A cultivation combination method for improving fruit setting rate of amomum tsao-ko

Abstract

The application discloses a cultivation combination method for improving fruit setting rate of Amomum tsao-ko, and belongs to the technical field of agricultural production, and comprises the following steps: S1, planting environment setting, the shading degree is set to 50-60%, the air humidity is maintained at 75-85%, and the humus soil PH is 5.5-6.5; S2, pre-flowering management, the water is supplied in the form of irrigation in the pre-flowering period, a small amount of drip irrigation is supplied in the full flowering period; leaf surface fertilizer is sprayed in the pre-flowering period; S3, interplanting of honey source plants, low plants are introduced, and the honey source plants have the same flowering period as Amomum tsao-ko or have cross; S4, artificial assisted pollination, artificial assistance is performed on pollen sowing in the Amomum tsao-ko flower cluster in the full flowering period; S5, management and maintenance of Amomum tsao-ko plant after harvesting, after Amomum tsao-ko fruits are harvested, the Amomum tsao-ko tree is pruned to supplement nutrition, and cold protection measures are increased; the application solves the problem that the pollination efficiency is low due to the flower structure and growth environment of Amomum tsao-ko, and the fruit setting rate is affected.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention belongs to the field of agricultural production technology, specifically relating to a cultivation combination method for improving the fruit setting rate of cardamom. Background Technology

[0002] Cardamom, a perennial evergreen clump-forming herb belonging to the Zingiberaceae family, is a unique medicinal and edible economic crop in southwestern my country. Its dried fruit possesses multiple values, including medicinal, edible, spice, and industrial raw material applications. In the medicinal field, cardamom has the effects of drying dampness and warming the middle jiao (spleen and stomach), treating malaria and eliminating phlegm, and is a commonly used traditional Chinese medicine listed in the *Chinese Pharmacopoeia*. In the edible and spice fields, its unique spicy aroma makes it a core ingredient in medium-compound seasonings in Chinese cooking, and also a key ingredient in Southeast Asian cuisine, with market demand showing continuous and stable growth. In recent years, with the extension of the cardamom industry chain, such as the promotion of deep-processed products and understory economic models, its planting scale has continued to expand, becoming one of the important economic crops for increasing income and wealth for farmers in the mountainous areas of southwestern China.

[0003] The fruit set rate of cardamom is a key factor affecting its yield. During the flowering stage, the golden period for pollination is when the anthers dehisce and release pollen after the flowers open. The success rate of pollination at this time directly determines the subsequent fruit set rate. Although cardamom is a monoecious plant capable of self-pollination, its unique flower structure causes pollen grains to clump together due to small fleshy spines, making natural dispersion difficult. Furthermore, the stigma is higher than the pollen sac, and the pistil and stamens are covered by the large lip, further hindering self-pollination. Therefore, pollination in cardamom cultivation still requires natural pollination by insects. The pollination is mainly concentrated near the roots of the cardamom tree. Because cardamom thrives in shady areas, its low height and the resulting shade make pollination difficult during its flowering period. Among the pollinating insects that cardamom relies on, honeybees, as the most efficient pollinators, only handle about 30% of the pollination work under natural conditions. Thrips, small, low-flying insects, can also pollinate cardamom, but their small size and low pollen-carrying capacity result in low pollination efficiency. Combined with the special growth location and environment of cardamom flowers, the pollination efficiency is further reduced. All these factors restrict the pollination rate during the cardamom flowering period, thus affecting the fruit set rate. Summary of the Invention

[0004] This invention provides a cultivation combination method to improve the fruit setting rate of cardamom. Based on natural pollination by insects, it introduces low-growing nectar-producing crops that flower at the same time and grow in the same environment as cardamom, providing ample food for bees and increasing their distribution density in the area, thereby improving pollination efficiency. Combined with artificial pollination, it increases the binding rate of pollen on the stigma of cardamom flowers, further improving pollination success. This invention solves the problem of low pollination efficiency and reduced fruit setting rate caused by the flower structure and growing environment of cardamom.

[0005] To achieve the above-mentioned technical objectives, the present invention is implemented through the following technical solution: A cultivation combination method for improving the fruit setting rate of cardamom includes the following steps: S1: Planting environment setup: Set the overall shade level of the planting environment to 50-60%, maintain the air humidity at 75-85%, provide loose organic humus soil for cultivation, and control the pH at 5.5-6.5. S2: Pre-flowering management: Water is supplied in the form of irrigation during the pre-flowering period. During the peak flowering period, watering is supplied according to soil moisture. If watering is needed, it is supplied in small amounts and frequently through drip irrigation. Spray foliar fertilizer before flowering; S3: Intercropping nectar source plants: Planting nectar source plants around the cardamom planting base and in an intercropping manner with cardamom. The nectar source plants are selected from low-growing plant varieties that have the same or overlapping flowering period as cardamom. S4: Artificial pollination, during the peak flowering period, pollen is artificially dispersed in the grass flower clusters; S5: Post-harvest management and maintenance of cardamom trees. After the cardamom fruits are harvested, pruning the cardamom trees is ineffective and wastes resources. Timely replenishment of nutrients during the dormant period and regulation of soil moisture and temperature are necessary. Cold protection measures should be taken for the main trunk of the cardamom trees.

[0006] Preferably, the planting environment is a semi-shaded slope with a slope of less than 30°, the overall shading degree is controlled at 55%, and the air humidity is maintained at 80%; the pH of the organic humus soil is controlled at 6.

[0007] Preferably, the spacing between cardamom plants is set to 1.5 to 2 meters, and the row spacing is set to 2 to 3 meters.

[0008] Preferably, the watering before flowering should be determined based on natural rainfall and whether there are natural ditches for watering near the planting environment; if natural rainfall is insufficient and the soil is dry, watering should be carried out in time; if natural rainfall is abundant, drainage ditches should be built to drain excess water in time to avoid water accumulation at the roots of the cardamom and root rot.

[0009] Preferably, the foliar fertilizer is a 0.1%~0.3% potassium dihydrogen phosphate solution, sprayed once every 10~15 days, evenly sprayed on the surface of the cardamom plant leaves, and sprayed 2~3 times consecutively.

[0010] Preferably, the nectar source plants include at least one or more of the following combinations: milkvetch, cosmos, honesty, hairy vetch, and dwarf cornflower; The nectar source plants are planted using a combination of inter-row strip planting and perimeter strip planting. The inter-row strip planting is carried out between two adjacent rows of cardamom plants, with a spacing of 2 to 3 meters between adjacent rows of nectar source plants. The perimeter strip planting is carried out radially around the cardamom planting area, with a row spacing of 2 to 3 meters between the plants.

[0011] Preferably, the combination of nectar source plants is set as follows: Orychophragmus violaceus + Vigna arvensis + Dwarf Cornflower; Orychophragmus violaceus and Vigna arvensis are planted between the rows of cardamom as the main nectar source plants; Dwarf Cornflower is planted around the planting area, in addition to serving as a nectar source plant, to attract pollinating insects into the cardamom planting area for pollination.

[0012] Preferably, the coverage rate of the nectar source plants in the cardamom planting area is no more than 15%, of which the coverage rate of the nectar source plants sown in the inter-row is no more than 10%, and the coverage rate of the nectar source plants planted in the surrounding strips is no more than 5%.

[0013] Preferably, pruning leaves that would obstruct the flowering of cardamom plants at low locations creates low-lying shrubs, resulting in unobstructed areas within the cardamom flower clusters during peak flowering. This enhances air circulation in the area where the cardamom flowers are located, which helps with pollen dispersal and provides ample space for pollinating insects such as bees.

[0014] Preferably, the artificial pollination involves mixing the collected pollen with talcum powder in a 1:5 ratio, filling the mixture into a bottle, and opening a small hole with a diameter of 0.5-1 mm at the bottle outlet. The bottle is then positioned 10-15 cm above the cardamom flower cluster, and the bottle is shaken to allow the pollen to leak out from the bottle. The airflow is then used to scatter the pollen onto the stigma of the cardamom flower.

[0015] The beneficial effects of this invention are: This invention provides a cultivation combination method to improve the fruit setting rate of cardamom. By combining the special location of cardamom flower clusters, low-growing nectar-producing plants that bloom at the same time as cardamom are introduced into the cardamom planting area through intercropping. This provides sufficient nectar for pollinating insects such as bees, increases the coverage density of bees in the cardamom planting base, and improves the efficiency and success rate of bees pollinating cardamom. Compared with natural pollination by bees without intervention, this significantly improves the fruit setting rate of cardamom in the later stage. In the same space between nectar-producing plants and cardamom flower clusters, remove leaves that obstruct the flower clusters beneath the cardamom plants, as well as low shrubs and weeds that may cause obstruction. This frees up vertical and horizontal space between the nectar-producing plants and cardamom flower clusters, providing ample space for air circulation, increasing the rate of pollen diffusion, and also providing unobstructed flight space for bees to pollinate in the area, thus improving pollination efficiency and success rate; further enhancing the fruit set rate of cardamom.

[0016] Artificial pollination fills the gaps and potential blind spots in natural bee pollination; it ensures that all grass and fruit flowers are pollinated as much as possible. Attached Figure Description

[0017] To more clearly illustrate the technical solutions of the embodiments of the present invention, the accompanying drawings used in the description of the embodiments 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.

[0018] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the cultivation combination method for improving the fruit setting rate of cardamom provided by the present invention. Detailed Implementation

[0019] The technical solutions of the embodiments of the present invention will be clearly and completely described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Obviously, the described embodiments are only some embodiments of the present invention, and not all embodiments. Based on the embodiments of the present invention, all other embodiments obtained by those skilled in the art without creative effort are within the scope of protection of the present invention.

[0020] Example 1 A cultivation combination method for improving the fruit setting rate of cardamom includes the following steps: S1: Planting environment setup: Select a semi-shaded slope with a slope of less than 30°, control the overall shade level at 55%, maintain the air humidity at 80%, and use loose organic humus soil for cultivation with a pH of 6. The spacing between cardamom plants should be 1.5 to 2 meters, and the row spacing should be 2 to 3 meters. S2: Pre-flowering management, water supply is mainly concentrated in the pre-flowering stage, mainly in the form of irrigation. Irrigation during the peak flowering period can easily cause the soil temperature to drop, slowing down the rate at which the roots of the cardamom tree absorb nutrients, resulting in insufficient nutrient supply to the flowers in a short period of time, which can easily lead to a large number of flowers falling off and directly damaging the fruit setting foundation. Depending on the soil moisture, if there is sufficient natural rainfall or natural ditches next to the cardamom plants, there is no need to supplement the cardamom trees with water. If there is too much natural rainfall, drainage ditches should be dug in time to divert water to avoid water accumulation at the roots of the cardamom trees, which can easily cause root rot. For cardamom trees that have entered their full bloom period, if there is insufficient water, water should be replenished by drip irrigation, and water should be replenished in small amounts and frequently to allow the cardamom root system to gradually adapt and avoid affecting the root system's absorption of nutrients. Before flowering, potassium dihydrogen phosphate can be applied to the cardamom tree by foliar spraying. The potassium dihydrogen phosphate solution should be sprayed at a concentration of 0.1% to 0.3%, once every 10 to 15 days. Spray evenly on the surface of the cardamom tree leaves, and spray 2 to 3 times consecutively. Potassium dihydrogen phosphate can promote flower bud differentiation, increase the number and fullness of flowers, reduce the number of flowers that fall off later, and thus improve the fruit set rate. S3: Intercropping of nectar source plants. The nectar source plants are planted in a combination of row sowing and perimeter strip planting. The row sowing of nectar source plants is done between two adjacent rows of cardamom, with a spacing of 2 to 3 meters between adjacent rows. The perimeter strip planting is done by planting nectar source plants radially along the edge of the cardamom planting area, with the row spacing also set at 2 to 3 meters. The nectar source plants selected in this embodiment are: Orychophragmus violaceus, Vigna arvensis, and Dwarf Cornflower. All three plants have the function of being nectar source plants. Among them, Orychophragmus violaceus has strong self-seeding ability and is easy to survive; Vigna arvensis has nitrogen-fixing ability in its root system, which can provide natural nitrogen fertilizer for the cardamom plant, and Vigna arvensis is a plant with high nectar production; Dwarf Cornflower can attract small pollinating insects. The three plant species are planted as follows: February Orchid and Hairy Vetch are planted between the rows of Amomum villosum as the main nectar source plants; Dwarf Cornflower is planted around the planting area, which, in addition to serving as a nectar source plant, can also attract pollinating insects to enter the Amomum villosum planting area for pollination, thereby improving pollination efficiency; the coverage rate of nectar source plants planted between the rows is controlled at 10%, while the coverage rate of nectar source plants planted in the surrounding strips is controlled at 5%.

[0021] Post-harvest management and maintenance of cardamom trees include: pruning the trees after harvesting the cardamom fruit to reduce waste, replenishing nutrients during dormancy, and regulating soil moisture and temperature; taking frost protection measures for the main trunk of the cardamom trees; and ensuring adequate nutrition and frost protection for the cardamom trees in the previous year to ensure good tree vigor and a sufficient number and fullness of flower buds in the following year.

[0022] Example 2 Based on Example 1, this example involves spatial adjustments during the peak flowering period of *Amomum villosum*. The area where the flower clusters and nectar-producing plants coexist at low altitudes is modified. Leaves that might obstruct the flower clusters at low altitudes are removed. Additionally, low shrubs and weeds between the *Amomum villosum* and nectar-producing plants are cleared away, creating an unobstructed area where the symbiotic space is primarily provided by the upper leaves and upper trees of the *Amomum villosum*. Removing obstacles from this symbiotic area enhances air circulation, thereby increasing the rate of pollen dispersal. Furthermore, providing sufficient space for pollinating insects to fly and collect nectar increases their activity coverage and improves the pollination rate.

[0023] Example 3 Based on Example 1, this example adds artificial pollination. The collected pollen is mixed with talcum powder in a ratio of 1:5 and put into a bottle. A small hole with a diameter of 0.5-1mm is opened at the bottle outlet. The bottle is placed 10-15cm above the cardamom flower cluster and shaken to allow the pollen to leak out from the bottle. The airflow is used to scatter the pollen onto the stigma of the cardamom flower.

[0024] Example 4 The cultivation method in this embodiment is completely the same as that in Embodiment 1, except for the selection of the nectar source plant. In this embodiment, only February Orchid is selected as the single nectar source plant.

[0025] Example 5 The cultivation method in this embodiment is completely the same as that in Embodiment 1, except for the selection of the nectar source plant. In this embodiment, only hairy vetch is selected as the single nectar source plant.

[0026] Example 6 The cultivation method in this embodiment is completely the same as that in Embodiment 1, except for the selection of nectar source plants. In this embodiment, only dwarf cornflower is selected as the sole nectar source plant.

[0027] Example 7 The planting methods of Example 1, Example 2 and Example 3 are combined synergistically.

[0028] Comparative Example 1 In this comparative example, pear trees and alpine rhododendrons were selected as the nectar source plants. Mature alpine rhododendrons can reach a height of 2-3 meters, and their flower clusters are much taller than those of cardamom. Mature pear trees can reach a height of 3-5 meters, and their flower clusters are much taller than those of cardamom. The flowering periods of the two trees overlap with those of cardamom. Apart from the different selection of nectar source plants, the planting methods and conditions are consistent with those in Example 1.

[0029] Comparative Example 2 This comparative example omits the intercropping of nectar-producing plants and fully adopts the traditional natural pollination method. The remaining planting methods and conditions are completely consistent with those in Example 1.

[0030] In this experiment, the planting environment of the cardamom planting areas was the same. For Examples 1-6 and Comparative Examples 1-2, the planting area for each group was defined as one acre, with 150 cardamom trees randomly selected from each acre. Excess cardamom trees were not included in the sampling range. The sampling data for each group came from the 150 cardamom trees within that group's area. Non-physiological fruit drop caused by pests, diseases, mechanical damage, or extreme weather was excluded, and the number of such fruit drops was recorded separately to avoid affecting the accuracy of the fruit set rate. Data was collected from... Early fruit set rate (%) = (Number of young fruits in T1 stage / Total number of flowers) * 100% (If a flower is not pollinated or falls off immediately after pollination, it is not counted in the number of young fruits). Final fruit set rate (%) = (Number of stable fruits at T2 stage / Total number of flowers) * 100% Table 1. Fruit set rate statistics for Examples 1-6 and Comparative Examples 1-2 Results Analysis: The combination and distribution planting method of dwarf nectar source plants provided by the present invention have a higher pollination rate and a significantly improved fruit set rate compared with woody trees as nectar source plants in Comparative Example 1, or the use of any single dwarf nectar source plant in Examples 4 to 6. Furthermore, the introduction of nectar source plants in Example 1, compared with the complete reliance on natural pollination in Comparative Example 2, shows a significant difference in fruit set rate. Example 2 involved removing obstacles in the low-lying space where cardamom flowers and nectar-producing plants coexisted, resulting in a significantly higher fruit set rate compared to Example 1. In addition to natural pollination, artificial pollination was also used in Example 3, which resulted in a significantly higher fruit set rate compared to Example 1 and also compared to Example 2. Example 7 combines Examples 1, 2, and 3, and shows a significant improvement in fruit set rate compared to any one of them.

Claims

1. A cultivation combination method for improving the fruit setting rate of Amomum tsao-ko, characterized in that, Includes the following steps: S1: Planting environment setup: Set the overall shade level of the planting environment to 50-60%, maintain the air humidity at 75-85%, provide loose organic humus soil for cultivation, and control the pH at 5.5-6.

5. S2: Pre-flowering management: Water is supplied in the form of irrigation during the pre-flowering period. During the peak flowering period, watering is supplied according to soil moisture. If watering is needed, it is supplied in small amounts and frequently through drip irrigation. Spray foliar fertilizer before flowering; S3: Intercropping nectar source plants: Planting nectar source plants around the cardamom planting base and in the form of intercropping of cardamom. The nectar source plants are selected from low-growing plant varieties that have the same or overlapping flowering period as cardamom. S4: Artificial pollination, during the peak flowering period, pollen is artificially dispersed in the grass flower clusters; S5: Post-harvest management and maintenance of cardamom trees. After the cardamom fruits are harvested, pruning the cardamom trees is ineffective and wastes resources. Timely replenishment of nutrients during the dormant period and regulation of soil moisture and temperature are necessary. Cold protection measures should be taken for the main trunk of the cardamom trees.

2. The cultivation combination method for improving the fruit setting rate of cardamom according to claim 1, characterized in that, The planting environment is selected on a semi-shaded slope with a slope of less than 30°, the overall shading degree is controlled at 55%, and the air humidity is maintained at 80%; the pH of the organic humus soil is controlled at 6.

3. The cultivation combination method for improving the fruit setting rate of cardamom according to claim 1, characterized in that, The spacing between cardamom plants is set at 1.5 to 2 meters, and the row spacing is set at 2 to 3 meters.

4. The cultivation combination method for improving the fruit setting rate of cardamom according to claim 1, characterized in that, The timing of watering before flowering depends on natural rainfall and whether there are natural ditches nearby for water replenishment. If there is insufficient natural rainfall and the soil is dry, watering should be carried out in time. If there is abundant natural rainfall, drainage ditches should be built to drain excess water in time to avoid water accumulation at the roots of the cardamom and root rot.

5. The cultivation combination method for improving the fruit setting rate of cardamom according to claim 1, characterized in that, The foliar fertilizer uses a 0.1%~0.3% potassium dihydrogen phosphate solution, sprayed once every 10~15 days, evenly sprayed on the surface of the cardamom plant leaves, and sprayed 2~3 times consecutively.

6. The cultivation combination method for improving the fruit setting rate of cardamom according to claim 1, characterized in that, The nectar source plants include at least one or more of the following combinations: milkvetch, cosmos, honesty, hairy vetch, and dwarf cornflower; The nectar source plants are planted using a combination of inter-row strip planting and perimeter strip planting. The inter-row strip planting is carried out between two adjacent rows of cardamom plants, with a spacing of 2 to 3 meters between adjacent rows of nectar source plants. The perimeter strip planting is carried out radially around the cardamom planting area, with a row spacing of 2 to 3 meters between the plants.

7. A cultivation combination method for improving the fruit setting rate of cardamom according to claim 6, characterized in that, The nectar source plant combination is set as follows: Orychophragmus violaceus + Vigna arvensis + Dwarf Cornflower; Orychophragmus violaceus and Vigna arvensis are planted between the rows of cardamom as the main nectar source plants; Dwarf Cornflower is planted around the planting area, in addition to serving as a nectar source plant, it is used to attract pollinating insects into the cardamom planting area for pollination.

8. The cultivation combination method for improving the fruit setting rate of cardamom according to claim 1, characterized in that, The coverage rate of the nectar source plants in the cardamom planting area shall not exceed 15%, of which the coverage rate of the nectar source plants sown in the rows shall not exceed 10%, and the coverage rate of the nectar source plants planted in the surrounding strips shall not exceed 5%.

9. A cultivation combination method for improving the fruit setting rate of cardamom according to claim 1, characterized in that, Prune the leaves of cardamom plants that are low to the ground and would obstruct the cardamom flowers. During the peak flowering period of cardamom, prune the low-lying shrubs to create an unobstructed area in the space between the cardamom flowers.

10. A cultivation combination method for improving the fruit setting rate of cardamom according to claim 1, characterized in that, The artificial pollination involves mixing collected pollen with talcum powder in a 1:5 ratio, filling the mixture into a bottle with a small hole of 0.5-1 mm at the bottle outlet, and shaking the bottle 10-15 cm above the cardamom flower cluster to allow pollen to leak out from the bottle. The airflow is then used to scatter the pollen onto the stigma of the cardamom flower.

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