A method of growing macadamia nut flowers and fruit in synchrony

Abstract

This invention discloses a method for simultaneous flowering and fruiting of macadamia nuts. First, in September of the current year, pre-harvest fertilizer is applied to the 695 macadamia nut variety before fruit harvest. In October, when the fruit matures, 1 / 5 to 1 / 3 is harvested, with the remaining fruit left on the branches. Post-harvest pruning is carried out in October and November, leaving branches that did not bear fruit unpruned; harvested branches are lightly pruned. From November to March of the following year, the remaining fruit is harvested in batches, leaving no more than 1 / 4 of the fruit, with branch pruning performed simultaneously during harvest. Before flower bud differentiation in November, a flower-promoting fertilizer is sprayed to encourage flower bud differentiation. Around March of the following year, the 695 macadamia nut variety flowers, achieving simultaneous flowering and fruiting, with all remaining fruit harvested. This invention addresses the low natural fruit drop rate of the 695 macadamia nut variety by harvesting a portion of the fruit during the October ripening period, leaving the rest on the branches, and then harvesting in batches according to market conditions to stagger market entry. Simultaneously, the fruit is used to suppress the sprouting of autumn / winter and spring shoots, promote flower bud differentiation, and reduce the workload of post-harvest pruning.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention belongs to the field of agricultural planting, specifically relating to a method for simultaneous planting of macadamia flowers and fruits. Background Technology

[0002] Macadamia integrifolia, also known as Hawaiian nut, Queensland nut, or Australian walnut, is a highly nutritious fruit. It contains 70%-79% oil, rich in oleic acid, palmitic acid, linoleic acid, and other unsaturated fatty acids. The kernels are crisp and delicious with a unique creamy aroma. Macadamia nuts are popular for their health benefits, including regulating cholesterol and reducing the risk of cardiovascular disease. In my country, macadamia nut cultivation is mainly concentrated in Yunnan, Guangxi, Guangdong, Hainan, Fujian, Zhejiang, and Sichuan provinces. Major domestic varieties include Gui Re No. 1, OC, and 695. Each variety has different growth characteristics. The peak harvest season is from September to October, during which a large quantity of macadamia nuts enters the market. While this increases production and income, it also impacts prices; higher yields inevitably lead to lower purchase and selling prices.

[0003] The main macadamia nut variety harvested in Guangxi is Gui Re No. 1, an early-maturing variety whose fruits fully ripen around September. This variety has a high natural fruit drop rate, necessitating concentrated harvesting for processing during its ripening period. Macadamia 695, on the other hand, is a late-maturing variety, harvested in October. With the increasing planting area of ​​macadamia nuts in Guangxi, and the harvest season generally concentrated in September and October, a large amount of manual labor is required for harvesting. Delayed harvesting leads to significant fruit drop. Simultaneously, the increased harvest volume necessitates that macadamia nut processing enterprises work overtime to process the nuts; otherwise, large quantities of fresh nuts will be stored, increasing preservation costs. Improper storage can also cause internal browning of the nuts, affecting their quality and taste.

[0004] Therefore, regulating macadamia nuts according to their different growth characteristics to avoid the large-scale market entry of macadamia nuts in autumn, while also preventing natural fruit drop, is a problem that researchers and growers urgently need to solve and adjust. Summary of the Invention

[0005] To address the above problems, this invention provides a method for simultaneous flowering and fruiting of macadamia nuts. Taking advantage of the low natural fruit drop rate of the macadamia 695 variety, some fruits are harvested during the fruit ripening period in October, while the remainder are left on the branches. Harvesting is then carried out in batches according to market conditions to stagger market entry. Simultaneously, the fruit is used to suppress the sprouting of autumn / winter and spring shoots, promote flower bud differentiation, and reduce the workload of post-harvest pruning.

[0006] This invention is achieved through the following technical solution:

[0007] A method for simultaneous flowering and fruiting of macadamia nuts includes the following steps.

[0008] (1) In September, before the harvest of the 695 macadamia nut variety, apply pre-harvest fertilizer to the tree.

[0009] (2) In October, the 695 macadamia nut variety ripens. 1 / 5 to 1 / 3 of the fruit is harvested from each macadamia nut tree, and the remaining fruit is left on the branches.

[0010] (3) After the fruit is harvested, post-harvest pruning is carried out in October-November. Branches that have not borne fruit in the current year are left unpruned; harvested branches are lightly pruned to ensure that new fruit-bearing branches will sprout in the following year; at the same time, crossing branches, withered branches, diseased and insect-infested branches, and branches drooping close to the ground are removed.

[0011] (4) From November of that year to March of the following year, the remaining 695 macadamia nuts were harvested in batches according to the situation, with the remaining amount of nuts kept within 1 / 4. During the harvest, the branches were pruned at the same time, and the pruning principle was the same as step (2).

[0012] (5) After the post-harvest pruning is completed, before the flower bud differentiation in November, spray the flower-promoting fertilizer to promote flower bud differentiation; the 695 macadamia tree will bloom in March of the following year, achieving simultaneous flowering and fruiting. At this time, all the fruits on the 695 macadamia tree will be harvested; the branches without flower buds will be appropriately pruned back to the base of the fruiting branches, so that all the nutrients can be used to supply the needs of the flowers. Then, continue to cultivate according to the conventional cultivation method, and repeat this process.

[0013] As a preferred technical solution, a fertilization trench is dug 0.5-0.8 meters outside the macadamia tree's base before harvest, and the post-harvest fertilizer is applied into it. Each macadamia tree receives 10-25 kg of organic fertilizer and 1-2 kg of compound fertilizer. Pre-harvest fertilization helps preserve the fruit.

[0014] As a preferred technical solution, the fertilization trench can be either circular or straight.

[0015] As a preferred technical solution, the flowering fertilizer is a liquid fertilizer containing 1-2 g / L of potassium dihydrogen phosphate and 0.3 mg / L of brassinolide.

[0016] As a preferred technical solution, in step (4), 10-25% is harvested every month or every two months, depending on market conditions.

[0017] Compared with the prior art, the beneficial effects of the present invention are as follows:

[0018] (1) This invention utilizes the low natural fruit drop rate of macadamia 695, which is less than 5% under normal planting conditions. Without manual harvesting, the fruit can remain stably attached to the branches, allowing some of the fruit that matures in October to be harvested around March-April of the following year. This avoids the situation where a large number of different macadamia varieties enter the market in autumn, affecting the selling price of macadamia nuts. This allows for spring harvesting and market availability of macadamia nuts, resulting in better market value and reduced preservation costs for fresh fruit.

[0019] (2) In this invention, only a portion of the macadamia nut 695 fruits are harvested in October of the same year, while the majority are retained. Because the nutrients are concentrated on supplying the fruit growth, fewer new shoots are generated, which can inhibit the germination of autumn and winter shoots, reduce the workload of winter shoot pruning after fruit harvest, and simplify the pruning work to a certain extent. Moreover, the pests and diseases are relatively mild in winter, allowing the fruit to overwinter stably. In the following spring, it can also inhibit the growth of spring shoots. With fewer spring shoots, the number of flowers is correspondingly less. The relatively concentrated nutrients can stimulate the differentiation of new flower buds, increase the flowering rate, achieve thinning of flowers and strengthening of flowers, and enable successful flowering and fruiting in the second year.

[0020] (3) In this invention, the 695 macadamia nuts are harvested according to market conditions, which can maximize the economic benefits for growers. Moreover, the delayed harvesting means that the nutritional content and contents of the fruits harvested in batches are not significantly different from those harvested in the same year, and may even be slightly higher. Therefore, the method of this invention can preserve the fruits. Some fruits are retained until March-April of the following year for harvesting, so that the new macadamia inflorescences can continue to be pollinated by bees, and the flowers and fruits can be thinned. The fruits can then be harvested in October of the following year, and this cycle continues. Attached Figure Description

[0021] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram showing the simultaneous flowering and fruiting of the present invention in March of the following year.

[0022] Figure 2 This is a microscopic structure diagram of macadamia nut kernels harvested in October of that year.

[0023] Figure 3 This is a microstructure diagram of macadamia nut kernels harvested in March of the following year. Detailed Implementation

[0024] The present invention will be further described in detail below with reference to specific embodiments, but is not limited to the scope of protection of the present invention.

[0025] Example 1

[0026] A method for simultaneous flowering and fruiting of macadamia nuts includes the following steps.

[0027] (1) In September 2023, a simultaneous flowering and fruiting experiment was conducted on 18 macadamia trees of variety 695 in a macadamia orchard in Longzhou County, Guangxi. Pre-harvest fertilizer was applied to the macadamia trees. A circular fertilizer trench was dug 0.5-0.6 meters outside the macadamia tree basin before harvesting, and post-harvest fertilizer was applied into it. Each macadamia tree was given 20-25 kg of organic fertilizer and 1-2 kg of NPK compound fertilizer.

[0028] (2) In October 2023, during the fruit ripening period, about 20% of the fruits were harvested from each macadamia tree, and the remaining fruits were left on the branches. Fresh fruits harvested in October were sampled, frozen and preserved, and their quality was compared with fruits harvested in March-April of the following year.

[0029] (3) About half a month after the fruit is harvested, in October or November, post-harvest pruning should be carried out. Because macadamia nuts bear fruit on the inner branches, branches that did not bear fruit in the current year have a higher chance of bearing fruit the following year. Therefore, the branches that did not bear fruit in the current year should be retained without pruning. The harvested branches should be lightly pruned to promote the growth of new fruiting branches in the following year. At the same time, all crossing branches, withered branches, diseased and insect-infested branches, and branches drooping close to the ground should be pruned.

[0030] (4) From November 2023 to March 2024, the remaining 695 varieties of macadamia nuts will be harvested in batches, with 10-15% harvested each month, and the final remaining quantity of nuts will be around 25%. Pruning of branches will be carried out simultaneously during harvesting, and the pruning principle is the same as in step (2).

[0031] (5) After post-harvest pruning, before flower bud differentiation in November, spray with a flower-promoting fertilizer to encourage flower bud differentiation. The fertilizer is a liquid fertilizer containing 1-2 g / L potassium dihydrogen phosphate and 0.3 mg / L brassinolide. Flower buds then gradually differentiate, and the 695 macadamia nut variety flowers in mid-to-late March of the following year, achieving simultaneous flowering and fruiting. Figure 1 As shown. At this point, all the fruits on the 695 macadamia tree are harvested, and branches without flower buds are appropriately pruned back to the base of the fruiting twigs, so that all the nutrients are used to supply the needs of the flowers. Then, the tree is cultivated according to the conventional cultivation method.

[0032] Fruits harvested in October 2023 (harvested on time) and fruits harvested at the end of March 2024 (harvested the following year) had their green husks removed, but the kernels were retained. These were then observed under an electron microscope. For example... Figure 2 , 3 As shown in Table 1, the nutritional components were also analyzed and compared.

[0033] Table 1 Comparison of macadamia nut contents at different harvesting periods

[0034]

[0035] Note: The amino acid score is evaluated using the amino acid ratio coefficient method. Amino acid score = essential amino acids / ratio. The higher the amino acid score, the more balanced the nutrition.

[0036] Table 1 shows that there is no significant difference in the nutritional content of macadamia nuts harvested on time and harvested at the same time as flowering and fruiting the following year, indicating that the quality of the nuts is consistently guaranteed. Nuts harvested at the same time as flowering and fruiting have a slightly higher amino acid score than those harvested on time, suggesting a slight advantage of this invention in terms of balanced amino acid nutrition.

[0037] Depend on Figure 2 , 3 The comparison shows that, at the microstructure level, there is no significant difference between fruits harvested on time and those harvested the following year.

[0038] Example 2

[0039] A method for simultaneous flowering and fruiting of macadamia nuts includes the following steps.

[0040] (1) In September 2023, a flowering and fruiting synchronization experiment was conducted on nine 695 macadamia trees in a macadamia orchard in Cenxi, Guangxi. Pre-harvest fertilizer was applied to the 695 macadamia trees. A straight fertilization trench was dug about 0.6-0.8 meters outside the 695 macadamia tree basin, and the post-harvest fertilizer was applied into it. Each macadamia tree was given 15-20 kg of organic fertilizer and 1-2 kg of NPK compound fertilizer.

[0041] (2) In October 2023, during the fruit ripening period, about 30% of the fruits of each macadamia tree will be harvested, and the remaining fruits will be left on the branches.

[0042] (3) About half a month after the fruit is harvested, in October or November, post-harvest pruning should be carried out. Small branches that have not borne fruit in the current year should be left unpruned. The harvested branches should be lightly pruned to promote the growth of new fruit-bearing branches in the following year. At the same time, all crossing branches, withered branches, diseased and insect-infested branches, and branches drooping close to the ground should be pruned.

[0043] (4) From November 2023 to March 2024, the remaining 695 varieties of macadamia nuts will be harvested in batches, with 20-25% harvested every two months, and the final remaining amount of nuts will be around 25%. Pruning of branches will be carried out simultaneously during harvesting, and the pruning principle is the same as in step (2).

[0044] (5) After post-harvest pruning, before flower bud differentiation in November, spray with a flower-promoting fertilizer to promote flower bud differentiation. The flower-promoting fertilizer is a liquid fertilizer containing 1-2 g / L potassium dihydrogen phosphate and 0.3 mg / L brassinolide. Afterwards, flower buds gradually differentiate, and the 695 macadamia tree flowers in mid-to-late March of the following year, achieving simultaneous flowering and fruiting. At this time, all fruits on the 695 macadamia tree are harvested, and branches without flower buds are appropriately pruned back to the base of the fruiting branches, so that all nutrients are used to supply the needs of the flowers. Then, continue cultivation according to conventional methods.

[0045] Comparative Example 1

[0046] Using existing conventional macadamia nut cultivation methods, all fruits of the 695 macadamia nut variety that bore fruit in the same year were harvested, and post-harvest pruning and fertilization were carried out as usual.

[0047] The data from the production experiments of Example 1 and Comparative Example 1 were recorded in Table 2 below:

[0048] Table 2 Records of macadamia nut production under different treatments

[0049]

[0050] Note: During peak production, the yield of a single 695 macadamia nut plant is typically around 40-50 kg. For ease of calculation, we will use an average yield of 45 kg per plant as a benchmark. The selling price of 695 macadamia nuts is usually between 4-4.5 yuan / kg, and when the market supply is low, the price can reach 4.5-5 yuan / kg.

[0051] As can be seen from Table 2 above:

[0052] (1) Under normal planting conditions, the time required for post-harvest pruning in Comparative Example 1 is 24-36 hours per acre. However, the method of the present invention does not require excessive pruning, so the time spent on pruning is reduced to 8-9 hours, and the work efficiency can be increased by 3-4 times.

[0053] (2) The simultaneous flowering and fruiting planting method of the present invention can effectively suppress autumn and winter shoots and reduce the germination of new shoots. The following spring shoots will sprout twice a year in normal planting, but the method of the present invention can reduce the germination of spring shoots to only once, which can effectively promote flower bud differentiation.

[0054] (3) The method of the present invention enables harvesting in batches according to market price conditions, and harvesting is carried out when the market price is high; compared with the economic benefits obtained by harvesting all fruits during the ripening period in Comparative Example 1, the economic benefits per plant can be increased by about 10-15%.

Claims

1. A method for simultaneous planting of macadamia flowers and fruits, characterized in that, Includes the following steps, (1) In September, before the harvest of the 695 macadamia nut variety, apply pre-harvest fertilizer to the tree. (2) In October, the 695 macadamia nut variety ripens. 1 / 5 to 1 / 3 of the fruit is harvested from each macadamia nut tree, and the remaining fruit is left on the branches. (3) After the fruit is harvested, post-harvest pruning is carried out in October-November. Branches that have not borne fruit in the current year are left unpruned; harvested branches are lightly pruned to ensure that new fruit-bearing branches will sprout in the following year; at the same time, crossing branches, withered branches, diseased and insect-infested branches, and branches drooping close to the ground are removed. (4) From November of that year to March of the following year, the remaining 695 macadamia nuts were harvested in batches according to the situation, with the remaining amount of nuts kept within 1 / 4. During the harvest, the branches were pruned at the same time, and the pruning principle was the same as step (2). (5) After the post-harvest pruning is completed, before the flower bud differentiation in November, spray the flower-promoting fertilizer to promote flower bud differentiation; the 695 macadamia tree will bloom in March of the following year, achieving simultaneous flowering and fruiting. At this time, all the fruits on the 695 macadamia tree will be harvested; the branches without flower buds will be appropriately pruned back to the base of the fruiting branches, so that all the nutrients can be used to supply the needs of the flowers. Then, continue to cultivate according to the conventional cultivation method, and repeat this process.

2. The method for simultaneous planting of macadamia flowers and fruits according to claim 1, characterized in that, Before the harvest, a fertilization trench is dug 0.5-0.8 meters outside the macadamia tree basin. After the harvest, the fertilizer is applied into the trench, with 10-25 kg of organic fertilizer and 1-2 kg of compound fertilizer applied to each macadamia tree.

3. The method for simultaneous planting of macadamia flowers and fruits according to claim 2, characterized in that, The fertilization trench can be either circular or straight.

4. The method for simultaneous planting of macadamia flowers and fruits according to claim 1, characterized in that, The flower-promoting fertilizer is a liquid fertilizer containing 1-2 g / L of potassium dihydrogen phosphate and 0.3 mg / L of brassinolide.

5. The method for simultaneous planting of macadamia flowers and fruits according to claim 1, characterized in that, In step (4), 10-25% is harvested every month or every two months, depending on market conditions.

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