Methods for pruning jujube trees and methods for improving jujube orchards

Abstract

This invention relates to a method for pruning jujube trees and a method for transforming jujube orchards, belonging to the field of jujube planting technology. The jujube trees described are those with pre-shaped trunks. The pruning method includes: for jujube trees planted in situ: all main branches and sub-branches below 1 meter in height are removed, leaving only one main trunk; for main trunks above 1 meter in height, a central leader is selected, and secondary branches are evenly distributed around the central leader for pruning, resulting in a spindle-shaped tree; for newly transplanted jujube trees: all main branches and sub-branches below 1 meter in height are removed, leaving only one main trunk; all main branches above 1 meter in height and the central leader are retained and pruned to 10-20 cm in length. The pruning cuts are treated with paint or a special agent to prevent water loss. After the jujube tree shape is successfully shaped according to this invention, only simple pruning and topping are required annually, without bud removal, significantly reducing labor costs. The commercial yield of jujubes using this invention reaches over 85%.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to a method for pruning jujube trees and a method for transforming jujube orchards, belonging to the field of jujube planting technology. Background Technology

[0002] Among jujube varieties, Hotan jujube (Jun jujube) and Ruoqiang grey jujube are the most influential. Hotan jujube has seen rapid development since the promotion of direct seeding for orchard establishment, primarily employing a "dwarf, dense" planting pattern. "Dwarf" refers to plants no taller than 2 meters, and "dense" refers to 110-400 plants per mu (approximately 0.16 acres). Various spacing configurations exist, including 2*3, 4*1, 2*2, and 6*1, with 4*1.5 considered the standard orchard. Currently, Hotan jujube production management suffers from four major shortcomings: First, water conservation and potential tapping are insufficient. Second, manual pruning and bud removal are labor-intensive. Third, quality is not high, with a marketable rate of only about 80% for dried and red jujubes. Fourth, mechanization is low. Currently, besides pesticide application, extensive exploration has been conducted in mechanized harvesting, but due to the diversity of agronomical patterns, mature machinery is still lacking.

[0003] Bud inspection of jujube trees typically refers to the process by which farmers or horticulturalists touch or observe the tender buds of jujube trees during their growth to understand their growth status and determine whether pruning or other management measures are needed. This practice helps maintain the healthy growth of jujube trees and promotes a bountiful harvest. Specifically, bud inspection may include the following aspects: ① Observing bud growth: Checking whether the buds are healthy and free from pests and diseases. ② Determining the developmental stage of the buds: Understanding whether the buds are mature and whether pruning is necessary. ③ Promoting bud growth: Encouraging bud growth through appropriate touching or stimulation. ④ Selectively retaining or removing buds: Selectively retaining or removing some buds based on the jujube tree's growth habits and fruit yield requirements. This is a traditional agricultural management technique that helps improve jujube yield and fruit quality. Currently, almost every branch is pruned in jujube orchards, and bud inspection is performed 7-8 times, sometimes up to 10 times, resulting in very high labor costs.

[0004] Currently, the marketability rate of dried jujubes and red dates in jujube orchards is only 75% (marketability rate refers to the proportion of red dates with a grade of 3 or above; grade 3 dates have a longitudinal diameter of 3.5-3.9 cm and a transverse diameter of 2.0-2.6 cm). How to further improve the quality of red dates and increase their marketability rate is a problem that this field has been eager to solve.

[0005] Currently, Hotan jujubes are mainly sold dried. The harvesting method involves: after a severe frost and all the leaves have fallen, the jujubes are left to air dry on the branches, then manually knocked to the ground with sticks, and finally picked up one by one. Research on mechanized jujube harvesting has been conducted for many years, and two solutions have been developed: One is a straddle-type harvester that harvests one row at a time. However, this machine has not been widely adopted due to its large size, complexity, and low efficiency; the inability to pick up fallen jujubes; and its incompatibility with the agronomical structure of jujube orchards. The second solution is a vacuum-type harvester. After all the jujubes have been knocked to the ground, they are harvested using a vacuum cleaner principle. This machine is relatively simple and has been demonstrated to some extent. Its main drawback is low efficiency; to improve efficiency, the fallen jujubes must first be piled up. Summary of the Invention

[0006] The first objective of this invention is to provide a method for pruning jujube trees.

[0007] To achieve the first objective of this invention, the jujube tree is a jujube tree with a pre-shaped form, and the jujube tree pruning method includes:

[0008] For jujube trees planted in situ: remove all main branches and sub-branches with a trunk height of less than 1 meter, leaving only one main trunk; for main trunks with a height of more than 1 meter, select a central trunk and prune secondary branches evenly around the central trunk to form a spindle shape.

[0009] For newly transplanted jujube trees: remove all main branches and sub-branches below 1 meter in height, leaving only one main trunk; retain all main branches and central trunk above 1 meter in height and prune them to 10-20 cm in length.

[0010] The cut surfaces are treated with paint or a special agent to prevent moisture from drying out.

[0011] Specialized agents for preventing moisture loss can include healing agents, healing agents containing bactericides, healing agents containing insecticides, and healing agents containing both bactericides and insecticides.

[0012] In one specific embodiment, the method involves pruning the jujube trees only once a year without removing the buds; preferably, the pruning is carried out after the soil thaws and before the buds sprout.

[0013] In one specific embodiment, the shaping of the jujube tree includes pruning, branch pulling, and topping twice.

[0014] In one specific embodiment, the standard spacing between the rows of jujube trees is 4 meters * 2 meters;

[0015] The preferred jujube tree is the Junzao variety.

[0016] The second objective of this invention is to provide a method for transforming jujube orchards.

[0017] To achieve the second objective of the present invention, the jujube orchard renovation method includes:

[0018] A. Density Reduction and Replanting: Density reduction refers to removing overly dense jujube trees, those without a main trunk, and those not planted in the same row according to the standard of 4 meters * 2 meters spacing. Replanting refers to transplanting according to the standard of 4 meters * 2 meters spacing. The preferred transplanting standard is as follows: dig a tree pit 1 meter deep and about 1 meter in diameter, apply 20 kg of organic fertilizer to each pit, then backfill with 20 cm of soil. After pruning the root plate of the jujube tree to be transplanted, plant it in the pit, backfill the soil and tamp it down. Finally, make a small circular embankment around the trunk and water immediately. Water each tree with 80-100 kg of water each time, once every 10 days, for three consecutive times. For jujube trees with weak growth and poor root system, add plant nutrient solution before budding.

[0019] After 3 to 5 years of improvement, thinning should be carried out to adjust the average spacing between plants and rows to 4 meters * 4 meters or 8 meters * 2 meters.

[0020] B. Pruning: Prune using the methods described above;

[0021] Preferably, the pruning or transplanting is carried out after the soil has thawed and before the jujube trees sprout.

[0022] When digging up the tree, be careful not to damage the main trunk of the jujube tree with the digging bucket, and try to keep the root ball of the jujube tree as large as possible for transplanting.

[0023] For trees with weak growth and poor root systems, add plant nutrient solution before budding. This will increase the survival rate to 99%, and the trees can bear fruit normally the following year.

[0024] In one specific embodiment, the method further includes:

[0025] C. Ridge making: Take soil 80 cm from both sides of the jujube tree row to form an inverted "V" shaped ridge along the jujube tree row, with a ridge height of 55-60 cm.

[0026] Note: The ridge surface should be flat and compacted, and the top of the ridge should be pointed.

[0027] In one specific embodiment, the method further includes:

[0028] D. Fertilization: Set up a large trench 20-30 cm deep at the bottom of the ridge surface, apply fertilizer in the trench, and then cover the fertilizer surface with soil to form a small trench 10-15 cm deep. Lay two drip irrigation tapes in the small trench. Preferably, apply 2-3 cubic meters of organic fertilizer and 50-55 kg of compound fertilizer per mu in the large trench.

[0029] In one specific embodiment, the method further includes:

[0030] E. Covering with ground cover: Cover the entire surface of the ridge with a ground cover that covers the furrow where the drip irrigation tape is laid.

[0031] In one specific embodiment, the method further includes setting a trunk insect control structure disclosed in utility model patent application number 202321422232.7 at a height of 80-100 cm on the main trunk of the jujube tree.

[0032] In one specific embodiment, the method further includes

[0033] Erect an aerial irrigation pipe: Erect an irrigation pipe with a diameter of 20-25 cm at a height of 80-100 cm on the main trunk of the jujube tree. Insert a flow stabilizer into the irrigation pipe near the trunk of the jujube tree. Connect 3 / 5 of the capillary tube to the end of the flow stabilizer and insert the capillary tube from above into the gap between the trunk and the trunk reptile control structure.

[0034] The jujube orchard is preferably located in Hotan region of Xinjiang.

[0035] A 3 / 5 capillary refers to a capillary with an inner diameter of 3mm and an outer diameter of 5mm.

[0036] Beneficial effects:

[0037] 1. After the jujube tree shape is successfully shaped according to the present invention, only simple pruning and topping work is required every year, without bud removal, which greatly reduces labor costs.

[0038] 2. This invention achieves a yield of over 900 kg of dried jujubes per mu (approximately 0.067 hectares), with a marketable jujube rate exceeding 85%. While maintaining a high yield, the product quality is also high. The high marketable rate is due to two main reasons: First, pruning. The pruning method of this invention creates a reasonable leaf-to-fruit ratio, ensuring a balanced supply of nutrients. Although this is not ideal for producing large jujubes (premium grade), the jujubes exhibit less individual variation and have higher dry matter content, thus resulting in a high marketable rate. Second, the irrigation method of this invention allows for the development of lateral root systems in the jujube trees, achieving balanced water and fertilizer management.

[0039] The high yield is mainly due to two factors: First, the tree canopy is different. Although the number of trees per mu is reduced by 1-2 times in this invention, the number of fruiting branches is increased by about 5 times. Second, the irrigation method of this invention has a well-developed lateral root system for jujube trees, which achieves balanced water and fertilizer management.

[0040] 3. The method of the present invention forms an inverted "V" shaped ridge along the jujube trees. After the jujubes fall to the ground, they are easy to accumulate on the edge of the inverted "V" shaped ridge, which is conducive to mechanical harvesting. Attached Figure Description

[0041] Figure 1 Photos of tree removal and density reduction during jujube orchard renovation;

[0042] Figure 2 Photos of the jujube orchard renovation and transplantation;

[0043] Figure 3 Set up photos of tree trunk crawling insect control structures;

[0044] Figure 4 Photos of furrow fertilization;

[0045] Figure 5 Photo of aerial irrigation pipe installation;

[0046] Figure 6 Photograph of inverted V-shaped ridges;

[0047] Figure 7 Photos of aerial irrigation pipes and flow stabilizers, capillary tubes, and structures for controlling tree trunk reptiles;

[0048] Figure 8 Compare with the overall photo of the garden;

[0049] Figure 9 Compare photos of the garden being watered;

[0050] Figure 10 Compare with individual orchard specimens. Detailed Implementation

[0051] To achieve the first objective of this invention, the jujube tree is a jujube tree with a pre-shaped form, and the jujube tree pruning method includes:

[0052] For jujube trees planted in situ: remove all main branches and sub-branches with a trunk height of less than 1 meter, leaving only one main trunk; for main trunks with a height of more than 1 meter, select a central trunk and prune secondary branches evenly around the central trunk to form a spindle shape.

[0053] For newly transplanted jujube trees: remove all main branches and sub-branches below 1 meter in height, leaving only one main trunk; retain all main branches and central trunk above 1 meter in height and prune them to 10-20 cm in length.

[0054] The cut surfaces are treated with paint or a special agent to prevent moisture from drying out.

[0055] Specialized agents for preventing moisture loss can include healing agents, healing agents containing bactericides, healing agents containing insecticides, and healing agents containing both bactericides and insecticides.

[0056] In one specific embodiment, the method involves pruning the jujube trees only once a year without removing the buds; preferably, the pruning is carried out after the soil thaws and before the buds sprout.

[0057] In one specific embodiment, the shaping of the jujube tree includes pruning, branch pulling, and topping twice.

[0058] In one specific embodiment, the standard spacing between the rows of jujube trees is 4 meters * 2 meters;

[0059] The preferred jujube tree is the Junzao variety.

[0060] The second objective of this invention is to provide a method for transforming jujube orchards.

[0061] To achieve the second objective of the present invention, the jujube orchard renovation method includes:

[0062] A. Density Reduction and Replanting: Density reduction refers to removing overly dense jujube trees, those without a main trunk, and those not planted in the same row according to the standard of 4 meters * 2 meters spacing. Replanting refers to transplanting according to the standard of 4 meters * 2 meters spacing. The preferred transplanting standard is as follows: dig a tree pit 1 meter deep and about 1 meter in diameter, apply 20 kg of organic fertilizer to each pit, then backfill with 20 cm of soil. After pruning the root plate of the jujube tree to be transplanted, plant it in the pit, backfill the soil and tamp it down. Finally, make a small circular embankment around the trunk and water immediately. Water each tree with 80-100 kg of water each time, once every 10 days, for three consecutive times. For jujube trees with weak growth and poor root system, add plant nutrient solution before budding.

[0063] After 3 to 5 years of improvement, thinning should be carried out to adjust the average spacing between plants and rows to 4 meters * 4 meters or 8 meters * 2 meters.

[0064] B. Pruning: Prune using the methods described above;

[0065] Preferably, the pruning or transplanting is carried out after the soil has thawed and before the jujube trees sprout.

[0066] When digging up the tree, be careful not to damage the main trunk of the jujube tree with the digging bucket, and try to keep the root ball of the jujube tree as large as possible for transplanting.

[0067] For trees with weak growth and poor root systems, add plant nutrient solution before budding. This will increase the survival rate to 99%, and the trees can bear fruit normally the following year.

[0068] In one specific embodiment, the method further includes:

[0069] C. Ridge making: Take soil 80 cm from both sides of the jujube tree row to form an inverted "V" shaped ridge along the jujube tree row, with a ridge height of 55-60 cm.

[0070] Note: The ridge surface should be flat and compacted, and the top of the ridge should be pointed.

[0071] In one specific embodiment, the method further includes:

[0072] D. Fertilization: Set up a large trench 20-30 cm deep at the bottom of the ridge surface, apply fertilizer in the trench, and then cover the fertilizer surface with soil to form a small trench 10-15 cm deep. Lay two drip irrigation tapes in the small trench. Preferably, apply 2-3 cubic meters of organic fertilizer and 50-55 kg of compound fertilizer per mu in the large trench.

[0073] In one specific embodiment, the method further includes:

[0074] E. Covering with ground cover: Cover the entire surface of the ridge with a ground cover that covers the furrow where the drip irrigation tape is laid.

[0075] In one specific embodiment, the method further includes setting a trunk insect control structure disclosed in utility model patent application number 202321422232.7 at a height of 80-100 cm on the main trunk of the jujube tree.

[0076] In one specific embodiment, the method further includes

[0077] Erect an aerial irrigation pipe: Erect an irrigation pipe with a diameter of 20-25 cm at a height of 80-100 cm on the main trunk of the jujube tree. Insert a flow stabilizer into the irrigation pipe near the trunk of the jujube tree. Connect 3 / 5 of the capillary tube to the end of the flow stabilizer and insert the capillary tube from above into the gap between the trunk and the trunk reptile control structure.

[0078] The jujube orchard is preferably located in Hotan region of Xinjiang.

[0079] The specific embodiments of the present invention will be further described below with reference to examples, but the present invention is not limited to the scope of the embodiments described herein.

[0080] Example 1

[0081] Transforming old jujube orchards in Hotan region of Xinjiang, such as Figure 1-7As shown, the first step is to reduce density and replant: Using a small excavator, remove overly dense, trunkless, or misaligned jujube trees at a spacing of approximately 4 meters by 2 meters, adhering to the principle of keeping the strong and removing the weak. When digging, be careful not to damage the trunk of the jujube tree with the excavator bucket, and try to keep the root ball as large as possible for transplanting. Simultaneously, transplant the trees at a spacing of approximately 4 meters by 2 meters. Transplanting standards: Dig a pit 1 meter deep and about 1 meter in diameter. First, apply 20 kg of organic fertilizer to each pit, then backfill with 20 cm of soil. Trim the root ball of the jujube tree to be transplanted and insert it into the pit, tamping the soil down as you backfill. Finally, build a small circular embankment around the trunk and water immediately, using at least 100 kg of water per tree, watering every 10 days for three consecutive times. For trees with weak growth and poor root systems, add a plant nutrient solution before bud break. This method achieves a 99% survival rate, and the trees can bear fruit normally in the second year. Step Two: Pruning: For selected jujube trees, remove all main branches and sub-branches below 1 meter from the trunk, leaving only one main trunk. Above the main trunk, select a central leader and prune secondary branches evenly around it, resulting in a roughly spindle-shaped tree. For transplanted jujube trees, remove all main branches and sub-branches below 1 meter from the trunk. Remove all main branches and the central leader above the trunk, leaving a length of 10-20 cm. Treat the cut surfaces with a healing agent to prevent water loss. Step Three: Ridging: Take soil 80 cm from each side of the jujube tree row to form an inverted "V" shaped ridge, 60 cm high. Note: The ridge surface should be flat, compacted, and the ridge top should be pointed. Step Four: Fertilizing: Dig a 30 cm deep trench at the bottom of the ridge. Apply 2 cubic meters of organic fertilizer per acre and 50 kg of compound fertilizer per acre in the trench. Cover the fertilizer surface with a shallow layer of soil, forming a 15 cm deep trench. Lay two drip irrigation tapes in the trench. Step 5: Lay the ground cover: Cover the entire raised bed with two strips of ground cover, ensuring the width of the ground cover covers the drip irrigation trench. Step 6: Secure the sponge: Cut 2cm thick sponge into 10cm strips and wrap them around the jujube tree trunk approximately 80cm from the top. Secure them with two plastic straps at the top and bottom, being careful not to tie them too tightly. Then apply a layer of machine grease to the sponge. Step 7: Install an aerial irrigation pipe: Install a 25cm diameter PE pipe 80-100cm from the jujube tree trunk. Insert a flow stabilizer into the PE pipe near the trunk, and connect a 3 / 5 capillary tube to the end of the flow stabilizer. Insert the capillary tube from above into the gap between the trunk and the sponge.

[0082] In mid-March and early July, irrigate with two underground drip irrigation tapes, each time using 100 cubic meters of water per mu (approximately 667 square meters). At other times, use overhead irrigation pipes, irrigating once every 5 days for a total of 20 times, with 5 cubic meters of water per mu each time. Alternatively, the irrigation with the two underground drip irrigation tapes in mid-March and early July can be divided into 4 irrigations, each using 50 cubic meters of water, and completed in late October as a single autumn irrigation.

[0083] Pest and disease control: Tying sponges and applying butter can prevent pests from climbing trees. One flow stabilizer should be installed per tree, with a flow rate of 2-8 L / h, allowing for precise watering down to the liter. Simultaneously, due to the sponge's absorbency, the dripping water will flow down the entire trunk and directly to the roots. This increases the trunk's water and fertilizer absorption, and also thoroughly eliminates pests under the bark of older trees, which are difficult to eradicate completely with regular pesticides.

[0084] To shape the tree, pruning, branch training, and two rounds of topping can be performed. Once the tree shape is successfully shaped, only simple pruning and topping are needed annually; bud removal is not required!

[0085] The method for harvesting jujubes is as follows: After the first frost, when all the leaves have fallen, the jujubes are left to dry on the branches. They are then manually knocked to the ground with sticks. Once on the ground, the jujubes tend to accumulate along the edges of the inverted "V"-shaped ridges, where they can be easily harvested using a dust-collecting harvester.

[0086] The experiment covered an area of ​​100 mu (approximately 6.7 hectares) of jujube trees, with a yield of 902.8 kg of dried jujubes per mu and a marketable rate of 90.2% for red jujubes.

[0087] Comparative Example 1

[0088] Some old jujube orchards in Hotan Prefecture, Xinjiang, have been preserved without renovation, such as... Figure 8-10 As shown, instead of creating inverted "V" shaped ridges, two drip irrigation tapes were laid directly on the flat ground.

[0089] The irrigation method is as follows: a drip irrigation tape is laid 80-100 cm away from each side of the jujube tree row. The normal irrigation is set to about 12 times during the entire growth period of the jujube trees, with about 40 cubic meters each time. The total water volume per mu during the growth period is set to be 500 cubic meters.

[0090] When pruning jujube orchards, almost every branch needs to be moved, and the bud-checking work needs to be carried out 7-8 times, and sometimes up to 10 times.

[0091] The method for harvesting jujubes is as follows: after the first frost, when all the leaves have fallen, the jujubes are left to dry on the branches. They are then manually knocked to the ground with sticks and picked up one by one by hand, as mechanical harvesting is not convenient.

[0092] The experiment covered an area of ​​50 mu (approximately 3.3 hectares) of jujube trees, with a yield of 496.6 kg and a marketable jujube rate of 75.4%.

Claims

1. A method for renovating a jujube garden, characterized by, The red jujube garden reconstruction method comprises: A. Density reduction and replanting: the density reduction is to dig out all the jujube trees that are too dense, have no main stem, and are not in the same planting row according to the standard of 4m*2m plant spacing; the replanting is to transplant according to the standard of 4m*2m plant spacing; the standard of the transplanting is: a tree pit with a depth of 1m and a diameter of about 1m, 20kg of organic fertilizer is applied in each pit first, then 20cm thick soil is backfilled, the red jujube tree root disc to be transplanted is trimmed and planted in the pit, the soil is backfilled and tamped at the same time, finally a small circular ridge is punched around the tree trunk, immediately water is poured, 80-100kg of water is poured for each tree each time, watering is performed once every 10 days, and the pouring is performed for three times, for the red jujube trees with weak tree vigor and poor root system, plant nutrient solution is hung before budding; The reconstruction is performed for 3-5 years, then thinning is performed, and the plant spacing is adjusted to 4m*4m or 8m*2m on average; B. Pruning: the red jujube tree is a red jujube tree with a shaped tree form, and the red jujube tree pruning method comprises: For the in-situ planted red jujube tree: the main branches and branches with a height of less than 1m of the main stem are all removed, only one main stem is left; for the main stem with a height of more than 1m, a center stem is selected, and the secondary branches are pruned to be evenly distributed around the center stem, and the tree body is in a spindle type; For the newly transplanted red jujube tree: the main branches and branches with a height of less than 1m of the main stem are all removed, only one main stem is left; for the main stem with a height of more than 1m, the main branches and the center stem are all left and pruned to be 10-20cm long, and all the pruning incisions are treated with paint or special agent for preventing water loss; The pruning or transplanting is performed after the soil is thawed and before the jujube tree sprouts; The method further comprises Erecting an aerial irrigation pipe: a 20-25mm-diameter irrigation pipe is erected at a height of 80-100cm of the jujube tree trunk, the irrigation pipe is inserted into a flow stabilizer near the jujube tree trunk, the flow stabilizer is connected with 3 / 5 of a capillary tube, a tree trunk crawler control structure is arranged at the height of 80-100cm of the jujube tree trunk, and the capillary tube is inserted into the gap between the tree trunk and the tree trunk crawler control structure from above.

2. The method for reconstructing a jujube garden according to claim 1, wherein, The method performs red jujube tree pruning only once a year, and does not touch the buds.

3. The method for reconstructing a jujube garden according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, The red jujube tree shaping comprises pruning, branch pulling, and twice topping.

4. The method for reconstructing a jujube garden according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, The red jujube tree is Junjujube.

5. The method for reconstructing a jujube garden according to claim 1, characterized in that, The method further comprises: C. Raising a ridge: soil is taken from both sides of the jujube tree row at a position of 80cm, a ridge in an inverted V shape along the jujube tree row is formed, and the ridge height is 55-60cm.

6. The method for transforming a jujube garden according to claim 5, characterized in that, The method further comprises: D. Fertilization: a 20-30cm-deep large ditch is arranged at the bottom of the ridge surface of the ridge, fertilizer is applied in the large ditch, and then a small ditch with a depth of 10-15cm is formed on the surface of the fertilizer after the fertilizer is covered with soil, and two drip irrigation belts are arranged in the small ditch.

7. The method for reconstructing a jujube garden according to claim 5, wherein, The organic fertilizer applied in the large ditch is 2-3 cubic meters per mu, and the ternary compound fertilizer is 50-55kg per mu.

8. The method for transforming a jujube garden according to claim 7, characterized in that, The method further comprises: E. Laying a cloth: the ridge surface of the ridge is covered with a grass-preventing cloth, and the width of the cloth covers the small ditch in which the drip irrigation belt is arranged.

9. The method of claim 1, wherein the red date garden is a garden in which red dates are grown. The red jujube garden is in the Hotan region of Xinjiang.

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