A method for cultivating apple tree with stable yield and high yield

Abstract

The present application belongs to the field of agricultural technology, and particularly relates to a method for cultivating a stable and high-yield apple tree shape. The method can guarantee balanced growth of branches by 1-2 times of continuous pinching and supporting of branches in different spatial levels, promote formation of flower buds and short branches at the pinched branches, and then achieve the effect of fruiting and balancing tree vigor through fruit setting, so as to finally obtain a stable and high-yield tree shape structure. Therefore, the method provided by the present application eliminates time-consuming and labor-consuming steps such as traditional branch pulling, ring peeling and bud notching, greatly saves labor, is convenient for light and simple cultivation, and can be widely applied.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The application belongs to the technical field of agriculture, and particularly relates to a method for cultivating a stable and high-yield apple tree shape. BACKGROUND

[0002] China is the first apple producing country in the world, with the largest planting area and yield. However, due to the long-term excessive application of nitrogen fertilizer in apple orchards, it is difficult for adult apple trees to bloom and easy to grow vigorously, which brings great difficulty to the pruning and management of the tree body. In addition, due to the excessive growth of young trees in newly built orchards, it is difficult to bloom and form a tree shape, which is difficult to quickly enter the high-yield period and the large-small year phenomenon is serious, which not only causes great economic losses to fruit farmers, but also seriously restricts the high-quality, efficient and sustainable development of China's apple industry.

[0003] At present, fruit farmers often use traditional methods such as bud scarification, girdling and ring peeling to promote apple flowering. However, the above methods need to rely on the experience of fruit farmers, and the operation is complex, time-consuming and labor-intensive, and at the same time, it is easy to spread the rot disease due to improper treatment of the wound. Therefore, how to promote apple production and quickly solve the difficulty of young tree formation and flowering is a problem to be solved in the apple industry. SUMMARY

[0004] The purpose of the present application is to provide a method for cultivating a stable and high-yield apple tree shape, which is quick and easy to operate, and is conducive to promoting apple flowering and rapid formation of young trees.

[0005] The present application provides a method for cultivating a stable and high-yield apple tree shape, comprising the following steps:

[0006] The grafted rootstock is cultured to make the scion grow into a grafted trunk;

[0007] The grafted trunk is pinched and supported to obtain an apple high-yield tree body;

[0008] The apple high-yield tree body forms a stable and high-yield apple tree shape after fruit setting;

[0009] The pinching and supporting includes first pinching and first supporting, second pinching and second supporting, and third pinching and third supporting;

[0010] The first pinching and first supporting includes first pinching and first supporting of the branches on the grafted trunk with a height of less than 80 cm; the length of the branches on the grafted trunk with a height of less than 80 cm is 20-25 cm;

[0011] The second pinching and second supporting includes second pinching and second supporting of the branches on the grafted trunk with a height of 80-110 cm and the new branches on the grafted trunk with a height of less than 80 cm, respectively;

[0012] The length of the branches on the grafted main stem within the height range of 80-110cm is 15-20cm;

[0013] The length of new branches on the grafted main stem within the height range of <80cm is 20-25cm;

[0014] The third pinching and third branching include: pinching the third tip and branching the third branch on the grafted main stem within the height range of >110cm and <140cm;

[0015] The branch length on the grafted main stem within the height range of >110cm and <140cm is 15-20cm.

[0016] Preferably, the angles of the first support branch, the second support branch, and the third support branch are 90° to 110°.

[0017] Preferably, the method further includes spraying a branching agent on the grafted main stem within a range of 80-110cm.

[0018] Preferably, before grafting, the planting density of the rootstock is (0.8~1.0)m×(3.5~4.0)m.

[0019] Preferably, the grafting method includes bud grafting.

[0020] Preferably, the rootstock includes one or more of the following: dwarfing self-rooted rootstock, rootstock formed by grafting a base rootstock and a dwarfing intermediate rootstock, and standard self-rooted rootstock;

[0021] Preferably, the dwarfing rootstock includes M9-T337 or G935;

[0022] The rootstock formed by grafting the base rootstock and the dwarfing intermediate rootstock includes M26 as the dwarfing intermediate rootstock, and the base rootstock includes Xinjiang wild apple or mountain apple.

[0023] The rootstocks for the tree-forming process include Xinjiang wild apple or mountain apple.

[0024] Preferably, in the year of grafting, the apple tree is 150-180cm tall and has an average of 23-31 branches.

[0025] The branches are distributed in three spatial levels: <80cm, 80-110cm, and >110cm and <140cm from the grafting point, respectively.

[0026] In the second year after grafting, the apple tree had an average of 25-36 flower buds and an average of 15-25 fruits.

[0027] Beneficial effects:

[0028] This invention provides a simplified method for cultivating stable and high-yielding apple tree shapes, comprising the following steps: cultivating the grafted rootstock to make the scion the length of the grafted trunk; pinching and supporting the grafted trunk to obtain a high-yielding apple tree; after fruit set, the high-yielding apple tree forms a stable and high-yielding apple tree shape; the pinching and supporting include first pinching and first supporting, second pinching and second supporting, and third pinching and third supporting; the first pinching and first supporting includes: first pinching and first supporting on branches on the grafted trunk within a height range of <80cm; the length of the branches on the grafted trunk within a height range of <80cm is 20-25cm; the second pinching... The second supporting branch includes: performing second pinching and second supporting branching on branches on the grafted main stem with a height range of 80-110cm and on newly grown branches on the grafted main stem with a height range of <80cm, respectively; the length of the branches on the grafted main stem with a height range of 80-110cm is 15-20cm; the length of the newly grown branches on the grafted main stem with a height range of <80cm is 20-25cm; the third pinching and third supporting branching includes: performing third pinching and third branching on branches on the grafted main stem with a height range of >110cm and <140cm; the length of the branches on the grafted main stem with a height range of >110cm and <140cm is 15-20cm. This invention ensures balanced branch growth by performing one to two consecutive pinching and branch propping operations on branches at different spatial levels, promoting the formation of flower buds and short branches at the pinching points. After fruit set, it achieves the effect of using fruit to suppress branches and balance tree vigor, which is more conducive to obtaining a tree structure that yields stable and high yields year after year. At the same time, it eliminates the time-consuming and labor-intensive processes of traditional branch pulling, girdling, and bud notching, greatly saving labor and effort, making it easy to simplify cultivation, and can be widely promoted and applied.

[0029] Field experiments have proven that the apple trees cultivated according to this invention can rapidly develop into flowering and fruiting branches in the grafting year, forming three levels of branches (upper, middle, and lower). The average number of horizontal branches reaches 23-31, and in the second year after grafting, the average number of flower buds on the tree reaches 25-36; the average number of fruits reaches 15-25. Therefore, the stable and high-yielding apple tree shape provided by this invention is more conducive to promoting apple tree flowering, accelerating tree development, and increasing fruit yield. Attached Figure Description

[0030] To more clearly illustrate the technical solutions in the embodiments of the present invention or the prior art, the accompanying drawings used in the embodiments will be briefly described below.

[0031] Figure 1 This refers to the tree structure before the first pinching and first branching in Example 1;

[0032] Figure 2 This refers to the tree structure after the first pinching and first branching in Example 1;

[0033] Figure 3 The structure of the apple tree in the first year after grafting in Example 1;

[0034] Figure 4 In Example 1, bamboo toothpicks were used to support the branching angle and tree structure of the tree.

[0035] Figure 5 This is a partial flowering diagram of the apple tree in the second year after grafting, as shown in Example 1.

[0036] Figure 6 The image shows the flowering status of the apple tree at the beginning of flowering in the second year after grafting in Example 1.

[0037] Figure 7 Example 1 shows the flowering situation of the apple tree during its peak flowering period in the second year after grafting;

[0038] Figure 8 Example 1 shows the flowering situation of the apple tree during its peak flowering period in the second year after grafting;

[0039] Figure 9 This is a comparison chart of the number of flower buds on apple trees in Example 1 and Comparative Example 1, where the control group corresponds to Comparative Example 1 and the treatment group corresponds to Example 1.

[0040] Figure 10 This is a comparison chart of the number of apple trees bearing fruit in Example 1 and Comparative Example 1, where the control group corresponds to Comparative Example 1 and the treatment group corresponds to Example 1. Detailed Implementation

[0041] This invention provides a simplified method for cultivating stable and high-yielding apple tree shapes, comprising the following steps: cultivating the grafted rootstock to make the scion the length of the grafted trunk; pinching and supporting the grafted trunk to obtain a high-yielding apple tree; after fruit set, the high-yielding apple tree forms a stable and high-yielding apple tree shape; the pinching and supporting include first pinching and first supporting, second pinching and second supporting, and third pinching and third supporting; the first pinching and first supporting includes: first pinching and first supporting on branches on the grafted trunk within a height range of <80cm; the length of the branches on the grafted trunk within a height range of <80cm is 20-25cm; the second pinching... The second supporting branch includes: performing second pinching and second supporting branching on branches on the grafted main stem with a height range of 80-110cm and on newly grown branches on the grafted main stem with a height range of <80cm, respectively; the length of the branches on the grafted main stem with a height range of 80-110cm is 15-20cm; the length of the newly grown branches on the grafted main stem with a height range of <80cm is 20-25cm; the third pinching and third supporting branching includes: performing third pinching and third branching on branches on the grafted main stem with a height range of >110cm and <140cm; the length of the branches on the grafted main stem with a height range of >110cm and <140cm is 15-20cm.

[0042] This invention preferably involves planting rootstocks. In this invention, the rootstock preferably includes one or more of the following: dwarfing self-rooted rootstock, rootstock formed by grafting a base rootstock and a dwarfing intermediate rootstock, and standard self-rooted rootstock; the dwarfing self-rooted rootstock preferably includes M9-T337 or G935; the dwarfing intermediate rootstock preferably includes M26; the base rootstock preferably includes Xinjiang wild apple or mountain apple; the standard self-rooted rootstock preferably includes Xinjiang wild apple or mountain apple. In a specific embodiment of this invention, the rootstock is M9-T337.

[0043] In this invention, the planting density is preferably (0.8–1.0) m × (3.5–4.0) m, more preferably 1 m × 4 m; the planting time is preferably March of the grafting year or October of the previous year. This invention does not have special requirements for field management techniques during planting; well-known management techniques in the art can be used.

[0044] After planting, the present invention preferably involves stabilizing the rootstock. In this invention, the stabilization height is preferably 70-80 cm, more preferably 70 cm. Optimizing the stabilization height promotes rapid growth of grafted branches and simultaneously increases apple fruit yield. The present invention does not have special requirements for the stabilization method; techniques well-known in the art can be used.

[0045] After the rootstock is fixed, the present invention preferably grafts the rootstock. In the present invention, the grafting method is preferably bud grafting. The grafting temperature is preferably ≥20℃; the grafting time is preferably April to May. The present invention does not have special requirements for the variety of grafting buds; varieties well-known in the art can be used. In a specific embodiment of the present invention, the variety of grafting bud is Yanfu 10.

[0046] After grafting, the present invention cultivates the grafted scion to become the grafted main stem. When bud grafting is used, the scion is the grafting bud. In the present invention, the cultivation method has no special requirements and any technique well known in the art can be used. Cultivation promotes the rapid growth of the grafting bud into the grafted main stem.

[0047] After obtaining the grafted main stem, the present invention performs a first pinching and a first branching on the grafted main stem. In the present invention, the first pinching includes pinching branches on the grafted main stem with a height <80cm, wherein the length of the branches on the grafted main stem with a height <80cm is 20-25cm, more preferably 24-25cm, and even more preferably 24cm; the first pinching preferably only includes branches on the grafted main stem with a height <80cm; that is, the main stem grown from the grafted bud after cultivation, the same below. The first branching in the present invention preferably includes, immediately after the first pinching, the first branching is performed on the branches after the first pinching. The tool for the first branching in the present invention preferably includes a bamboo toothpick; the angle of the first branching is preferably 90-110°, more preferably 110°; the angle during the first branching refers to the angle formed by the branch being propped open and the growth direction of the main stem. In the present invention, the branches with a grafted bud <80cm preferably include natural branches, and the number of natural branches preferably includes 13-15. The present invention does not have special requirements for the source of the bamboo toothpick, the first plucking and the first supporting techniques, and any techniques known in the art can be used.

[0048] After the first pinching and first branching, this invention preferably sprays a branching-promoting agent on the main trunk within a height range of 80-110cm. In this invention, the branching-promoting agent preferably includes permalin, and the spraying time is preferably July-August of the grafting year. The permalin used in this invention is commercially available, and the dosage and number of sprays should be in accordance with the instructions in the product manual. Spraying the branching-promoting agent helps to encourage branching of the apple trunk during the high-temperature season.

[0049] After spraying the branching-promoting agent, the present invention performs a second pinching and a second branch support on the grafted main stem. In this invention, the second pinching includes pinching branches on the grafted main stem with a height of 80-110cm; the length of the branches on the grafted main stem with a height of 80-110cm is 15-20cm; the length of the branches is further preferably 18-20cm, more preferably 20cm. The second pinching of the present invention targets not only branches growing within the 80-110cm section of the main stem reaching 15-20cm, but also newly grown branches on the grafted main stem with a height of <80cm reaching 20-25cm; the length of the newly grown branches is further preferably 24-25cm, more preferably 24cm. In this invention, the second branch support is preferably performed immediately after the second pinching, followed by the second branch support. The tool for supporting the second branch in this invention preferably includes a bamboo toothpick; the angle of the second branch is 90-110°, more preferably 110°; the angle during the second branch support refers to the angle formed by the branch being supported and the growth direction of the main stem. In this invention, the branches grafted onto the main stem within the 80-110cm range preferably include induced branches, and the number of induced branches preferably includes 5-8; the new branches within the height <80cm range preferably include natural branches, and the number of natural branches is not limited. Furthermore, this invention does not have special requirements regarding the source of the bamboo toothpick, the second pinching, and the second branch support techniques; techniques well known in the art can be used.

[0050] After the second pinching and second branch support, the present invention performs a third pinching and a third branch support on the grafted main stem. In this invention, the third pinching includes pinching branches on the grafted main stem with a height >110cm and <140cm; the length of the branches on the grafted main stem with a height >110cm and <140cm is 15-20cm, more preferably 18-20cm, and even more preferably 18cm. In this invention, the third pinching is preferably performed only on branches with a length of 15-20cm growing within the height >110cm and <140cm range. The third branch support is preferably performed immediately after the third pinching. The tool for the third branch support is preferably a bamboo toothpick; the angle of the third branch support is 90-110°, more preferably 110°; the angle during the third branch support refers to the angle formed by the supported branch and the growth direction of the main stem. In this invention, the branches on the grafted main stem with a height between >110cm and <140cm preferably include natural branches, and the number of natural branches preferably includes 5 to 8. This invention does not have special requirements regarding the source of the bamboo toothpicks, the first pinching, and the first branch-supporting techniques; techniques well-known in the art can be used. This invention, through three consecutive pinching and branch-supporting operations, facilitates the formation of numerous short branches and flower buds at the pinching point of the branch.

[0051] After the third pinching and third branching, the present invention preferably yields a stable and high-yielding apple tree. In the present invention, in the year of grafting, the apple tree is 150-180cm tall and has a total of 23-31 branches, which are distributed in three spatial levels at a distance of <80cm, 80-110cm, and >110cm and <140cm from the grafting point; the angles of the branches are 90-110°.

[0052] In this invention, in the second year after grafting, if the apple tree is less than 80cm tall, short branch terminal flower buds will form at the first and second pinching points, with 15 to 20 short branch terminal flower buds; if the tree is between 80 and 110cm tall, short branch terminal flower buds will form at the second pinching point, with 5 to 8 short branch terminal flower buds; if the tree is between 110cm and 140cm tall, short branch terminal flower buds will form at the third pinching point, with 5 to 8 short branch terminal flower buds.

[0053] The apple tree described in this invention, after fruit set, forms a stable and high-yielding tree shape. In this invention, after the second year of fruit set following grafting, the average number of fruits per tree is 15-25. Through fruit-based branch training, the tree vigor is balanced and the tree shape is stabilized, which is beneficial for cultivating a stable and high-yielding apple tree structure year after year. Throughout the cultivation process, this invention preferably employs conventional water and fertilizer management techniques well-known in the art.

[0054] Field experiments have proven that the apple trees cultivated according to this invention can rapidly develop into flowering and fruiting branches in the grafting year, forming three levels of flowering and fruiting branches. The average number of horizontal branches reaches 23-31. In the second year after grafting, the average number of flower buds on an apple tree reaches 25-36, and the average number of fruits reaches 15-25. Compared with conventional cultivation methods, this invention, using bud grafting and conventional management, can form flower buds and distinct branch levels in just one year. The total number of flower buds increases by 734% and the number of fruits increases by 929% in the second year after grafting. Therefore, the stable and high-yielding apple tree shape provided by this invention is more conducive to promoting apple tree flowering, accelerating tree development, and increasing fruit yield. It greatly saves labor and effort, facilitating simplified cultivation, and is suitable for large-scale promotion and application.

[0055] To further illustrate the present invention, the following detailed description of a simplified method for cultivating stable and high-yielding apple tree shapes provided by the present invention is provided in conjunction with the accompanying drawings and embodiments, but these descriptions should not be construed as limiting the scope of protection of the present invention.

[0056] Example 1

[0057] A simplified method for cultivating stable and high-yielding apple tree shapes comprises the following steps:

[0058] In mid-March 2022, T337 rootstock was selected for planting at a density of 1.0m × 4.0m. After planting, the rootstock was staked to a height of 70cm.

[0059] In mid-April, the rootstocks after stabilization were grafted using bud grafting, and the grafted variety was Aifei. Throughout the cultivation process, routine water and fertilizer management was carried out according to local planting practices.

[0060] In mid-June, when the grafted bud reaches a length of 20-25cm within an 80cm radius, perform the first pinching of the branches within this range. Simultaneously, use disposable bamboo toothpicks to prop up the branches at a 110° angle. At this time, the branches within this range are natural branches, and the number of branches is 13-15 (see tree condition before the first pinching and propping). Figure 1 After the first pinching and branch propping, the tree structure appears... Figure 2 ).

[0061] In mid-July, due to the hot weather, apple trees do not easily branch. At this time, spray promalin on branches that have grown to 80-110cm. The promalin was purchased from Valencia, Inc. (English name: Promalin, active ingredients: 1.8% each of 6-BA and GA4+7). Spraying was performed according to the product's instructions. After spraying, 5-8 branches were encouraged to grow. When these branches reached 15-20cm in length, they were pinched back a second time and supported with disposable bamboo toothpicks at a 110° angle. Simultaneously, new branches under 80cm that reached 20-25cm were pinched back a second time and supported with disposable bamboo toothpicks at a 110° angle. At this point, the new branches under 80cm were considered natural branches, numbering 13-15. The second support was done with disposable bamboo toothpicks at a 110° angle; at this point, there were 5-8 branches.

[0062] In mid-August, the branches within the range of >110cm and <140cm are pinched for the third time. The third pinching is performed when the branches within this range reach a length of 15-20cm. After pinching, disposable bamboo toothpicks are used to prop up the branches at an angle of 110°. At this point, the branches within this range are natural branches, and the number of branches is 5-8.

[0063] After the above operations, the grafted tree will reach a height of 150-180cm in the same year; the total number of branches will reach 23-31, and the branches will be distributed in three spatial levels: <80cm from the grafting point, 80-110cm, and >110cm but <140cm. Figure 3 The branching angle is 110° (using bamboo toothpicks to support the branches). See the section on branching angle and tree structure. Figure 4 (The red arrow indicates the position of the bamboo toothpick support).

[0064] In April of the second year after grafting, within a height of <80cm, the first and second pinching points readily produce 15-20 plump terminal flower buds; within a height of 80-110cm, the second pinching point produces 5-8 flower buds; and within a height of >110cm and <140cm, the branches produced by the third pinching readily produce 5-8 flower buds (see...). Figures 5 to 8 In the second year after grafting, the total number of fruits on a single tree can reach 15 to 25.

[0065] Comparative Example 1

[0066] A conventional method for cultivating high-yielding apple tree shapes comprises the following steps:

[0067] In mid-March 2022, T337 rootstock was selected for planting at a density of 1.0m × 4.0m. After planting, the rootstock was staked to a height of 70cm.

[0068] In mid-April, the rootstocks after stabilization were grafted using bud grafting, with the grafted variety being Yanfu 10. Throughout the cultivation process, routine water and fertilizer management was carried out according to local planting practices.

[0069] Do not pinch off the tips of the naturally branched branches in the first year, but pull the branches out in the usual way, that is, in April of the second year after grafting, an average of 1 to 5 flower buds will be formed.

[0070] Results and Analysis

[0071] The number of flower buds in Example 1 and Comparative Example 1 ( Figure 9 ) and number of fruits set ( Figure 10 ) Perform statistical analysis.

[0072] Depend on Figure 9 It can be concluded that, after adopting the method provided by this invention, the average number of flower buds in the upper, middle, and lower layers are 5.7, 7.5, and 11 respectively, with a total average of 24.2, which is 21.3 higher than the average total number of flower buds in conventional methods; the increase reaches 734%. Figure 10 It can be concluded that after adopting the method provided by the present invention, fruits are set in all three layers (upper, middle, and lower), with an average total number of fruits reaching 17.5, while the average number of fruits set by the conventional method is only 1.7.

[0073] In summary, the apple tree shape provided by this invention is more conducive to promoting apple tree flowering, accelerating apple tree shaping, and increasing fruit yield. It saves labor and effort to a great extent, facilitates simplified cultivation, and is suitable for large-scale promotion and application.

[0074] Although the above embodiments have provided a detailed description of the present invention, they are only some embodiments of the present invention, and not all embodiments. People can obtain other embodiments based on these embodiments without creative effort, and these embodiments all fall within the protection scope of the present invention.

Claims

1. A simplified method for cultivating stable and high-yielding apple tree shapes, characterized in that, Includes the following steps: The rootstock after grafting is cultivated so that the scion grows to become the main stem of the graft. The grafted trunk is pinched and supported to obtain a high-yielding apple tree. After fruit set, the apple tree forms a stable and high-yield tree shape. The topping and propping include first topping and first propping, second topping and second propping, and third topping and third propping; The first pinching and the first branch support include: pinching the first branch and supporting the first branch on the grafted main stem within a height range of <80cm; the length of the branch on the grafted main stem within a height range of <80cm is 20~25cm; The second pinching and the second branch support include: pinching the branches on the grafted main stem with a height of 80-110cm and supporting the new branches on the grafted main stem with a height of <80cm respectively. The length of the branches on the grafted main stem within the height range of 80-110cm is 15-20cm; The length of newly grown branches on the grafted main stem within the height range of <80cm is 20~25cm; The third pinching and third branch support include: performing third pinching and third branch support on branches on the grafted main stem within a height range of >110cm and <140cm; The branch length on the grafted main stem within the height range of >110cm and <140cm is 15~20cm; The angles of the first, second, and third supporting branches are 90° to 110°, respectively. The method also includes spraying a branching agent on the grafted main stem within a range of 80-110cm; In the year of grafting, the apple tree was 150-180cm tall and had an average of 23-31 branches. The branches are distributed in three spatial levels: <80cm from the grafting point, 80~110cm from the grafting point, and >110cm and <140cm from the grafting point. In the second year after grafting, the apple tree had an average of 25-36 flower buds and an average of 15-25 fruits.

2. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that, Before grafting, the planting density of the rootstock is (0.8~1.0)m×(3.5~4.0)m.

3. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that, The grafting methods include bud grafting.

4. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that, The rootstock includes one or more of the following: dwarfing self-rooted rootstock, rootstock formed by grafting a base rootstock and a dwarfing intermediate rootstock, and standard self-rooted rootstock.

5. The method according to claim 4, characterized in that, The dwarfing rootstocks include M9-T337 or G935; The rootstock formed by grafting the base rootstock and the dwarfing intermediate rootstock includes M26 as the dwarfing intermediate rootstock, and the base rootstock includes Xinjiang wild apple or mountain apple. The rootstocks for the tree-forming process include Xinjiang wild apple or mountain apple.

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