Ilex rotunda grafting method

Abstract

The invention discloses a Ilex rotunda grafting method which comprises the following steps: from late February to mid-March, preparing a 3-5-year-old Ilex rotunda rootstock for cultivation, and irrigating the Ilex rotunda rootstock; preparing a scion with double inclined planes; cutting a cut with the depth of 3cm in the rootstock, inserting the scion and aligning to the cambium; and carrying out double-layer binding by using a viscous PVC grafting film and a grafting soft film. The final-period management comprises the steps of sunshelter building, irrigation, bud picking, unbinding, pinching, fertilization and weeding. The problem that Ilex rotunda is difficult to breed is solved, the grafting survival rate is high, and the seedling raising period is short.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of plant asexual reproduction technology, specifically to a grafting method for Ilex chinensis. Background Technology

[0002] Ilex rotunda Thunb., an evergreen tree or shrub belonging to the genus Ilex in the family Aquifoliaceae, is highly valued for its ornamental beauty in landscaping due to its deep green leaves, purplish-red young branches, and bright red fruits, earning it the nickname "a riot of colors." However, Ilex rotunda has a thick seed coat and a long dormancy period, resulting in extremely low germination rates (0-50%), long germination times (requiring more than two years), and slow seedling growth when propagated by seed. Although propagation by cuttings is possible, it also suffers from difficulties in rooting and a long seedling cultivation period. These factors severely restrict the large-scale production and widespread application of Ilex rotunda seedlings in landscaping.

[0003] Grafting, as a common asexual reproduction technique, can effectively maintain the superior traits of the parent plant and significantly shorten the seedling cultivation cycle. However, the efficient and standardized grafting techniques for *Ilex chinensis* are currently incomplete, lacking a complete system from rootstock and scion selection and grafting operation to meticulous post-grafting management. This results in unstable grafting survival rates, hindering the widespread application of this technique. Therefore, developing a grafting method for *Ilex chinensis* with high survival rates, standardized operation, and easy promotion, along with supporting tools, is of great significance. Summary of the Invention

[0004] This invention provides a high survival rate grafting method for Ilex chinensis. By optimizing the selection of rootstock and scion, standardizing the grafting operation, adopting double-layer wrapping technology, and implementing meticulous post-grafting management, the grafting survival rate exceeds 90%.

[0005] This invention provides a grafting method for Ilex chinensis, comprising the following steps: (1) Rootstock preparation: From late February to mid-March, select 3 to 5-year-old seedlings of Ilex chinensis planted in the ground that are free from pests and diseases and have well-developed root systems as rootstocks. Water the rootstocks 3 to 5 days before grafting. Select lateral branches with a diameter of 1 to 2 cm as grafting rootstocks. Cut them with pruning shears 5 to 6 cm above the fork and prune off any suckers on the rootstocks. (2) Scion preparation: Cut healthy, plump buds and 1 to 2 cm thick branches of Ilex chinensis as scions; use a grafting knife to make a slanted cut 1 cm below the bud on the scion, remove one-third of the wood, forming a long slanted surface 2 cm long, and then make a small slanted surface 0.5 to 0.8 cm long on the back of the long slanted surface. (3) Rootstock incision: At the cut of the rootstock after the treatment in step (1), select a smooth bark location and make a vertical incision with a depth of 3 cm along the xylem; (4) Grafting: Insert the long bevel of the scion into the incision of the rootstock, so that the cambium of the scion is aligned and adhered to the cambium on both sides of the incision of the rootstock. (5) Wrapping: Wrap the grafting joint tightly with adhesive PVC grafting film 7 to 8 times, and then wrap the entire grafting area with grafting soft film; (6) Post-grafting management: After grafting, build a shade structure and use a shade net with a shading rate of 75% for shading; irrigate once every 3 to 5 days after grafting; remove new shoots sprouting from the rootstock during the growing season; in mid-to-late April, remove the adhesive PVC grafting film and grafting soft film from the grafting site; when the new shoots of the scion grow to 15 to 20 cm, pinch off the tips; from April to August, apply nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium compound fertilizer every 20 to 30 days, applying 20 to 40 kg per mu each time, and water, loosen the soil and weed; remove the shade net in mid-to-late September.

[0006] Specifically, in step (1), the rootstock has a diameter at ground level of 3 to 4 centimeters. The rootstock is 3-5 years old. Specifically, in step (2), the scion is taken from the one-year spring shoots of a superior mother plant, and each scion retains 2 to 3 plump buds.

[0007] Specifically, in step (5), the adhesive PVC grafting film is wound from bottom to top.

[0008] Specifically, in step (6), the height of the shade structure is 4 meters.

[0009] Specifically, in step (6), the operation of removing new buds sprouting from the rootstock is performed once every 15 days.

[0010] Specifically, in step (6), the topdressing is applied by digging a ring trench around the root zone of the tree.

[0011] The beneficial effects of this invention are as follows: By precisely selecting the grafting time, rootstock, and scion, adopting standardized grafting methods and double-layer wrapping techniques, and combining scientific post-grafting management, the grafting survival rate can be kept stable at over 90%.

[0012] Compared with sowing and cutting, the method of this invention can significantly shorten the seedling cycle of Ilex chinensis and accelerate the production of high-quality seedlings. Detailed Implementation

[0013] The present invention will be further explained in detail below with reference to the embodiments.

[0014] A grafting method for Ilex chinensis includes the following steps: (1) Rootstock preparation: From late February to mid-March, water the rootstock 3 to 5 days before grafting to ensure that the tree has sufficient water supply. In this invention, we select 3 to 5-year-old seedlings of ground-grown Ilex chinensis without pests or diseases and with well-developed root systems. The branches with a diameter of 1 to 2 cm on the lateral branches are used as rootstocks. Use pruning shears to cut the branches 5 to 6 cm above the fork and prune away the small suckers.

[0015] (2) Scion preparation: Select healthy, well-budded, and 1-2 cm thick branches of Ilex chinensis to be grafted as scions. Use a grafting knife to make a slanted cut 1 cm below the bud on the back of the scion, removing one-third of the wood. The slanted cut should be about 2 cm long. Then make a small slanted cut on the back of the slanted cut, removing some wood. The cut surface should be 0.5-0.8 cm long. Cut the scion 1-2 cm above the bud.

[0016] (3) Rootstock incision: At the rootstock fracture site treated in step (1), select a smooth bark location and make a vertical incision with a depth of 3 cm along the xylem.

[0017] (4) Grafting: Insert the scion into the cut of the rootstock, aligning and pressing the cambium layers on both sides of the long sloping surface of the scion with the cambium layers on both sides of the rootstock. If the scion is thin, it is necessary to ensure that the cambium layers of the scion and the rootstock are aligned.

[0018] (5) Wrapping: Wrap the grafting joint with adhesive PVC grafting film 7-8 times, and then wrap the entire grafting area with grafting soft film.

[0019] (6) Post-grafting management: Routine management after grafting: After grafting, control watering and maintain moisture. Construct a shade structure about 4 meters high above the grafting site and use a shade net with a 75% shading rate to provide shade and reduce temperature. 3-5 days after grafting, thoroughly water the grafting nursery again to promote rapid healing of the rootstock and scion. Because ground-planted holly rootstock has strong sprouting ability, all new buds sprouting on the rootstock should be removed by hand during the growing season, generally once every half month. In mid-to-late April, the rootstock and scion have fully healed, at which time the adhesive PVC grafting film and grafting soft film should be removed. When the new shoots grow to 15-20cm, the terminal buds should be removed in time to promote more branching and early shaping of the new shoots. The number of times topping depends on the growth situation. During the peak growth period of trees from April to August, apply nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium compound fertilizer every 20 to 30 days by digging trenches around the trees, at a rate of 20 to 40 kg per acre each time. Water and drain the soil promptly, and loosen the soil and weed as needed, depending on the moisture level. Remove the shade netting above the grafting site in mid to late September.

[0020] The above embodiments are preferred embodiments of the present invention, but the embodiments of the present invention are not limited to the above embodiments. Any other improvements and modifications made without departing from the principle of the present invention are included within the protection scope of the present invention.

Claims

1. A method for grafting Ilex chinensis, characterized in that, Includes the following steps: (1) Rootstock preparation: From late February to mid-March, select 3 to 5-year-old seedlings of Ilex chinensis planted in the ground that are free from pests and diseases and have well-developed root systems as rootstocks. Water the rootstocks 3 to 5 days before grafting. Select lateral branches with a diameter of 1 to 2 cm as grafting rootstocks. Cut them with pruning shears 5 to 6 cm above the fork and prune off any suckers on the rootstocks. (2) Scion preparation: Cut healthy, plump buds and 1 to 2 cm thick branches of Ilex chinensis as scions; use a grafting knife to make a slanted cut 1 cm below the bud on the scion, remove one-third of the wood, forming a long slanted surface 2 cm long, and then make a small slanted surface 0.5 to 0.8 cm long on the back of the long slanted surface. (3) Rootstock incision: At the cut of the rootstock after the treatment in step (1), select a smooth bark location and make a vertical incision with a depth of 3 cm along the xylem; (4) Grafting: Insert the long bevel of the scion into the incision of the rootstock, so that the cambium of the scion is aligned and adhered to the cambium on both sides of the incision of the rootstock. (5) Wrapping: Wrap the grafting joint tightly with adhesive PVC grafting film 7 to 8 times, and then wrap the entire grafting area with grafting soft film; (6) Post-grafting management: After grafting, build a shade structure and use a shade net with a shading rate of 75% for shading; irrigate once every 3 to 5 days after grafting; remove new shoots sprouting from the rootstock during the growing season; in mid-to-late April, remove the adhesive PVC grafting film and grafting soft film from the grafting site; when the new shoots of the scion grow to 15 to 20 cm, pinch off the tips; from April to August, apply nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium compound fertilizer every 20 to 30 days, applying 20 to 40 kg per mu each time, and water, loosen the soil and weed; remove the shade net in mid-to-late September.

2. The grafting method for *Ilex cornuta* according to claim 1, characterized in that, In step (1), the rootstock has a ground diameter of 3 to 4 centimeters.

3. The grafting method for *Ilex cornuta* according to claim 1, characterized in that, In step (2), the scion is taken from the one-year spring shoots of the superior mother plant, and each scion retains 2 to 3 plump buds.

4. The grafting method for *Ilex cornuta* according to claim 1, characterized in that, In step (5), the adhesive PVC grafting film is wound from bottom to top.

5. The grafting method for *Ilex cornuta* according to claim 1, characterized in that, In step (6), the height of the shade canopy is 4 meters.

6. The grafting method for *Ilex cornuta* according to claim 1, characterized in that, In step (6), the operation of removing new buds sprouting from the rootstock is performed once every 15 days.

7. The grafting method for *Ilex cornuta* according to claim 1, characterized in that, In step (6), the topdressing is applied by digging a ring trench around the root zone of the tree.