A method for sowing and raising seedlings of Hamamelis chinensis

Abstract

The present invention belongs to the field of plant seedling cultivation, and specifically relates to a method for sowing and raising seedlings of Hamamelis chinensis, which specifically includes: collecting seeds from mid-September to early October; removing impurities from the seeds and drying them in the shade until the moisture content of the seeds is 8% to 10%; storing the seeds in sand over the winter by dynamically controlling the humidity and adopting the "sand-seed-sand" stratification method, and turning and disinfecting the seeds multiple times during the sand storage period; sowing the seeds when the germination rate reaches 20% to 30% in the following year, and covering them with fine soil and hay; gradually removing the hay during the period when the cotyledons of 20% to 30% emerge and unfold, and carrying out conventional seedling management. The emergence rate of Hamamelis chinensis cultivated using the method provided by the present invention can reach 80% to 85%, and the seedling survival rate can reach 95% to 98%. ， The seedlings are robust and have strong adaptability to the environment. At the same time, the method is simple to operate, easy to master and has low cost, and has important practical significance for the resource protection, scientific research and development and utilization of the Hamamelis species.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The invention belongs to the field of plant seedling cultivation, and particularly relates to a Hamamelis argyi seedling cultivation method. Background Art

[0002] Shaniodendron subaequale is a deciduous tree or small tree of the genus Shaniodendron in the family Hamamelidaceae. Shaniodendron subaequale was discovered in the late 1950s. As one of the oldest species of angiosperms, along with Ginkgo and Metasequoia, it is now included in the list of endangered plants under national key protection and is a national first-class protected tree species. Shaniodendron subaequale has a head-shaped inflorescence, with ovate or broadly ovate bracts, a shallow cup-shaped calyx tube with wavy and blunt-toothed edges, no petals, 5-15 stamens, and slender, thread-like filaments that hang down, hence the name "silver thread". The fruit is a capsule, and the seeds are spindle-shaped, the size of rice grains, about 3-4mm long, pointed at both ends, shiny brown, and with a light yellow hilum. Wild populations of Shaniodendron subaequale are distributed in the Dabie Mountain area of ​​Anhui, Zhejiang, Henan, Chongqing, the Huangshan Mountain area north of Tianmu Mountain, and the Yili Mountain area in southern Jiangsu.

[0003] Due to the narrow distribution area of ​​​​Witch Hazel, there are very few existing plants, and it blooms only once every few years, which has led to the extinction of Witch Hazel. Therefore, artificial breeding technology is urgently needed to improve the germination rate and emergence rate of Witch Hazel seeds to strengthen the protection of Witch Hazel germplasm resources. There are few methods in the existing technology for improving the emergence rate and survival rate of Witch Hazel seeds. There are reports that gibberellin can be used to treat seeds to break the endogenous dormancy of Witch Hazel seeds, but artificially breaking the endogenous dormancy of seeds may affect the survival rate of seedlings. In addition, the problems of inaccurate grasp of the maturity of the collected seeds, easy mildew of seeds during low-temperature storage, and low success rate of seedling cultivation in traditional Witch Hazel sowing and seedling cultivation also need to be solved urgently. Summary of the Invention

[0004] In order to solve the above technical problems, the present invention provides a method for sowing and raising seedlings of witch hazel. The emergence rate of witch hazel cultivated by the method provided by the present invention can reach 80% to 85%, the seedling survival rate can reach 95% to 98%, and the seedlings are strong and have strong adaptability to environmental growth.

[0005] The present invention provides a method for sowing and raising seedlings of Hamamelis chinensis, comprising the following steps:

[0006] Seed collection: The harvest of Hamamelis seeds should be completed from mid-September to early October each year;

[0007] Seed treatment: remove impurities and dry in the shade until the moisture content of the seeds is 8% to 10%;

[0008] Seed storage: Use the "sand-seed-sand" stratification method to store disinfected seeds in sand for the winter; control the relative humidity of the sand storage at 15%-20% in the first month, 21%-25% from the second month to the beginning of the third month, and 30%-50% in the later stage of sand storage; turn the seeds over and disinfect during the sand storage period;

[0009] Sowing: When the germination rate of seeds reaches 20% to 30% in the next year, sow the seeds on the seedbed and then cover them with fine soil and hay in turn;

[0010] Seedling management: When the cotyledons of 20% to 30% of the seedlings have unfolded, remove the hay one by one and carry out seedling management.

[0011] Furthermore, the seed collection time is early October every year.

[0012] Furthermore, the lamination method is:

[0013] Spread the sterilized seeds flat on 5-8 cm thick sterilized river sand, and then cover with 3-4 cm thick sterilized river sand.

[0014] Furthermore, the seed storage replanting and disinfection method is as follows:

[0015] The seeds stored in sand were taken out, river sand on the surface of the seeds was removed, and the seeds were disinfected by soaking them in 0.3g / L to 0.5g / L potassium permanganate solution for 30 to 40 minutes. The disinfected seeds were re-stored in sand according to the stratification method.

[0016] Furthermore, during the storage period of the seeds, they are replanted and disinfected once a month.

[0017] Furthermore, the sand storage temperature is 6-10°C.

[0018] Furthermore, the relative humidity of river sand is controlled at 20% in the first month, and at 25% from the second month to the beginning of the third month.

[0019] Furthermore, the seedbed is a seedbed in which 140-160 kg of cake fertilizer, 8-12 kg of plant iron supplement and 2-3 kg of organophosphorus insecticide are applied per mu.

[0020] Preferably, the seedbed is a seedbed applied with 150 kg of cake fertilizer, 10 kg of plant iron supplement and 3 kg of organophosphorus insecticide per mu.

[0021] Furthermore, the cake fertilizer is decomposed rapeseed cake, bean cake, sesame cake, peanut cake or cottonseed cake.

[0022] Furthermore, the plant iron supplement is preferably ferrous sulfate, and the organophosphorus insecticide is preferably crystalline trichlorfon.

[0023] Furthermore, the seedling management also includes: spraying fungicide after the weeding is completed, applying nitrogen fertilizer during the rapid growth period of the seedlings, and spraying potassium dihydrogen phosphate in late September.

[0024] Furthermore, the fungicide is preferably carbendazim, the nitrogen fertilizer is preferably urea foliar fertilizer, and the phosphorus and potassium fertilizer is preferably potassium dihydrogen phosphate.

[0025] In summary, compared with the prior art, the present invention has the following advantages and effects:

[0026] (1) The present invention provides a method for sowing and raising seedlings of Hamamelis argyi, including seed collection, seed treatment, seed storage, seedbed preparation, sowing, and seedling management. Through the sowing and raising seedling method provided by the present invention, the germination rate of Hamamelis argyi seeds can be increased to 80% to 85%, the survival rate of seedlings can reach 95% to 98%, and the Hamamelis argyi seedlings grow strong and have strong vitality. The method of the present invention has the characteristics of simple operation, easy mastery, and low cost. Hamamelis argyi is extremely rare to bloom, and blooms about once every 2 to 5 years. The seed source of Hamamelis argyi, a rare and endangered plant, is very precious. The present invention has important practical significance for the resource protection, scientific research, and development and utilization of Hamamelis argyi species.

[0027] (2) In the method of the present invention, the seed collection time is from mid-September to early October. During this period, the fruit has turned yellow, the outer seed coat of the fruit has partially cracked, the seeds are dark brown, the size of rice grains, the seeds are relatively mature, contain rich nutrients, are of good quality, and are suitable for collection for reproduction. When the seed collection time is too early, the seeds collected are less plump, the seeds are not fully mature, the germination rate and the seedling survival rate are low, and rare seed sources will be wasted. If the seed collection time is later than the disclosed time of the present invention, the fruit of the witch hazel will mature and crack, and the seeds will automatically fall out and scatter on the ground, be eaten by animals or blown away by the wind, and it will be impossible to collect enough seeds. At the same time, in the later stage of seed maturity, the seeds will be empty and the seed quality will also decline.

[0028] (3) The method of the present invention adopts dynamic humidity treatment, which can ensure the germination rate of Hamamelis seeds and ensure safe wintering. The reasons are as follows: first, the low-temperature layered sand storage method is adopted in the early stage. The low temperature and low humidity environment can temporarily force the seeds into a forced dormant state, maintaining their weak life activities, and the "sand-seed-sand" layered sand storage method is adopted to avoid CO2 poisoning and mold and deterioration caused by lack of ventilation during seed storage. The disinfected river sand has a certain water content and oxygen content, which is the key to maintaining the life activities of seeds and the permeability of seed coats. If the temperature and humidity are high, the activity of microorganisms will increase, leading to mildew. Therefore, repeated disinfection and layering treatment are adopted in this method to prevent mildew. Second, the humidity is increased in the later stage, which is conducive to germination.

[0029] (4) Adequate nutrient supply is the key to ensuring strong seedlings. The method of the present invention can effectively improve the seed germination rate of Hamamelis chinensis, the survival rate of seedlings and the number of strong seedlings by applying sufficient base fertilizer to the seedbed during sowing and seedling raising, covering the seeds with fine soil and hay after sowing, and sterilizing the seedlings, etc., and combining with the cooperation of topdressing in the later stage. This is mainly because, firstly, in the sowing and cultivation stage, sufficient nutrient supply and healthy soil can provide a good environment for seedlings to germinate and grow, and are not prone to pests and diseases and root poisoning. The content of quick-acting nutrients in the decomposed cake fertilizer is high, which is conducive to the absorption of Hamamelis chinensis. Secondly, covering with fine soil can fill the gap between the seeds and the soil of the sowing hole, so that the seeds are in close contact with the soil, which is conducive to the water absorption and root growth of the Hamamelis chinensis seeds. Covering with hay and removing the hay in time are beneficial to ensuring the temperature during seed germination and neat emergence of seedlings, and are also beneficial to eliminating the adverse effects of grass on seedling bending, shading, etc. Third, if the temperature and humidity are high during the grass covering period, it may cause the breeding of pathogens, so fungicides should be sprayed in time to eliminate hidden dangers; during the entire rapid growth period of seedlings, since seedlings require a large amount of nutrients for growth, nitrogen fertilizers should be applied multiple times during this period, and in the later stage of seedling growth, it is necessary to promote seedling lignification, reduce the application of nitrogen fertilizers and increase the application of phosphorus and potassium fertilizers, promote root growth, and prepare for leaf shedding for wintering. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0030] In order to enable those skilled in the art to better understand and implement the technical solution of the present invention, the present invention is further described below with reference to specific embodiments.

[0031] In the description of the present invention, unless otherwise specified, all reagents used are commercially available and all methods used are conventional techniques in the art.

[0032] The Hamamelis argyi seeds in the embodiment of the present invention are taken from the Hamamelis argyi mother trees in the Tianma National Nature Reserve in Jinzhai, Anhui Province.

[0033] The Chinese Hamamelis argentea, a nationally protected species, is endangered due to its limited distribution, extremely few extant plants, and flowering only once every few years. Therefore, artificial propagation measures are urgently needed. Currently, there are few reports on the sowing and seedling cultivation of Chinese Hamamelis argentea. Current problems with sowing and seedling cultivation of Chinese Hamamelis argentea include the tendency of seeds to mold during low-temperature storage, inaccurate assessment of seed maturity, and low seedling success rates, which need to be addressed urgently.

[0034] The present invention provides a method for sowing and raising seedlings of Hamamelis chinensis, which specifically includes first completing the harvesting of Hamamelis chinensis seeds from mid-September to early October each year, then removing impurities from the harvested seeds, drying in the shade until the moisture content of the seeds is 8% to 10%, then dynamically controlling the humidity and adopting a "sand-seed-sand" stratification method to store the seeds in sand for the winter, turning over and disinfecting them multiple times during the sand storage period, sowing the seeds on the seedbed when the seed germination rate reaches 20% to 30% the following year, and then covering them with fine soil and hay in sequence, and finally gradually removing the hay when 20% to 30% of the seedlings emerge and the cotyledons unfold, and performing conventional seedling management. The Hamamelis chinensis seedling emergence rate cultivated by the method provided by the present invention can reach 80% to 85%, the seedling survival rate can reach 95% to 98%, the seedlings are strong, and the growth adaptability is strong.

[0035] Example 1

[0036] A method for sowing and raising seedlings of Hamamelis chinensis, comprising the following steps:

[0037] S1. Seed Collection

[0038] Pick the witch hazel berries in early October.

[0039] S2. Seed treatment

[0040] The harvested fruits are spread out in low light outdoors to dry, turning them while drying until they are completely cracked and the seeds fall out. The seed shells and impurities are removed manually, and the seeds are placed in cloth bags and hung to dry indoors in the shade until the moisture content is 9%, removing moisture from the surface and interior of the seeds.

[0041] S3. Seed storage

[0042] The seeds that have been cleaned and dried in the shade are stored in sand in early January of the following year at a temperature of 8°C.

[0043] (1) River sand treatment: Disinfect the filtered river sand with 1g / L potassium permanganate solution.

[0044] (2) Seed treatment: Soak the seeds in 0.5 g / L potassium permanganate solution for 0.5 h.

[0045] (3) Burying the seeds: Spread the river sand evenly on the ground. Spread a layer of river sand with a thickness of 6 cm from step (1). Then spread a layer of seeds on the river sand. Cover with river sand with a thickness of 4 cm from step (1). Control the relative humidity of the river sand to 20% in the first month of storage, 25% in the second month to the beginning of the third month, and 40% in the later stage of storage. Observe the seeds frequently to prevent them from drying out and becoming moldy.

[0046] (4) Turning over the seeds: Turn over the seeds once a month to release the carbon dioxide and other gases produced by the seeds’ respiration. Use a rice sieve to remove the river sand on the surface of the seeds. Disinfect them with 0.5g / L potassium permanganate and then store them in sand again.

[0047] S4. Seeding

[0048] Choose a nursery with flat terrain, good drainage, and sandy loam with a pH of 6.1. Start land preparation in mid-February, plowing and harrowing at least twice to break up the soil clods and level the nursery. Dig a good ditch system to ensure smooth drainage and irrigation. Apply 150kg of decomposed cake fertilizer per mu as base fertilizer, and apply 10kg of ferrous sulfate and 3kg of 90% crystalline dichlorvos for soil disinfection and killing soil pests. The bed should be oriented north-south to facilitate the growth and light of the witch hazel. The bed should be 25cm high and 1.2m wide, with the middle slightly higher than the two sides to facilitate drainage. Because the witch hazel seeds are small, the bed surface must be flat.

[0049] When sowing, first spray the bed with water to moisten it. Evenly spread seeds with a 25% germination rate on the bed. Because the seeds of Hamamelis chinensis are relatively small, cover them evenly with finely crushed loess soil to a thickness of 2mm. Then, cover them with 5mm of hay to retain heat and moisture, facilitating seedling growth. Water thoroughly to keep the bed moist and to prevent the hay from blowing away. Compact the hay with branches or other similar materials. Fence the nursery field to prevent damage by humans and animals. [The following appears unrelated and likely a mistranslation:]

[0050] S5. Seedling Management

[0051] Seven days after sowing, begin weeding to check seedling emergence. When 20% of the seedlings have unfolded their cotyledons, begin the first weeding operation, completing the process in three batches. This should be done on a cloudy day to prevent the seedlings from being exposed to the sun on sunny days. This allows the seeds to establish roots before weeding is completed, ensuring a high emergence rate and increasing seedling yield. All weeds should be removed within 20 days; weeding should not be delayed, otherwise tall seedlings will form. After weeding, weeding should be repeated six times throughout the entire seedling season. By September, the seedlings will be nearly closed. Throughout the growing season, ensure proper drainage to prevent waterlogging. Water or flood irrigation should be used promptly during droughts.

[0052] During the late weeding period, spray carbendazim once to prevent damping-off disease in seedlings. During the rapid growth phase, apply 0.3% urea foliar fertilizer every two weeks. Starting in late September each year, spray 3.0% potassium dihydrogen phosphate solution three times to promote root growth and early lignification. Topdressing should be done sparingly and frequently to minimize impact on seedling growth. If pests are present, spray with insecticide.

[0053] Example 2

[0054] A method for sowing and raising seedlings of Hamamelis chinensis, comprising the following steps:

[0055] S1. Seed Collection

[0056] Pick witch hazel berries in mid-September.

[0057] S2. Seed treatment

[0058] The harvested fruits are spread out in low light outdoors to dry, turning them while drying until they are completely cracked and the seeds fall out. The seed shells and impurities are removed manually, and the seeds are placed in cloth bags and hung indoors to dry in the shade until the moisture content is 8%, removing moisture from the surface and interior of the seeds.

[0059] S3. Seed storage

[0060] The seeds that have been cleaned and dried in the shade are stored in sand in early January of the following year at a temperature of 6°C.

[0061] (1) River sand treatment: Disinfect the filtered river sand with 1g / L potassium permanganate solution.

[0062] (2) Seed treatment: Soak the seeds in 0.5 g / L potassium permanganate solution for 0.5 h.

[0063] (3) Burying the seeds: Spread the river sand evenly on the ground. Spread a layer of river sand with a thickness of 8 cm from step (1). Then spread a layer of seeds on the river sand. Cover with river sand with a thickness of 4 cm from step (1). Control the relative humidity of the river sand to 15% in the first month of storage, 21% in the second month to the beginning of the third month, and 30% in the later stage of storage. Observe the seeds frequently to prevent them from drying out and becoming moldy.

[0064] (4) Turning over the seeds: Turn over the seeds once a month to release the carbon dioxide and other gases produced by the seeds’ respiration. Use a rice sieve to remove the river sand on the surface of the seeds, then disinfect them with 0.5g / L potassium permanganate and store them in sand again.

[0065] S4. Seeding

[0066] Choose a nursery with flat terrain, good drainage, and sandy loam with a pH of 6.0. Start land preparation in mid-February, plowing and harrowing at least twice to break up the soil clods and level the nursery. Dig a good ditch system to ensure smooth irrigation and drainage. Apply 150kg of decomposed cake fertilizer per mu as base fertilizer, and apply 10kg of ferrous sulfate and 3kg of 90% crystalline dichlorvos for soil disinfection and killing soil pests. The bed should be oriented north-south to facilitate the growth and light of the witch hazel. The bed should be 25cm high and 1.2m wide, with the middle slightly higher than the two sides to facilitate drainage. Because the witch hazel seeds are small, the bed surface must be flat.

[0067] When sowing, first spray the bed with water to moisten it. Evenly spread seeds with a 20% germination rate on the bed. Because the seeds of Hamamelis chinensis are relatively small, cover them evenly with finely crushed loess soil to a thickness of 2mm. Then, cover them with 6mm of hay to retain heat and moisture, facilitating seedling growth. Water thoroughly to keep the bed moist and to prevent the hay from blowing away. Compact the hay with branches or other similar materials. Fence the nursery field to prevent damage by people and animals. [The following appears unrelated and likely a mistranslation:]

[0068] S5. Seedling Management

[0069] Seven days after sowing, begin weeding to check seedling emergence. When 25% of the seedlings' cotyledons have unfolded, begin the first weeding phase, completing the process in two batches. This should be done on a cloudy day to prevent the seedlings from being overwhelmed by sunny days. After weeding, continue weeding. After six weeding sessions throughout the seedling season, the seedlings will be nearly dense by September. Throughout the growing season, ensure proper drainage to prevent waterlogging. Water or flood irrigation should be used promptly during dry periods.

[0070] During the late weeding period, spray carbendazim once to prevent damping-off disease in seedlings. During the rapid growth phase, apply 0.3% urea foliar fertilizer every two weeks. Starting in late September each year, spray 3.0% potassium dihydrogen phosphate solution three times to promote root growth and early lignification. Topdressing should be done sparingly and frequently to minimize impact on seedling growth. If pests are present, spray with insecticide.

[0071] Example 3

[0072] A method for sowing and raising seedlings of Hamamelis chinensis, comprising the following steps:

[0073] S1. Seed Collection

[0074] Pick witch hazel berries in late September.

[0075] S2. Seed treatment

[0076] The harvested fruits are spread out in low light outdoors to dry, turning them while drying until they are completely cracked and the seeds fall out. The seed shells and impurities are removed manually, and the seeds are placed in cloth bags and hung indoors to dry in the shade until the moisture content is 10%, thereby removing moisture from the surface and interior of the seeds.

[0077] S3. Seed storage

[0078] The seeds that have been cleaned and dried in the shade are stored in sand in early January of the following year at a temperature of 10℃.

[0079] (1) River sand treatment: Disinfect the filtered river sand with 1g / L potassium permanganate solution.

[0080] (2) Seed treatment: Soak the seeds in 0.5 g / L potassium permanganate solution for 0.5 h.

[0081] (3) Burying the seeds: Spread the river sand evenly on the ground, spread a layer of river sand with a thickness of 5 cm from step (1), then spread a layer of seeds on the river sand, and then cover it with river sand with a thickness of 3 cm from step (1). Control the relative humidity of the river sand to 20% in the first month of storage, 25% in the second month to the beginning of the third month, and 50% in the later stage of storage. Observe the seeds frequently to prevent them from drying out and becoming moldy.

[0082] (4) Turning over the seeds: Turn over the seeds once a month to release the carbon dioxide and other gases produced by the seeds’ respiration. Use a rice sieve to remove the river sand on the surface of the seeds, then disinfect them with 0.5g / L potassium permanganate and store them in sand again.

[0083] S4. Seeding

[0084] Choose a nursery with flat terrain, good drainage, and sandy loam with a pH of 6.1. Start land preparation in mid-February, plowing and harrowing at least twice to break up the soil clods and level the nursery. Dig a good ditch system to ensure smooth drainage and irrigation. Apply 150kg of decomposed cake fertilizer per mu as base fertilizer, and apply 10kg of ferrous sulfate and 3kg of 90% crystalline dichlorvos for soil disinfection and killing soil pests. The bed should be oriented north-south to facilitate the growth and light of the witch hazel. The bed should be 25cm high and 1.2m wide, with the middle slightly higher than the two sides to facilitate drainage. Because the witch hazel seeds are small, the bed surface must be flat.

[0085] When sowing, first spray the bed with water to moisten it. Evenly spread seeds with a 30% germination rate on the bed. Because the seeds of Hamamelis chinensis are relatively small, cover them evenly with finely crushed loess soil to a thickness of 3mm. Then, cover them with 5mm of hay to retain heat and moisture, facilitating seedling growth. Water thoroughly to keep the bed moist and to prevent the hay from blowing away. Compact the hay with branches or other similar materials. Fence the nursery field to prevent damage by people and animals. [The following appears unrelated and likely a mistranslation:]

[0086] S5. Seedling Management

[0087] Seven days after sowing, begin weeding to check seedling emergence. When 25% of the seedlings' cotyledons have unfolded, begin the first weeding phase, completing the process in three batches. This should be done on a cloudy day to prevent the seedlings from being overwhelmed by sunlight. After weeding, continue weeding. After six weeding sessions throughout the seedling season, the seedlings will be nearly closed by September. Throughout the growing season, ensure proper drainage to prevent waterlogging. Water or flood irrigation should be used promptly during dry periods.

[0088] During the late weeding period, spray carbendazim once to prevent damping-off disease in seedlings. During the rapid growth phase, apply 0.3% urea foliar fertilizer every two weeks. Starting in late September each year, spray 3.0% potassium dihydrogen phosphate solution three times to promote root growth and early lignification. Topdressing should be done sparingly and frequently to minimize impact on seedling growth. If pests are present, spray with insecticide.

[0089] Comparative Example 1

[0090] A method for sowing and raising seedlings of Hamamelis chinensis, comprising the following steps:

[0091] S1. Seed Collection

[0092] Pick the witch hazel berries in early September.

[0093] S2. Seed treatment

[0094] The harvested fruits are spread out in low light outdoors to dry, turning them while drying until they are completely cracked and the seeds fall out. The seed shells and impurities are removed manually, and the seeds are placed in cloth bags and hung to dry indoors in the shade until the moisture content is 9%, removing moisture from the surface and interior of the seeds.

[0095] S3. Seed storage

[0096] The seeds that have been cleaned and dried in the shade are stored in sand in early January of the following year at a temperature of 8°C.

[0097] (1) River sand treatment: Disinfect the filtered river sand with 1g / L potassium permanganate solution.

[0098] (2) Seed treatment: Soak the seeds in 0.5 g / L potassium permanganate solution for 0.5 h.

[0099] (3) Burying the seeds: Spread the river sand evenly on the ground, spread a layer of river sand with a thickness of 6 cm from step (1), then spread a layer of seeds on the river sand, and then cover it with river sand with a thickness of 4 cm from step (1). Control the relative humidity of the river sand to 18% in the first month of storage, 23% in the second month to the beginning of the third month, and 40% in the later stage of storage. Observe the seeds frequently to prevent them from drying out and becoming moldy.

[0100] (4) Turning over the seeds: Turn over the seeds once a month to release the carbon dioxide and other gases produced by the seeds’ respiration. Use a rice sieve to remove the river sand on the surface of the seeds, then disinfect them with 0.5g / L potassium permanganate and store them in sand again.

[0101] S4. Seeding

[0102] Choose a nursery with flat terrain, good drainage, and sandy loam with a pH of 6.0. Start land preparation in mid-February, plowing and harrowing at least twice to break up the soil clods and level the nursery. Dig a good ditch system to ensure smooth irrigation and drainage. Apply 150kg of decomposed cake fertilizer per mu as base fertilizer, and apply 10kg of ferrous sulfate and 3kg of 90% crystalline dichlorvos for soil disinfection and killing soil pests. The bed should be oriented north-south to facilitate the growth and light of the witch hazel. The bed should be 25cm high and 1.2m wide, with the middle slightly higher than the two sides to facilitate drainage. Because the witch hazel seeds are small, the bed surface must be flat.

[0103] When sowing, first spray the bed with water to moisten it. Evenly spread seeds with a 25% germination rate on the bed. Because the seeds of Hamamelis arvensis are relatively small, they should be evenly covered with finely crushed loess soil to a thickness of 2mm. Then, cover with 5mm of hay to retain heat and moisture, facilitating seedling growth. Water thoroughly to keep the bed moist and to prevent the hay from blowing away. Compact the hay with branches or other materials. Fence the nursery field to prevent damage by people and animals.

[0104] S5. Seedling Management

[0105] Seven days after sowing, begin weeding to check seedling emergence. When 20% of the seedlings have unfolded their cotyledons, begin the first weeding operation, completing the process in three batches. This should be done on a cloudy day to prevent the seedlings from being exposed to the sun on sunny days. This allows the seeds to establish roots before weeding is completed, ensuring a high emergence rate and increasing seedling yield. All weeds should be removed within 20 days; weeding should not be delayed, otherwise tall seedlings will form. After weeding, weeding should be repeated six times throughout the entire seedling season. By September, the seedlings will be nearly closed. Throughout the growing season, ensure proper drainage to prevent waterlogging. Water or flood irrigation should be used promptly during droughts.

[0106] During the late weeding period, spray carbendazim once to prevent damping-off disease in seedlings. During the rapid growth phase, apply 0.3% urea foliar fertilizer every two weeks. Starting in late September each year, spray 3.0% potassium dihydrogen phosphate solution three times to promote root growth and early lignification. Topdressing should be done sparingly and frequently to minimize impact on seedling growth. If pests are present, spray with insecticide.

[0107] Comparative Example 2

[0108] A method for sowing and raising seedlings of Hamamelis chinensis, comprising the following steps:

[0109] S1. Seed Collection

[0110] Pick the witch hazel berries in early October.

[0111] S2. Seed treatment

[0112] The harvested fruits are spread out in low light outdoors to dry, turning them while drying until they are completely cracked and the seeds fall out. The seed shells and impurities are removed manually, and the seeds are placed in cloth bags and hung to dry indoors in the shade until the moisture content is 9%, removing moisture from the surface and interior of the seeds.

[0113] S3. Seed storage

[0114] The seeds that have been cleaned and dried in the shade are stored in sand in early January of the following year at a temperature of 2°C.

[0115] (1) River sand treatment: Disinfect the filtered river sand with 1g / L potassium permanganate solution.

[0116] (2) Seed treatment: Soak the seeds in 0.5 g / L potassium permanganate solution for 0.5 h.

[0117] (3) Burying seeds: Spread river sand evenly on the ground. Spread a layer of river sand with a thickness of 6 cm from step (1). Then spread a layer of seeds on the river sand. Cover with river sand with a thickness of 4 cm from step (1). During storage, control the relative humidity of the river sand at 16%.

[0118] (4) Turning over the seeds: Turn over the seeds once a month to release the carbon dioxide and other gases produced by the seeds’ respiration. Use a rice sieve to remove the river sand on the surface of the seeds, then disinfect them with 0.5g / L potassium permanganate and store them in sand again.

[0119] S4. Seeding

[0120] Choose a nursery with flat terrain, good drainage, and sandy loam with a pH of 5.8. Start preparing the land in mid-February, plowing and harrowing at least twice to break up the soil clods and level the nursery. Dig a good ditch system to ensure smooth drainage and irrigation. Apply 150kg of well-rotted cake fertilizer per mu as base fertilizer, and apply 10kg of ferrous sulfate and 3kg of 90% crystalline dichlorvos for soil disinfection and killing soil pests. The bed should be oriented north-south to facilitate the growth and light of the witch hazel. The bed should be 25cm high and 1.2m wide, with the middle slightly higher than the two sides to facilitate drainage. Because the witch hazel seeds are small, the bed surface must be flat.

[0121] When sowing, first spray the bed with water to moisten it. Evenly spread seeds with a 20% germination rate on the bed. Because the seeds of Hamamelis arvensis are relatively small, cover them evenly with finely crushed loess soil to a thickness of 2mm. Then, cover them with 5mm of hay to retain heat and moisture, facilitating seedling growth. Water thoroughly to keep the bed moist and to prevent the hay from blowing away. Compact the hay with branches or other similar materials. Fence the nursery field to prevent damage by people and animals.

[0122] S5. Seedling Management

[0123] Seven days after sowing, begin weeding to check seedling emergence. When 20% of the seedlings have unfolded their cotyledons, begin the first weeding operation, completing the process in three batches. This should be done on a cloudy day to prevent the seedlings from being exposed to the sun on sunny days. This allows the seeds to establish roots before weeding is completed, ensuring a high emergence rate and increasing seedling yield. All weeds should be removed within 20 days; weeding should not be delayed, otherwise tall seedlings will form. After weeding, weeding should be repeated six times throughout the entire seedling season. By September, the seedlings will be nearly closed. Throughout the growing season, ensure proper drainage to prevent waterlogging. Water or flood irrigation should be used promptly during droughts.

[0124] During the late weeding period, spray carbendazim once to prevent damping-off disease in seedlings. During the rapid growth phase, apply 0.3% urea foliar fertilizer every two weeks. Starting in late September each year, spray 3.0% potassium dihydrogen phosphate solution three times to promote root growth and early lignification. Topdressing should be done sparingly and frequently to minimize impact on seedling growth. If pests are present, spray with insecticide.

[0125] Comparative Example 3

[0126] A method for sowing and raising seedlings of Hamamelis chinensis, comprising the following steps:

[0127] S1. Seed Collection

[0128] Pick the witch hazel berries in early October.

[0129] S2. Seed treatment

[0130] The harvested fruits are spread out in low light outdoors to dry, turning them while drying until they are completely cracked and the seeds fall out. The seed shells and impurities are removed manually, and the seeds are placed in cloth bags and hung to dry indoors in the shade until the moisture content is 9%, removing moisture from the surface and interior of the seeds.

[0131] S3. Seed storage

[0132] The seeds that have been cleaned and dried in the shade are stored in sand in early January of the following year at a temperature of 2°C.

[0133] (1) River sand treatment: Disinfect the filtered river sand with 1g / L potassium permanganate solution.

[0134] (2) Seed treatment: Soak the seeds in 0.5 g / L potassium permanganate solution for 0.5 h.

[0135] (3) Burying the seeds: Spread river sand evenly on the ground, spread a layer of river sand with a thickness of 6 cm from step (1), then spread a layer of seeds on the river sand, continue the cycle of laying a layer of river sand and a layer of seeds, stack 3 to 4 layers, and finally cover with river sand with a thickness of 4 cm from step (1). The relative humidity of the river sand is controlled at 18% in the first month of storage, 25% in the second month to the beginning of the third month, and 40% in the later stage of storage.

[0136] S4. Seeding

[0137] Choose a nursery with flat terrain, good drainage, and sandy loam with a pH of 6.1. Start land preparation in mid-February, plowing and harrowing at least twice to break up the soil clods and level the nursery. Dig a good ditch system to ensure smooth drainage and irrigation. Apply 150kg of decomposed cake fertilizer per mu as base fertilizer, and apply 10kg of ferrous sulfate and 3kg of 90% crystalline dichlorvos for soil disinfection and killing soil pests. The bed should be oriented north-south to facilitate the growth and light of the witch hazel. The bed should be 25cm high and 1.2m wide, with the middle slightly higher than the two sides to facilitate drainage. Because the witch hazel seeds are small, the bed surface must be flat.

[0138] When sowing, first spray the bed with water to moisten it. Evenly spread seeds with a 20% germination rate on the bed. Because the seeds of Hamamelis arvensis are relatively small, cover them evenly with finely crushed loess soil to a thickness of 2mm. Then, cover them with 5mm of hay to retain heat and moisture, facilitating seedling growth. Water thoroughly to keep the bed moist and to prevent the hay from blowing away. Compact the hay with branches or other similar materials. Fence the nursery field to prevent damage by people and animals.

[0139] S5. Seedling Management

[0140] Seven days after sowing, begin weeding to check seedling emergence. When 20% of the seedlings have unfolded their cotyledons, begin the first weeding phase, completing the process in two batches. This should be done on a cloudy day to prevent the seedlings from being exposed to the sun on sunny days. This allows the seeds to establish roots before weeding, ensuring a high emergence rate and increasing seedling yield. All weeds should be removed within 20 days; weeding should not be delayed, otherwise tall seedlings will form. After weeding, weeding should be repeated six times throughout the entire seedling season. By September, the seedlings will be nearly closed. Throughout the growing season, ensure proper drainage to prevent waterlogging. Water or flood irrigation should be used promptly during droughts.

[0141] During the late weeding period, spray carbendazim once to prevent damping-off disease in seedlings. During the rapid growth phase, apply 0.3% urea foliar fertilizer every two weeks. Starting in late September each year, spray 3.0% potassium dihydrogen phosphate solution three times to promote root growth and early lignification. Topdressing should be done sparingly and frequently to minimize impact on seedling growth. If pests are present, spray with insecticide.

[0142] In order to further illustrate that the method provided by the present invention can effectively improve the germination rate and emergence rate of Hamamelis chinensis seeds, the inventors conducted seedling cultivation tests on the seedling cultivation methods of the above three embodiments and three comparative examples, and tested the effects of different seedling cultivation methods on seed plumpness, 1000-grain weight, emergence rate and seedling survival rate. The test results are shown in Table 1.

[0143] Table 1 Effects of different seedling raising methods on the emergence rate and survival rate of Hamamelis chinensis

[0144] Seed fullness (%) Thousand-grain weight of seeds (g) Seedling emergence rate (%) Seedling survival rate (%) Example 1 86 28 85 98 Example 2 63 22 80 95 Example 3 71 23 83 96 Comparative Example 1 58 20 37 77 Comparative Example 2 78 24 73 79 Comparative Example 3 78 24 74 78

[0145] As can be seen from the results in Table 1, the germination rate and seedling survival rate in Examples 1 to 3 are relatively high. The seed collection time of Example 1 is early October. At this time, the leaves of the witch hazel are red, the fruits are yellow, and some fruits are cracked to reveal seeds. After measurement, the average plumpness of the seeds picked at this time is 86%, and the thousand-grain weight is 28g, indicating that the seeds are highly mature at this time, contain rich nutrients, are healthy, and have strong germination ability. Therefore, the germination rate and seedling survival rate obtained by the sowing and seedling raising method of Example 1 are the highest, at 85% and 98%, respectively.

[0146] The seed collection time of Comparative Example 1 is early September. At this time, the leaves of the Hamamelis chinensis are aged and red, the fruits are yellowish, and the fruits have mature characteristics. However, it is determined that the seed fullness is only 58%, and the seeds are not fully mature, resulting in low germination ability and seedling survival rate.

[0147] The germination rate and seedling survival rate obtained by the sowing and seedling raising method in Comparative Example 2 were also low. This may be because the sand storage temperature was low, which delayed the physiological effects of the seeds, inhibited the activity of enzymes inside the seeds, and slowed down the germination rate. In addition, the relative humidity of the river sand was kept at a low level, which may lead to insufficient water absorption of the seeds and affected germination. Therefore, the germination rate was low and the quality of the seedlings was poor, which further affected the growth of the seedlings, resulting in a survival rate of only 79%.

[0148] The germination rate and seedling survival rate obtained by the sowing and seedling raising method in Comparative Example 3 were also low. This may be because repeated replanting and disinfection were not carried out, resulting in a lack of ventilation during seed storage, causing CO2 poisoning, mold and deterioration, etc., resulting in a seed germination rate of only 74%.

[0149] Obviously, those skilled in the art may make various changes and modifications to the present invention without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. Thus, if such changes and modifications fall within the scope of the claims and their equivalents, the present invention is intended to include such changes and modifications.

Claims

1. A method for sowing and raising seedlings of Hamamelis chinensis, characterized in that: The following steps are involved: Seed collection: The harvest of Hamamelis seeds should be completed from mid-September to early October each year; Seed treatment: remove impurities and dry in the shade until the moisture content of the seeds is 8% to 10%; Seed storage: Use the "sand-seed-sand" stratification method to store disinfected seeds in sand for the winter. Control the relative humidity of the sand storage at 15%-20% in the first month, 21%-25% from the second month to the beginning of the third month, and 30%-50% in the later stages of sand storage. Turn the seeds over and disinfect them during sand storage. Sowing: When the germination rate of seeds reaches 20% to 30% in the next year, sow the seeds on the seedbed and then cover them with fine soil and hay in turn; Seedling management: When the cotyledons of 20% to 30% of the seedlings have unfolded, remove the hay one by one and carry out seedling management.

2. The method for sowing and raising seedlings of Hamamelis chinensis according to claim 1, wherein The stratification method of the seed storage is: Spread the sterilized seeds flat on 5-8 cm thick sterilized river sand, and then cover with 3-4 cm thick sterilized river sand.

3. The method for sowing and raising seedlings of Hamamelis chinensis according to claim 1, wherein The seed storage replanting and disinfection method is as follows: The seeds stored in sand were taken out, river sand on the surface of the seeds was removed, and the seeds were disinfected by soaking them in 0.3g / L to 0.5g / L potassium permanganate solution for 30 to 40 minutes. The disinfected seeds were re-stored in sand according to the stratification method.

4. The method for sowing and raising seedlings of Hamamelis chinensis according to claim 1, wherein During the storage period, the seeds should be replanted and disinfected once a month.

5. The method for sowing and raising seedlings of Hamamelis chinensis according to claim 1, wherein The temperature of the sand storage is 6-10°C.

6. The method for sowing and raising seedlings of Hamamelis chinensis according to claim 1, wherein The seedbed is a seedbed in which 140-160 kg of cake fertilizer, 8-12 kg of plant iron supplement and 2-3 kg of organophosphorus insecticide are applied per mu.

7. The method for sowing and raising seedlings of Hamamelis chinensis according to claim 6, wherein The cake fertilizer is decomposed rapeseed cake, bean cake, sesame cake, peanut cake or cottonseed cake.

8. The method for sowing and raising seedlings of Hamamelis chinensis according to claim 1, wherein The seedling management also includes: spraying fungicides after the weeding is completed, applying nitrogen fertilizer during the rapid growth period of the seedlings, and applying phosphorus and potassium fertilizers in late September.