A flowering period regulating agent, a method for delaying the flowering period of loquat, and its application.

Abstract

This invention discloses a flowering period regulating agent, a method for delaying loquat flowering, and their applications, belonging to the field of loquat cultivation technology. This invention provides a method for preparing a chili pepper extract. By using the prepared chili pepper extract and calcium nitrate for intermittent spraying, the flowering period of loquat can be effectively delayed by about 15 days. Experiments also show that the number of days the flowering period is delayed can be adjusted within a certain range by adjusting the concentration of the diluted chili pepper extract, thereby effectively avoiding cold waves, adjusting shelf life, and ensuring stable income for fruit growers. The provided method for delaying loquat flowering does not use toxic or harmful compounds or auxins, has no toxic side effects on loquat fruit or trees, has good local absorption capacity, is safe and effective, and poses no safety risks to consumers. The operation is simple, and the effect is stable. The provided chili pepper extract can extend the flowering period of loquat within a certain range and can be used for flowering period regulation during loquat cultivation.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of loquat cultivation technology, and in particular to a flowering period regulating agent, a method for delaying the flowering period of loquat, and their applications. Background Technology

[0002] Loquat is the fruit of *Eriobotrya japonica* (Thunb.) Lindl., a plant in the Rosaceae family. Revered as a rare and precious fruit, it is round or oval, 2-5 cm in diameter, with a yellow or orange-yellow outer pericarp, a fleshy mesocarp, and a papery, brown endocarp containing one or more seeds. Loquat flesh is sweet and juicy, rich in vitamins C and B, carotene, and minerals such as potassium and phosphorus. It is highly nutritious and also has thirst-quenching and digestive-aiding properties. Loquat leaves, seeds, flowers, and roots all have medicinal value. Loquat leaves are slightly cold in nature and can clear the lungs, stop coughing, and relieve nausea and vomiting. They are often used for coughs caused by lung heat or vomiting caused by stomach heat. Loquat seeds can be used as medicine after being dried. They can resolve phlegm, stop coughing, soothe the liver and regulate qi, and promote diuresis and reduce swelling. Loquat flowers are neutral to slightly warm in nature and can relieve wind and stop coughing. They can treat headaches, nasal congestion, or chronic cough due to deficiency. Loquat roots are bitter and neutral in nature and can stop coughing, promote lactation, and relieve pain. They are used for coughs due to deficiency or insufficient lactation.

[0003] Loquat flowers bloom in spikes, each spike potentially bearing dozens or even hundreds of flowers. Due to differences in flower bud differentiation and floret development, the flowers on the same spike open in batches, typically in three groups. The first batch of flowers opens earliest, fewer in number but larger and of higher quality. They are usually located in the middle of the spike, have a high fruit set rate, and because they have the longest growing season, they accumulate more nutrients, resulting in the largest, earliest-ripening, and best-quality fruit. The second batch of flowers opens after the first, with the largest number of flowers forming the main body of the spike. They have a moderate fruit set rate, and while the fruit size and quality are slightly lower than the first batch, they constitute a major portion of the yield. The third batch of flowers opens latest, smaller and fewer in number, often located at the top and base of the spike. They typically have a low fruit set rate, produce small, lower-quality fruit, and mature late, often serving as backup fruit or being naturally eliminated.

[0004] Loquat flowers in autumn and winter (October to December). Young fruits need to overwinter and are highly susceptible to late autumn frosts or extreme winter temperatures, leading to frost damage to flowers, poor pollination, and fruit death, resulting in severe yield reduction or even crop failure. Appropriately delaying the loquat flowering period is crucial for ensuring stable yields, improving fruit set rate, and enhancing fruit quality. In regions with unstable winter climates or frequent late spring frosts, this is a key measure determining the success or failure of cultivation. However, current methods for delaying loquat flowering are labor-intensive, risky, and have inconsistent results. Technicians in this field have been continuously striving to develop new, simple, effective, and safe methods. Summary of the Invention

[0005] The purpose of this invention is to provide a flowering period regulation agent, a method for delaying the flowering period of loquat, and their applications. In order to solve the problems of large workload, high risk, and poor stability of the effect of the existing methods for delaying the flowering period of loquat, this invention provides a new method that is simple to operate, effective, safe, and has excellent stability.

[0006] To achieve the above objectives, the present invention provides a chili pepper extract, the preparation method of which includes the following steps: S1. Chop fresh dried chilies and grind them into powder, then pass the powder through an 80-100 mesh sieve; S2. Add 2-3 times the volume of dimethyl sulfoxide to the sieved powder, sonicate for 10-20 minutes, and treat at 25-30℃ and 200rpm for 1-3 hours.

[0007] Preferably, the fresh dried chili peppers in S1 contain plump seeds.

[0008] Preferably, the ultrasonic condition in S2 is 100Hz, and the temperature of the suspension is kept below 40°C during ultrasonication.

[0009] A flowering period regulating agent, wherein the flowering period regulating agent uses the above-mentioned chili pepper extract as the active ingredient; the efficacy of the flowering period regulating agent is to delay the flowering period.

[0010] Application of a flowering period regulating agent as described above in delaying the flowering period of loquat.

[0011] A method for delaying the flowering period of loquat, the steps are as follows: S1. Spray the above-mentioned chili extract on sunny afternoons in August and September; S2. 10-15 days after spraying the above-mentioned chili extract, spray with 1-2% calcium nitrate.

[0012] Preferably, the chili extract in S1 is a diluted solution of chili extract after filtering out particulate matter, diluted at a ratio of 1:500-1000.

[0013] Preferably, the diluent is obtained by diluting the chili extract with drinking water.

[0014] Preferably, the spraying sites in S1 and S2 are the tips of new shoots and the axillary buds near the tips of new shoots.

[0015] Application of a method for delaying the flowering period of loquat as described above in loquat cultivation.

[0016] Therefore, the present invention provides a flowering period regulating agent, a method for delaying the flowering period of loquat, and their applications, the specific technical effects of which are as follows: (1) This invention provides a method for preparing chili extract. The method of spraying the prepared chili extract with calcium nitrate at intervals can effectively delay the flowering period of loquat by about 15 days. Experiments also show that it is possible to adjust the number of days of delay in flowering period within a certain range by adjusting the concentration of the chili extract dilution, thereby effectively avoiding cold waves, adjusting shelf life, and ensuring stable income for fruit farmers. (2) The method for delaying the flowering period of loquat provided by the present invention does not use toxic and harmful compounds or auxins, has no toxic side effects on loquat fruit and tree, has good local absorption capacity, is safe and effective, and poses no safety risks to consumers; it is simple to operate and has good effect stability; the provided chili extract can prolong the flowering period of loquat within a certain range and can be used for flowering period regulation in the process of loquat planting.

[0017] The technical solution of the present invention will be further described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings and embodiments. Attached Figure Description

[0018] To more clearly illustrate the technical solutions of the embodiments of the present invention, the drawings used in the description of the embodiments of the present invention will be briefly introduced below. Obviously, the drawings described below are only some embodiments of the present invention. For those skilled in the art, other drawings can be obtained based on these drawings without creative effort.

[0019] Figure 1 These are field photos of Example 1 and Comparative Example 1, taken on November 15, 2024. Figure 2 These are field photos of Comparative Example 1 to Example 3, taken on November 15, 2024. Figure 3 These are photos of the fruits during the expansion stage in Example 3. Detailed Implementation

[0020] The technical solution of the present invention will be further described below with reference to the accompanying drawings and embodiments.

[0021] To make the objectives, technical solutions, and advantages of this application clearer, more thorough, and more complete, the technical solutions of the present invention will be clearly and completely described below with reference to the accompanying drawings and embodiments. The following detailed descriptions are all illustrations of embodiments, intended to provide further detailed explanation of the present invention. Unless otherwise specified, all technical terms used in this invention have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this application pertains.

[0022] The instruments, equipment, reagents and materials used in the embodiments were all obtained through commercial means; the methods and steps not described in detail in the embodiments are all conventional techniques in the art.

[0023] Example 1 The specific steps for preparing a chili extract are as follows: Fresh, fully mature dried chili peppers (including seeds) are chopped and ground into powder, then sieved through a 100-mesh sieve. Accurately weigh 10g of the sieved powder and add three times its volume of dimethyl sulfoxide. Sonicate at 100Hz for 20 minutes, pausing for 3 minutes after every 5 minutes of sonication, ensuring the suspension temperature does not exceed 40℃ during the sonication process. After sonication, treat the suspension at 200rpm, 40℃, and in the dark for 4 hours. The resulting chili pepper extract should be filtered to remove particulate matter before spraying to prevent nozzle clogging; prepare the extract immediately before use.

[0024] Example 2 The specific steps for preparing a chili extract are as follows: Fresh, fully mature dried chili peppers (including seeds) are chopped and ground into powder, then sieved through a 100-mesh sieve. Accurately weigh 10g of the sieved powder and add three times its volume of dimethyl sulfoxide. Sonicate at 100Hz for 20 minutes, pausing for 3 minutes after every 5 minutes of sonication, ensuring the suspension temperature does not exceed 40℃ during the sonication process. After sonication, treat the suspension at 200rpm at room temperature in the dark for 1 hour. The resulting chili pepper extract should be filtered to remove particulate matter before spraying to prevent nozzle clogging; prepare the extract immediately before use.

[0025] Example 3 The specific steps for preparing a chili extract are as follows: Fresh, fully mature dried chili peppers (including seeds) are chopped and ground into powder, then sieved through a 100-mesh sieve. Accurately weigh 10g of the sieved powder, add twice the volume of dimethyl sulfoxide, and sonicate at 100Hz for 20 minutes, pausing for 3 minutes after every 5 minutes of sonication, ensuring the suspension temperature does not exceed 40℃ during the sonication process. After sonication, treat the suspension at 200rpm at room temperature in the dark for 1 hour. The resulting chili pepper extract should be filtered to remove particulate matter before spraying to prevent nozzle clogging; prepare the extract immediately before use.

[0026] Example 4 The chili extracts prepared in Examples 1-3 were used to treat open-field loquats at the Baizhangyan Loquat Base in Longxi, Yuhuan City, Zhejiang Province in 2024. The loquat variety planted was Ninghai White. March White Loquat is an extra-early maturing, large-fruited, white-fleshed loquat variety, a unique and rare germplasm resource in my country, hailed as a "rare gem among loquats." It was bred from a hybrid of "Zaozhong 6" and "Xinbai 2," and is known for its delicate flesh and sweet aftertaste. The specific steps are as follows: S1. Take 10 mL of the chili extract prepared in Examples 1-3, add 8 L of drinking water + 4 mL of Tween-20 stock solution, stir and mix well to obtain the dilution of chili extract. On a sunny afternoon (5 pm) in late August, spray the dilution of chili extract prepared in Examples 1-3 onto the top of the loquat shoots and the axillary buds near the top, ensuring that the top buds are covered with fine droplets.

[0027] S2. Half a month later, spray the tips of the loquat shoots with a 1.5% calcium nitrate solution, ensuring that the terminal buds are covered with fine droplets. A total of 5 loquat trees were sprayed, and they were designated as Example 1, Example 2, and Example 3, respectively.

[0028] Comparative Example 1 The treatment of loquat trees differs from that in Example 4 in that water is sprayed at the same time as in step S1. A total of 5 loquat trees are sprayed.

[0029] Loquat trees treated in Comparative Example 1 and Example 4 were planted adjacent to each other (Example 1 group - Comparative Example 1 group - Example 2 group - Comparative Example 1 group - Example 3 group). When spraying, a 20mL small spray bottle was used to spray the inflorescences separately. To prevent the formulation components from flying during spraying, while one student was spraying, another student used a 1m×1m foam board to block the sprayers on the side of the loquat trees treated with different methods. Before spraying different extracts / water, the foam board was rinsed with water or replaced with a new foam board. The flowering times of loquat trees treated in Example 4 and Comparative Example 1 were statistically analyzed. The first flowering time was defined as the time when the first flower appeared in the same treatment group, and the end time was defined as when the number of flowers in the same treatment group was less than 10 or the day before the second flowering peak. The second flowering time was defined as the time when the number of flowers in the first flowering group suddenly exceeded 30 after a significant decrease in the number of flowers in the first flowering group, and the end time was defined as when the number of flowers in the second flowering group was less than 10 or the day before the third flowering peak. The third flowering time was defined as the time when the number of flowers in the second flowering group suddenly exceeded 20 after a significant decrease in the number of flowers in the first flowering group, and the end time was defined as when the number of flowers in the third flowering group was less than 5 or the day before the second flowering peak. There were no clear boundaries between the three flowering periods; it was clearly observed that the next flowering period was defined as a period of low flowering followed by a period of abundant flowering. The statistical results are shown in Table 1. Field photographs of Example 1, Example 3, and Comparative Example 1 taken on November 15, 2024 are shown below. Figure 1-2 As shown.

[0030] Table 1. Statistics on Flowering Time

[0031] The treatment method of using chili extract prepared in Examples 1 to 3 and spraying calcium nitrate can significantly delay the flowering period of loquat compared with spraying water and calcium nitrate at the same time. This shows that the chili extract provided by the present invention has a better effect on delaying the flowering period of loquat than the commonly used method of physical cooling by spraying water and spraying calcium nitrate.

[0032] The chili extract prepared in Example 2 showed better treatment results than the chili extract prepared in Example 1. This is likely because the relatively high temperature of 40°C combined with prolonged treatment accelerated the degradation of the active ingredients in the chili, leading to a reduction in the effective components. The chili extract prepared in Example 3 showed better treatment results than the chili extract prepared in Example 2. This is likely due to the increased concentration of the raw materials, resulting in a higher content of active ingredients in the sprayed diluted solution compared to the extract prepared in Example 2. This suggests that within a certain range, reducing the dilution ratio of the extract (increasing the extract content in the spray solution) may extend the flowering period by several days.

[0033] Furthermore, during the experiment, it was found that the treatment with the chili extracts prepared in Examples 1-3 resulted in almost no insect infestation in any of the inflorescences during the observation period. The harvested loquat fruits were of normal shape, with no cracked or deformed fruits observed (photographs of some loquat fruits from Example 3 group are shown below). Figure 3 As shown), the seeds and trees developed / grew normally, and no obvious adverse effects were observed. A panel of 20 professionals with sensory evaluation experience scored the loquat fruits of each treatment group on taste, sweetness, and aroma. The scoring results showed that there was no significant difference between the loquat fruits of Example 1-Example 3 and the fruits of Comparative Example 1.

[0034] Therefore, this invention provides a method for preparing a chili pepper extract. The method of alternately spraying the prepared chili pepper extract with calcium nitrate can effectively delay the flowering period of loquat by about 15 days. Experiments also show that the number of days the flowering period is delayed can be adjusted within a certain range by adjusting the concentration of the diluted chili pepper extract, thereby effectively avoiding cold waves, adjusting shelf life, and ensuring stable income for fruit farmers. The provided method for delaying the flowering period of loquat does not use toxic or harmful compounds or auxins, has no toxic side effects on loquat fruit or trees, has good local absorption capacity, is safe and effective, and poses no safety risks to consumers. The operation is simple, and the effect is stable. The provided chili pepper extract can extend the flowering period of loquat within a certain range and can be used for flowering period control during loquat cultivation.

[0035] Finally, it should be noted that the above embodiments are only used to illustrate the technical solutions of the present invention and not to limit them. Although the present invention has been described in detail with reference to preferred embodiments, those skilled in the art should understand that modifications or equivalent substitutions can still be made to the technical solutions of the present invention, and these modifications or equivalent substitutions cannot cause the modified technical solutions to deviate from the spirit and scope of the technical solutions of the present invention.

Claims

1. A chili extract, characterized in that, The preparation method of the chili extract is as follows: S1. Chop fresh dried chilies and grind them into powder, then pass the powder through an 80-100 mesh sieve; S2. Add 2-3 times the volume of dimethyl sulfoxide to the sieved powder, sonicate for 10-20 minutes, and treat at 25-30℃ and 200rpm for 1-3 hours.

2. The chili extract according to claim 1, characterized in that: The fresh dried chili peppers in S1 contain plump seeds.

3. The chili extract according to claim 1, characterized in that: The ultrasonic condition in S2 is 100Hz, and the temperature of the suspension is guaranteed not to exceed 40℃ during ultrasonication.

4. A flowering period regulating agent, characterized in that, The flowering period regulating agent uses the chili extract as described in any one of claims 1-3 as the active ingredient; the efficacy of the flowering period regulating agent is to delay the flowering period.

5. The application of the flowering period regulating agent as described in claim 4 in delaying the flowering period of loquat.

6. A method for delaying the flowering period of loquat, characterized in that, The steps are as follows: S1. Spray the chili extract according to any one of claims 1-3 on a sunny afternoon in August or September; S2. After spraying the chili extract according to any one of claims 1-3 for 10-15 days, spray with calcium nitrate at a concentration of 1-2%.

7. A method for delaying the flowering period of loquat according to claim 6, characterized in that: The chili extract in S1 is the chili extract after filtering out particulate matter, diluted at a ratio of 1:500-1000.

8. The method for delaying the flowering period of loquat according to claim 7, characterized in that: The diluent was obtained by diluting the chili extract with drinking water.

9. A method for delaying the flowering period of loquat according to claim 6, characterized in that: In both S1 and S2, the spraying sites are the tips of new shoots and the axillary buds near the tips of new shoots.

10. The application of a method for delaying the flowering period of loquat as described in any one of claims 6-9 in loquat cultivation.

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