge and protrude, and the fruit skin has crescent grooves. After the harvest of the year is completed, the aforementioned branch retention method is used to continue shaping the tree, thereby achieving full-cycle management of the pepper orchard.

[0021] The aforementioned branch retention method should not be used in windward areas to avoid frost damage to the leaves during low-temperature freezing weather; otherwise, new leaves are prone to withering and loss of photosynthetic organs.

[0022] The present invention also provides an application of the aforementioned branch retention method in the cultivation of Sichuan pepper in Dingtan.

[0023] Compared with the prior art, the present invention has the following technical effects:

[0024] First, the tree shape created makes full use of ecological factors such as light, temperature, water, and air. The tree shape created using this technology avoids both excessive vegetative growth that hinders yield and overcrowding that prevents full utilization of resources, thus effectively coordinating the relationship between primary and secondary growth. Therefore, the created tree shape makes more efficient use of light, temperature, accumulated temperature, water, and air, laying the foundation for nutrient accumulation—all crucial prerequisites for high, stable, and high-quality yields.

[0025] Secondly, this technology enables the multi-purpose use of Sichuan pepper and avoids the alternating succession of pepper years caused by human factors. The Sichuan pepper fruits obtained through this technology can be used to cultivate fresh peppers, dried peppers, and seed peppers, and can also be further used in medical, health, and cosmetic fields. This overcomes the drawbacks of traditional heavy pruning techniques, which primarily produce low-quality fresh peppers, thus expanding the uses and functions of Sichuan pepper and facilitating the implementation of targeted cultivation techniques. This technology also ensures that the yield of Sichuan pepper is maintained at a stable level, avoiding alternating succession of pepper years caused by human factors.

[0026] Thirdly, it overcomes the problem that single pruning techniques are difficult to adapt to high altitudes. Previous studies have shown that simply pruning pepper branches has poor adaptability in high-altitude areas, as verified in multiple pepper orchards in Guizhou, Sichuan, and Yunnan. It is also difficult to utilize in low- to mid-altitude areas where winter temperatures are prolonged, leading to the gradual elimination of heavy pruning techniques in high-altitude regions. This technique combines the advantages of pruning, lateral branch rotation, and natural growth cultivation, overcoming the limitations of single techniques in high-altitude areas. It forms a suitable method for retaining pepper branches in high-altitude regions and expands the planting area of ​​Dingtan pepper.

[0027] Previous research identified suitable planting areas for Dingtan peppercorns at altitudes below 800-900 meters, due to the abundance of heat resources in these regions and limitations imposed by technology at the time. By implementing this technology, the planting area for Dingtan peppercorns can be raised to an altitude of 1200-1300 meters. In the future, with technological advancements, the planting area for Dingtan peppercorns will further expand, evolving from a regional specialty to a local specialty.

[0028] Fourth, it can improve the yield and quality of Sichuan pepper. As the above analysis shows, this technology can increase the yield of Sichuan pepper, and the yield fluctuations between years are relatively stable, without the distinction between bumper and lean years, thus not affecting the enthusiasm of pepper farmers. Furthermore, this technology can extend the fruiting period, which is beneficial for improving quality and promoting improvements in key traits such as aroma and numbing sensation. Harvesting too late will cause the fruit to excessively consume the tree's nutrients, affecting the fruiting of the following year, which is also undesirable. In summary, this technology effectively overcomes the drawbacks of harvesting too early or too late. Attached Figure Description

[0029] Figure 1 Demonstration of lightly cutting Sichuan peppercorns;

[0030] Figure 2 A demonstration diagram of cutting peppercorns;

[0031] Figure 3 Demonstration of heavy pruning of Sichuan peppercorns;

[0032] Figure 4 This is a demonstration diagram of the rotational pruning of lateral branches of Sichuan pepper. Detailed Implementation

[0033] The following embodiments are used to illustrate the present invention, but are not intended to limit the scope of the invention. Modifications or substitutions made to the methods, steps, or conditions of the present invention without departing from the spirit and essence of the invention are all within the scope of the invention. The terms "medium pruning," "heavy pruning," and "lateral branch rotation" in the following embodiments are professional terms in the field of fruit tree pruning. Demonstration diagrams of light pruning, medium pruning, heavy pruning, and lateral branch rotation for Sichuan pepper are shown below. Figure 1 — Figure 4 As shown. The products or appliances used in the following examples are all commercially available, and the methods used in the examples are consistent with conventional methods unless otherwise specified.

[0034] The technical solution of the present invention will be further described in detail below with reference to the embodiments.

[0035] Example 1

[0036] 1. This embodiment selects mature *Zanthoxylum bungeanum* mother trees located in a depression at an altitude of 1150 meters. The trees are 6 years old. Medium pruning was performed in 2021, lateral branch rotation in 2022, and medium pruning again in 2023, cycling through this process. Microclimate changes, especially frost, in windward areas can easily damage new shoots and leaves; therefore, this technique should be carefully considered in such locations.

[0037] (1) The mid-term cut will be carried out from June 22 to June 24, 2021, and the rotation will be carried out from July 16 to July 17, 2022.

[0038] (2) After the middle pruning, the length of the first-level branch is about 1.1 meters. Based on the existing branches, the tree shape will be further shaped through later adjustments.

[0039] (3) When rotating lateral branches, the distance between the cut and the branching point should be 3-4 cm to prevent sunburn and promote nutrient return.

[0040] The reasons for alternating between medium pruning and lateral branch rotation are as follows: First, older branches are less likely to retain leaves, while newly sprouted branches are better able to retain leaves, providing organs and sites for photosynthesis, promoting flower bud differentiation, and thus increasing yield. Second, older branches have short spikes and small fruit diameters, which are not conducive to product accumulation and make it difficult to increase yield. Third, lateral branch rotation can improve the quality of Sichuan pepper by delaying harvesting, and it is also the basis for the targeted cultivation of top-grade Sichuan pepper, which can better coordinate the relationship between yield and quality. Fourth, if branches grow indefinitely in stages, the hydraulic safety factor will decrease and the nutrient supply capacity will be insufficient; continuous branch replacement will lead to excessively long and crowded branches, reducing light penetration. Fifth, lateral branch rotation can shorten the lignification time of branches, increase the growth cycle of branches, and reduce the risk of branches failing to lignify.

[0041] 2. The angle between the primary branch and the ground is 30°, the target tree shape is an open center shape, and the reflection forms N Y-shapes, which has a high efficiency in resource utilization.

[0042] 3. When rotating lateral branches, use the spring shoots that sprout that year as the main branches, and the summer and autumn shoots as fruit-bearing branches, with late summer and autumn shoots being the preferred choices. Summer and autumn shoots, especially autumn shoots, are used as fruit-bearing branches because their leaves can last for a year, within their normal leaf age range, making leaf preservation easier and a fundamental prerequisite for the accumulation of photosynthetic products. If leaves fall off prematurely, the main organs for photosynthesis and the main sites for water transport are lacking, leading to a significant reduction in yield.

[0043] 4. In the understory of Sichuan pepper trees, retain native herbaceous plants at a height of 20-30 cm to provide new host plants for pests and diseases, which can help prevent outbreaks of rust, aphids, etc. At the same time, do not carry out weed control measures such as mowing or weeding within 15-20 days after fertilization to prevent the herbaceous layer from growing too quickly and consuming too much nutrients, and to avoid fierce competition for nutrients between Sichuan pepper trees and the herbaceous layer.

[0044] 5. Leave 8 inner branches, each 50 cm long. The inner branches should be short to prevent them from becoming too long and competing with the outer lateral branches for resources such as light, temperature, water, and air, thus reducing the yield of the lateral branches. Therefore, the length of the inner branches should be shorter than that of the lateral branches.

[0045] 6. The crown width is 1.8 meters in both the east-west and north-south directions, with a total of 70 fruit-bearing branches, each 50 centimeters long. The branches are relatively dispersed in space.

[0046] 7. On August 24-25 and December 10-11 each year, remove weak, redundant, drooping, and diseased branches twice to ensure that the branches are not crowded in space and that air and water can circulate smoothly.

[0047] 8. Harvest Sichuan peppercorns in mid-to-late July when the oil cells on the fruit swell and protrude, and crescent-shaped grooves appear on the peel. The essential oil content of the peppercorns is at its peak at this stage. After harvesting for the current year, begin shaping the trees for the following year to achieve full-cycle management of the pepper orchard.

[0048] The *Zanthoxylum bungeanum* fruit spikes produced using the method described in this embodiment are 6-8 cm long, with 8-12 fruit spikes per branch and 20-50 fruits per spike. The average yield per plant is 3-5 kg, the leaf disease rate is less than 15%, and the leaf lifespan is 10-12 months. The relative contents of limonene and linalool reach 17.35% and 29.44%, respectively. The input cost per mu (approximately 0.067 hectares) is about 1000-1200 yuan, which is 70%-80% lower than other technologies.

[0049] Example 2

[0050] 1. This embodiment was implemented in a low-lying area at an altitude of 1040 meters, selecting 5-year-old mature mother trees of *Zanthoxylum bungeanum*. Medium pruning was applied in 2022, lateral branch rotation in 2023, and medium pruning was then used again to cultivate the tree shape for 2024. This process was repeated cyclically to maintain the tree crown within a suitable range. Similarly, microclimate changes, especially frost, in windward locations can easily cause frost damage to new shoots and leaves; therefore, this technique should be carefully considered in these areas.

[0051] (1) Based on the biological laws of the top-grade pepper, the middle pruning was carried out on June 29-30, 2022, and the lateral branch rotation was carried out on July 23-24, 2023.

[0052] (2) After the middle pruning, the length of the first-level branches is about 1.2 meters. Later, an open-center tree shape is shaped on this basis to lay the foundation for high and stable yield.

[0053] (3) When rotating lateral branches, remove fruit-bearing branches and retain the new shoots that sprout in the current year as the basis for later shaping and branch cultivation. This can help to gain a time difference of 1-2 months and reconcile the contradiction between harvesting time and quality formation. The distance between the cut and the branch should be 3-5 cm. Avoid cutting directly at the branching point.

[0054] 2. The angle between the primary branches and the ground is 25°, which makes the tree shape open and avoids forming a bushy shape, making it easier to make full use of ecological factors in the later stage.

[0055] 3. After the lateral branch rotation was carried out in 2023, the spring shoots that sprouted that year were cultivated as the main branches, and the late summer and autumn shoots were retained as fruit-bearing branches.

[0056] 4. During the growth period of Sichuan pepper, retain 20-30 cm of understory herbaceous plants. This allows the herbaceous plants to fulfill various functions and also helps to balance the competition between the Sichuan pepper and the herbaceous plants. If the herbaceous layer becomes too tall, use wooden sticks to make it fall over, reducing competition for nutrients. At the same time, strictly control the timing of weeding, always weeding 15-20 days before fertilization to prevent excessive growth.

[0057] 5. Leave 10 branches inside the canopy, each 40 centimeters long. This will make full use of the space, avoid waste, and prevent the space from becoming too crowded.

[0058] 6. The crown width is 2 meters in both east-west and north-south directions, with a total of 65 fruit-bearing branches, each 60 centimeters in length. The relationship between the crown, the number of branches, and the branch length should be well coordinated to make full use of the space between and within the tree.

[0059] 7. At the end of August and the beginning of December each year, remove weak, redundant, drooping, and diseased branches to avoid overcrowding and reduce the waste of resources caused by the growth of ineffective branches. Since branch thinning is a regular process in pepper garden management, or is removed as soon as it is discovered, there is no exact date.

[0060] 9. Harvest Sichuan peppercorns in late July when the oil cells on the fruit swell and protrude, and crescent-shaped grooves appear on the peel. After harvesting for the current year, begin shaping the tree for the following year to achieve full-cycle management of the pepper orchard.

[0061] The *Zanthoxylum bungeanum* fruit spikes produced using the method described in this embodiment are 6-9 cm long, with 10-12 fruit spikes per branch and 25-55 fruits per spike. The average yield per plant is 3.5-5 kg, the leaf disease rate is less than 10%, and the leaf lifespan is 9-12 months. The relative contents of limonene and linalool reach 14.80% and 43.43%, respectively. The input cost per mu (approximately 0.067 hectares) is 1000-1200 yuan, which is nearly half the production cost compared to other technologies.

[0062] Comparative Example 1: Only heavy pruning of branches

[0063] This comparative example is a conventional heavy pruning plan. The specific operation is as follows: Select mature mother trees of Sichuan pepper in the Dingtan area at an altitude of 900-1200 meters, harvest the peppers and complete the pruning before the end of June, leaving the first-level branches with a length of 10-30 cm, and then shape the tree according to the newly sprouted branches.

[0064] A typical drawback of this comparative method is the need for early harvesting; otherwise, the fruiting branches will struggle to lignify the following year, impacting yield and quality, particularly reducing the competitiveness of the peppercorns. Furthermore, it requires extensive use of chemical fertilizers and pesticides, hindering organic and ecological peppercorn cultivation and resulting in high agronomic inputs. Additionally, the intertwining of new shoots makes shaping the tree into an open-center form difficult, requiring significant labor costs. Observational results show that the peppercorn spikes produced in this comparative method are 2-3 cm long, with 3-5 spikes per fruiting branch, 10-20 fruits per spike, and an average yield of 1-2 kg. Some peppercorn trees fail to produce sufficient yield. Moreover, this method is particularly labor-intensive and resource-intensive, increasing costs by 1-1.2 times compared to the technology of this invention.

[0065] Comparative Example 2: Only lateral branch rotation

[0066] This comparative example is a conventional lateral branch rotation scheme. The specific operation is as follows: select mature mother trees of Sichuan pepper in the range of 900-1200 meters above sea level. When harvesting Sichuan pepper, do not prune heavily, but retain the new shoots that sprout in the current year as the main branches and fruit-bearing branches for the following year.

[0067] A typical problem with this comparative model is that as the canopy gradually widens, the space becomes increasingly crowded, making harvesting, water and fertilizer management, and tree shape control difficult. Unlimited branching also reduces the hydraulic safety factor, and branches beyond the third level have almost no fruiting potential, resulting in significant waste. Furthermore, since rust, aphids, and other pests tend to erupt from June to August, unlimited branching increases the pressure on pest and disease control, making it difficult to accurately time pest and disease interventions. Observational results show that the top-grade Sichuan pepper produced in this comparative model has fruit spikes 4-7 cm long, with 8-10 spikes per fruiting branch, 15-40 fruits per spike, and an average yield of 2-3 kg per tree. In addition, labor costs increase by 30%-50%, mainly due to increased expenses for fertilization, weeding, harvesting, shaping, and bud removal.

[0068] Comparative Example 3: Clustered Branches

[0069] This comparative example uses a conventional clump-shaped tree design. The specific operation involves selecting mature mother trees of Sichuan pepper at an altitude of 900-1200 meters in the top of the altar, without considering the angle of branching or controlling the number and length of branches, and allowing them to grow naturally.

[0070] A typical problem with this comparative model is the poor ventilation and light penetration within the canopy, resulting in insufficient utilization of light, water, and air. Insufficient water and fertilizer supply leads to a low fruit-bearing rate in the lower half of the branches, with fruit only appearing in the middle and upper parts, causing significant waste. Long-term observations show that the fruit spikes of *Zanthoxylum bungeanum* produced in this model are only 3-5 cm long, with 2-6 spikes per fruiting branch, 15-30 fruits per spike, and an average yield of 1-1.5 kg per plant. This model also has low resistance to adverse conditions, easily leading to leaf drop due to pests, diseases, and nutrient deficiencies, affecting normal photosynthesis and losing the physiological basis for yield accumulation. Long-term production practice indicates that the clump-shaped form is not the preferred tree shape; an open-center shape is more suitable.

[0071] Comparative Example 4: Pepper Garden with Few Herbs Under the Forest

[0072] This comparative example is a management scheme for pepper gardens with few understory herbs. The specific operation is as follows: manual weeding is adopted to regularly remove understory herbs, leaving the soil surface basically bare. Other operation methods are the same as in Example 2.

[0073] The prominent problems in the pepper orchards in this comparative study are as follows: First, the tender branches and leaves of the pepper plants become the sole hosts for pests and diseases, leading to high incidence rates of rust and aphids. Leaf cannibalism reaches 60%-70%, and in some cases, over 80%-90%. Leaf lifespan is mostly 3-8 months, resulting in low photosynthetic efficiency. Second, exposed soil surface leads to poor fertilizer efficiency and increased soil erosion. Ultimately, the pepper yield in these orchards is also low, with fruit clusters only 3-5 cm long, 3-6 clusters per fruiting branch, 15-40 fruits per cluster, and an average yield of 0.8-1.5 kg per plant.

[0074] The embodiments described above are merely preferred embodiments of the present invention and are not intended to limit the scope of the present invention. Various modifications and improvements made by those skilled in the art to the technical solutions of the present invention without departing from the spirit of the present invention should fall within the protection scope defined by the claims of the present invention.

Claims

1. A method for retaining branches when planting Sichuan pepper at high altitudes, characterized in that, The branch retention method is applied to mature mother trees of Sichuan pepper in the altitude range of 900-1200 meters. Specifically, it involves: medium pruning in the first year, lateral branch rotation in the second year, and medium pruning back in the third year, and so on. The pruning was carried out from June 20 to June 30 of that year, and the lateral branch rotation was carried out from July 10 to July 25 of that year. The term "medium pruning" refers to retaining only the primary branches and removing all other branches; after medium pruning, the length of the primary branches is 1.0-1.2 meters. The lateral branch rotation refers to removing fruit-bearing branches and retaining the newly sprouted tender branches of the current year as fruit-bearing branches for cultivation in the following year; when the lateral branch rotation is carried out, the distance between the lateral branch cut and the branching point is 2-5 cm. After the central pruning and the rotation of lateral branches, 20-30 cm of understory herbs are retained. The method of retaining branches also includes the step of retaining inner branches, wherein the number of inner branches retained is 8-10, and the length is 30-50 cm.

2. The branch retention method according to claim 1, characterized in that, After the medium pruning, the angle between the primary branches and the ground is 20-30°, with the goal of cultivating an open-center tree shape.

3. The branch retention method according to claim 2, characterized in that, When rotating lateral branches, spring shoots are retained as main branches, while summer and autumn shoots are used as fruit-bearing branches.

4. The branch retention method according to claim 3, characterized in that, After the branches are cultivated using the aforementioned branch retention method, the east-west and north-south crown widths are both 1.8-2.0 meters, the total number of fruit-bearing branches is 60-80, and the length of the fruit-bearing branches is 40-60 centimeters.

5. The branch retention method according to claim 4, characterized in that, It also includes two thinning steps, which are carried out in August-September and December, respectively.

6. The branch retention method according to claim 5, characterized in that, In mid-to-late July, when the oil cells of the fruit swell and protrude, and the peel shows crescent-shaped grooves, the peppers are harvested. After the harvest for the year is completed, the aforementioned branch retention method is used to continue shaping the tree, thereby achieving full-cycle management of the pepper orchard.

7. The application of the branch retention method according to any one of claims 1-6 in the cultivation of Sichuan pepper in Dingtan.

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