Method for regulating the flowering period of male and female flowers of zanthoxylum bungeanum

Abstract

The application discloses a kind of no pricklyash male and female flower flowering period synchronous regulation and control method, belong to plant cultivation technical field.The method includes: flower bud differentiation period is applied to control nitrogen and increase phosphorus and potassium special base fertilizer, and female plant is sprayed with the first flower regulating nutrient agent consisting of potassium dihydrogen phosphate, borax, zinc sulfate and brassinolide;Pruning and clearing garden are carried out during dormancy period;Male tree disc is covered with cooling during germination and bud stage, and the whole garden is applied to phosphorus and potassium type quick-acting fertilizer, and is sprayed with the second flower regulating nutrient agent consisting of potassium dihydrogen phosphate, calcium magnesium phosphate fertilizer, gibberellin and amino acid water-soluble fertilizer;According to the development of male flower and female flower, once directional fine adjustment is carried out using regulating agent before flowering period, and borax and cane sugar mixed solution are sprayed during initial flowering period.The present application is precisely controlled in stages and differentially intervened in male and female, so that the overlapping time of male and female flower full flowering period reaches more than 7 days, the fruit setting rate is increased to 82.5%, the yield per plant is increased by more than 2 times, and the operation is simple, low in cost, suitable for large-scale popularization.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention belongs to the field of plant cultivation technology, specifically relating to a method for regulating the flowering period of plants of the genus Zanthoxylum in the Rutaceae family, and particularly to a method for synchronously regulating the flowering periods of male and female flowers of thornless Zanthoxylum. Background Technology

[0002] Thornless Sichuan pepper (Zanthoxylum bungeanum) is a superior cultivated variety or selected cultivar in the Rutaceae family, Zanthoxylum genus, where the thorns on the branches and leaf axes are reduced or absent (such as "Ryujin Sichuan pepper" and "Asakura Sichuan pepper"). Due to its ease of harvesting, low management costs, and high economic value, it has been widely introduced and cultivated in southwestern and eastern my country. However, under natural cultivation conditions, thornless Sichuan pepper generally suffers from the core problem of asynchronous flowering of male and female flowers. Specifically, male flower buds differentiate faster than female flowers, and their development cycle after spring budding is short, resulting in male flowers typically blooming 5-7 days earlier than female flowers, and sometimes even male flowers withering before female flowers open. This directly leads to a natural pollination success rate of less than 30%, low fruit set rate, and severely restricts the yield increase and industrial development of thornless Sichuan pepper.

[0003] Currently, conventional cultivation management for thornless Sichuan pepper mainly focuses on basic agronomic measures, such as: applying base fertilizer mainly composed of organic fertilizer and NPK compound fertilizer in autumn; applying quick-acting nitrogen fertilizer before bud break in spring; and pest and disease control and pruning management throughout the entire cycle. However, these conventional approaches have significant drawbacks: First, water and fertilizer supply lacks specificity; excessive nitrogen fertilizer in autumn can exacerbate the rapid development of male flower buds, further widening the development time difference between male and female flowers. Second, existing technologies only focus on "flower and fruit preservation" after flowering, rather than "flowering time matching" before pollination. For example, flower and fruit preservation is achieved by spraying gibberellin and potassium dihydrogen phosphate during peak flowering; or by thinning weak flowers and spraying boron fertilizer and brassinolide to improve flower quality. Intervening only after flower formation or during peak flowering cannot fundamentally solve the pollination problem caused by the asynchronous development of male and female flowers; it is a passive remedial measure that "treats the symptoms but not the root cause."

[0004] In addition, while existing studies have mentioned that temperature control, variety selection, or artificial pollination can improve fruit set rate to some extent, these methods are either costly and difficult to scale up (such as artificial pollination), or the effects are unstable and cannot be accurately matched with the peak flowering period of male and female flowers, so the improvement in natural pollination rate is still limited.

[0005] Therefore, developing a low-cost, easy-to-operate synchronous regulation method that can fundamentally solve the problem of asynchronous flowering of male and female flowers in thornless Sichuan pepper is a technical challenge that urgently needs to be addressed in this field. Summary of the Invention

[0006] Therefore, the purpose of this invention is to provide a method for synchronously regulating the flowering period of male and female flowers of thornless Sichuan pepper, so as to solve the problems of mismatched natural flowering periods of male and female flowers and low pollination rate in the prior art, and to achieve precise matching of the peak flowering periods of male and female flowers.

[0007] Through long-term exploration and experimentation, and continuous reform and innovation, the inventor has provided a technical solution to solve the above-mentioned technical problems: a method for synchronously regulating the flowering period of male and female flowers of thornless Sichuan pepper, comprising the following steps: (a) Regulation of flower bud differentiation period: From early September to late October each year, apply a special base fertilizer for controlling nitrogen and increasing phosphorus and potassium, and spray the female plants with the first flower-regulating nutrient agent to delay the differentiation of male flower buds and promote the differentiation of female flower buds. (b) Dormant period management: Winter pruning and garden cleanup shall be carried out from early November to late January of the following year; (c) Coordinated regulation during bud break and bud appearance: Before bud break in February, cover the base of male trees to lower the temperature. Apply phosphorus and potassium-based quick-acting fertilizer to the entire orchard and spray a second flower-regulating nutrient agent to reduce the difference in development between male and female flower buds; (d) Assistance before flowering to peak flowering: From the end of February to the middle of March, selectively make one directional fine adjustment according to the development of male and female flowers, and spray the flower-preserving pollination solution at the initial flowering stage so that the peak flowering period of male and female peppers overlaps by more than 7 days.

[0008] Compared with the prior art, the beneficial effects of the present invention are as follows: This invention fundamentally solves the problem of inconsistent development speed of male and female flowers in thornless Sichuan pepper. It achieves this through a three-dimensional synergistic regulation model of "controlling male flowers and promoting female flowers" by applying nitrogen-controlled and phosphorus- and potassium-enhanced base fertilizer and targeted nutrient sprays during flower bud differentiation, covering and cooling male plants during bud break and differentiated water and fertilizer management, and making slight directional adjustments before flowering. This extends the overlap of male and female flowering periods from 1-2 days under natural conditions to more than 7 days, thereby increasing the natural pollination rate to over 85% without artificial pollination, raising the fruit set rate from 21.3% to 82.5%, and more than doubling the yield per plant. Furthermore, this invention utilizes conventional agronomic practices and readily available materials throughout the process, making it simple to operate, low-cost, and suitable for mechanized promotion in large-scale orchards, significantly improving the economic benefits of thornless Sichuan pepper cultivation.

[0009] Based on the above technical solution, the present invention can be further improved as follows: Further: The nitrogen-controlling and phosphorus- and potassium-increasing special base fertilizer mentioned in step (a) is composed of the following components: 2000-2500 kg / mu of well-rotted farmyard manure, 50 kg / mu of superphosphate, 30 kg / mu of potassium sulfate, and 2 kg / mu of boron-zinc-calcium compound micro-fertilizer.

[0010] Compared with the existing technology, the beneficial effects of adopting the above-mentioned further technical solution are as follows: By reducing nitrogen supply and increasing the application of phosphorus, potassium, and micronutrients, the development speed of male flowers is effectively slowed down and the differentiation of female flowers is accelerated from the root of flower bud differentiation. This significantly reduces the initial developmental difference between male and female flower buds, laying a decisive foundation for subsequent synchronous flowering.

[0011] Further: The application of phosphorus and potassium type quick-acting fertilizer in step (c) specifically means: applying 20 kg of potassium dihydrogen phosphate and 5 kg of urea per mu, and the water and fertilizer management time for female plants is 5-7 days earlier than that for male plants.

[0012] By advancing the water and fertilizer management of female plants by 5-7 days compared to male plants, the time difference was used to precisely promote the development of female flowers and effectively control the development of male flowers, further narrowing the difference in the development process of male and female flower buds, and laying a key foundation for precise synchronization during the peak flowering period.

[0013] Based on the above technical solution, the present invention can be further improved as follows: Further: The first flower conditioning nutrient agent described in step (a) comprises: 0.2% potassium dihydrogen phosphate, 0.1% borax, 0.05% zinc sulfate and 0.001% brassinolide; the spraying frequency is once every 10 days, for a total of 3 sprays.

[0014] Preferably, the concentration of the active ingredient brassinolide is 0.01%.

[0015] Compared with the existing technology, the beneficial effects of adopting the above-mentioned further technical solution are as follows: By selectively supplementing phosphorus, potassium, boron, zinc, and brassinolide, cell division and floral differentiation of female flower buds are precisely activated, thereby significantly accelerating the development of female flowers during the flower bud differentiation period and narrowing the initial developmental gap with male flowers from the source.

[0016] Based on the above technical solution, the present invention can be further improved as follows: Further: The application of phosphorus and potassium type quick-acting fertilizer in step (c) specifically means: applying 20 kg of potassium dihydrogen phosphate and 5 kg of urea per mu, and the water and fertilizer management time for female plants is 5-7 days earlier than that for male plants.

[0017] Compared with the existing technology, the beneficial effects of adopting the above-mentioned further technical solution are as follows: By using a low-nitrogen, high-phosphorus, and high-potassium ratio to suppress the excessively rapid development of male flowers, and combining this with a differentiated strategy of managing female plants 5-7 days earlier, the development time difference between male and female flowers was further precisely compressed, laying the foundation for synchronized flowering.

[0018] Based on the above technical solution, the present invention can be further improved as follows: Further: The second flower-conditioning nutrient agent mentioned in step (c) comprises: 0.3% potassium dihydrogen phosphate, 0.15% calcium magnesium phosphate, 0.005% gibberellin and 0.5% amino acid water-soluble fertilizer; the spraying frequency is once every 15 days, and two consecutive sprays are applied.

[0019] Preferably, the purity of the active ingredient in the gibberellin is 92%.

[0020] Compared with the existing technology, the beneficial effects of adopting the above-mentioned further technical solution are as follows: This method achieves a synergistic effect of nutrient supplementation and hormone regulation by spraying a specific compound nutrient agent during the budding and budding stage, which precisely promotes the development of female flowers and improves the quality of flower parts, thereby effectively narrowing the development gap between male and female flower buds.

[0021] Based on the above technical solution, the present invention can be further improved as follows: Further: The cooling of the male tree basin described in step (c) is specifically achieved by covering it with straw with a thickness of 5-10cm.

[0022] Compared with the existing technology, the beneficial effects of adopting the above-mentioned further technical solution are as follows: By covering the base of male trees with straw to lower the temperature, the germination and development of male flowers can be further precisely slowed down, making their development rhythm more matched with that of female flowers, thereby effectively extending the overlap of the peak flowering periods of male and female flowers.

[0023] Based on the above technical solution, the present invention can be further improved as follows: Further: The directional fine-tuning described in step (d) specifically involves: if the male flowers develop too quickly, spray the male flower branches with a 500-fold diluted chlormequat chloride solution; if the female flowers develop too slowly, spray the female flower branches with a 10 mg / kg gibberellin solution; this fine-tuning is performed only once.

[0024] Compared with the existing technology, the beneficial effects of adopting the above-mentioned further technical solution are as follows: By making a one-time directional fine-tuning based on the developmental differences between male and female flowers before the flowering period, the final time difference between the peak flowering periods of male and female flowers can be precisely eliminated, ensuring the stable realization of synchronized flowering, without causing flower deformities or disordered tree growth due to excessive regulation.

[0025] Based on the above technical solution, the present invention can be further improved as follows: Further: The pollination solution described in step (d) is a mixed solution of 0.2% borax and 0.1% sucrose.

[0026] Compared with the existing technology, the beneficial effects of adopting the above-mentioned further technical solution are as follows: By spraying a mixed solution of 0.2% borax and 0.1% sucrose at the initial flowering stage, pollen tube elongation can be effectively promoted and energy can be provided for pollen germination, further extending pollen activity and pollination validity period, thereby maximizing natural pollination efficiency and fruit set rate on the basis of synchronous flowering. Attached Figure Description

[0027] To more clearly illustrate the technical solutions of the embodiments of the present invention, the accompanying drawings used in the embodiments will be briefly introduced below. It should be understood that the following drawings only show some embodiments of the present invention and should not be regarded as a limitation of the scope. For those skilled in the art, other related drawings can be obtained from these drawings without creative effort.

[0028] Figure 1 These are comparative photos of the male flower development status of the experimental group and the control group of this invention. Figure 1 In the diagram, A represents the male flowers of the thornless Sichuan pepper (Zanthoxylum bungeanum) control group, and B represents the male flowers of the thornless Sichuan pepper (Zanthoxylum bungeanum) experimental group.

[0029] Figure 2 These are comparative photos of the overlapping flowering periods of male and female flowers in the experimental group of this invention. Figure 2 In the diagram, A and B are male flowers from the experimental group, and C is a female flower from the Asakura pepper. Detailed Implementation

[0030] The following description is based on specific embodiments.

[0031] To make the objectives, technical solutions, and advantages of the embodiments of the present invention clearer, the technical solutions in the embodiments of the present invention will be clearly and completely described below in conjunction with the embodiments of the present invention. Obviously, the described embodiments are only a part of the embodiments of the present invention, not all of them. 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. Therefore, the following detailed description of the embodiments of the present invention is not intended to limit the scope of the claimed invention, but merely to represent selected embodiments of the present invention.

[0032] In this invention, unless otherwise specified, all equipment and raw materials are available from the market or commonly used in the industry. Unless otherwise specified, the methods in the following embodiments are conventional methods in the art. Example 1

[0033] This embodiment describes a method for synchronizing the flowering period of Asakura sansho.

[0034] This embodiment uses the thornless Japanese pepper variety "Asakura Sansho" (Zanthoxylum piperitum 'Asakura Sansho') as the experimental subject. The experimental site is located at a thornless pepper planting base in Neijiang City, Sichuan Province. The trees are 5 years old, vigorous, and under consistent cultivation and management conditions. The experiment was divided into a treatment group treated by the method of this invention (hereinafter referred to as the "experimental group") and a conventional cultivation control group (hereinafter referred to as the "control group"), with 30 plants in each group and 3 replicates. The detailed operation steps are as follows: I. Experimental Group (I) Directional regulation during flower bud differentiation (early September to late October) Optimized application of base fertilizer: On September 5th, dig a circular trench 20-30cm deep at the drip line of the tree canopy, and apply a nitrogen-controlled, phosphorus- and potassium-enhancing base fertilizer to each tree. The specific dosage is calculated per acre as follows: 2000kg of well-rotted farmyard manure, 50kg of superphosphate, 30kg of potassium sulfate, and 2kg of boron-zinc-calcium compound micronutrient fertilizer. After fertilization, cover the soil with soil promptly and water thoroughly to reduce nitrogen supply, delay male flower bud differentiation, and at the same time provide sufficient phosphorus, potassium, and micronutrients for female flower bud differentiation.

[0035] First application of flower-conditioning nutrient solution: Apply the first application of flower-conditioning nutrient solution evenly to both sides of the leaves of female plants on September 10th, September 20th, and September 30th (once every 10 days, for 3 consecutive times), before 9:00 AM or after 4:00 PM. The first application of flower-conditioning nutrient solution is a compound of the following components: 0.2% potassium dihydrogen phosphate, 0.1% borax, 0.05% zinc sulfate, and 0.001% brassinolide (0.01% active ingredient). The application amount should be enough to moisten the leaves without dripping. This step aims to activate the division of female flower bud cells through brassinolide, and accelerate the differentiation of female flower buds in conjunction with phosphorus and potassium fertilizers and trace elements.

[0036] (II) Dormant period maintenance (early November to late January of the following year) Winter pruning was carried out on November 10th, removing diseased, weak, overgrown, and overly dense branches, while retaining healthy fruiting branches. No fertilizer was applied during the dormant period, and the soil moisture content was maintained at 50%-60% of field capacity to prevent waterlogging and freezing, which could damage the roots and flower buds.

[0037] (III) Coordinated regulation during the budding and blossoming stage (February) Cooling down male trees by covering them with straw: On February 5th (when spring temperatures begin to rise), cover the base of male trees with a layer of straw 5-10cm thick to lower the ground temperature and slow down the budding of male flowers.

[0038] Differentiated water and fertilizer management: On February 10th (half a month before bud break), female plants should be treated with water and fertilizer first, followed by male plants on February 15th, 5 days earlier than male plants. Fertilizer should be applied by hole application or broadcasting, using 20 kg of potassium dihydrogen phosphate and 5 kg of urea per acre, followed by thorough watering. The small amount of urea applied aims to prevent male flowers from developing too quickly while meeting the basic needs of the tree.

[0039] Second application of flower-conditioning nutrient solution: On February 10th and February 25th (once every 15 days, twice consecutively), spray the entire garden (male and female plants) evenly with the second flower-conditioning nutrient solution before 9:00 AM or after 4:00 PM. The second flower-conditioning nutrient solution is a compound of the following components: 0.3% potassium dihydrogen phosphate, 0.15% calcium magnesium phosphate, 0.005% gibberellin (92% effective ingredient), and 0.5% amino acid water-soluble fertilizer. This step aims to utilize gibberellin to promote bud formation in both male and female flowers, amino acids to enhance flower bud vitality, and phosphorus, potassium, and calcium fertilizers to promote robust flower development.

[0040] (iv) Pre-flowering adjustments and peak flowering assistance (late February to mid-March) Pre-flowering directional fine-tuning: Observations on February 28th revealed that male flowers developed slightly faster than female flowers after budding. The male flower branches were immediately sprayed with a 500-fold diluted solution of chlormequat chloride (50% active ingredient) to moderately delay male flower opening. This fine-tuning was only performed once to avoid over-regulation leading to flower deformities.

[0041] Nutritional support during the initial flowering stage: On March 5th, when the male and female flowers enter the initial flowering stage (opening rate of about 15%), spray the entire garden with a pollination and flower protection solution. The formula is a mixed solution of 0.2% borax and 0.1% sucrose to promote pollen tube elongation, enhance pollen viability, and prolong pollen life.

[0042] Water, fertilizer, and plant protection management: Do not apply fertilizer throughout the flowering period, and maintain soil moisture content at 60%-65% of field capacity. Do not spray broad-spectrum pesticides during the flowering period. If aphids are found, use yellow sticky traps to kill them, avoiding harming pollinating insects.

[0043] II. Control Group The control group was managed using local conventional cultivation methods. Autumn base fertilizer: Apply 2000 kg of well-rotted farmyard manure + 50 kg of NPK compound fertilizer (15-15-15) per mu.

[0044] Spring topdressing: Apply 20 kg of urea + 20 kg of compound fertilizer per mu before sprouting.

[0045] Flowering period management: During the peak flowering period, spray with 0.3% potassium dihydrogen phosphate + 10mg / kg gibberellin. After the flowers fall, spray with potassium dihydrogen phosphate + urea every 10 days for two consecutive times.

[0046] Pest and disease control: Spray lime sulfur during dormancy, and spray imidacloprid if pests occur during flowering.

[0047] Pruning: In winter, uniformly prune diseased and weak branches and overly long branches, and in spring, thin out overly dense flower buds.

[0048] III. Effect Observation and Data Analysis During the peak flowering period (early March), observe and photograph the development of male and female flowers. After the fruit set stabilizes (late April), calculate the fruit set rate. During the fruit ripening period (early August), calculate the yield per plant.

[0049] (a) Observation of flowering synchronicity like Figure 1 The image shown is a comparison photograph of the developmental status of male flowers in the experimental group and the control group. Figure 1 In the control group, A represents male flowers with a looser inflorescence, a larger branching angle, and a higher degree of flower opening. Yellow anthers are visible, the pedicels are bright green, and the overall flowering process is faster. Figure 1 Group B represents the male flowers of the experimental group. These flowers have compact inflorescences, relatively concentrated branching, a greenish hue, and relatively delayed development. The base of the pedicel is slightly brownish, and the overall flowering process is significantly delayed. This indicates that the method of this invention, through directional regulation from the flower bud differentiation stage to the budding stage, effectively delays the development of male flowers, making their flowering period closer to that of female flowers.

[0050] like Figure 2 The image shows a comparison of the overlapping flowering periods of male and female flowers in the experimental group. Figure 2 China A Figure 2 In group B, the male flowers of the experimental group are still in the initial flowering stage or bud stage. The inflorescence is green and compact, and the anthers have not yet fully opened to release pollen. Figure 2 C represents the female flower of *Zanthoxylum bungeanum*, with a reddish-brown pedicel and green buds, indicating it is about to open or in its early opening stage. Figure 2 It is evident that the male and female flowers in the experimental group were at the same pollination stage, and the synchronous regulation of their flowering periods was successful. The flowering periods of the two flowers highly overlapped, creating favorable conditions for natural pollination.

[0051] (II) Statistics of major agronomic indicators The overlapping time of full bloom, fruit set rate and yield per plant were statistically analyzed for the experimental group and the control group. The results are shown in Table 1.

[0052] Table 1 Comparison of the effects of regulating the flowering period of Asakura Sansho pepper

[0053] Experimental results show that, by adopting the method of this invention, the overlap time of the peak flowering periods of male and female flowers of Asakura sanzo is extended from 1-2 days under natural conditions to 7-9 days, combined with... Figure 2It is evident that the flowering periods of the two groups highly overlapped, significantly improving natural pollination conditions; the fruit set rate increased from 21.3% to 82.5%, and the yield per tree increased from 1.2 kg to 3.8 kg. Throughout the entire growth period, the trees in the experimental group exhibited vigorous growth, with no excessive vegetative growth or fruit deformities caused by excessive hormones, and the fruit quality showed no significant difference compared to the control group.

[0054] Based on the embodiments of the present invention, the timing of each operation step can be adaptively adjusted according to the climate characteristics of different cultivation areas and the temperature changes in specific years. Such adjustments are still within the protection scope of the present invention.

[0055] In addition, in actual production, if the development of female flowers lags behind that of male flowers, different fine-tuning strategies need to be adopted. If the budding speed of female flowers is slower than that of male flowers, spray the female flower branches once with a 10mg / kg gibberellin solution (92% active ingredient), and the rest of the operation is the same. This can also achieve precise matching of the peak flowering period of male and female flowers, ensuring that the peak flowering period overlaps by more than 7 days.

[0056] During the development of the technical solution of this invention, the inventors' team conducted numerous exploratory experiments. Although some of the solutions failed to achieve the expected synchronized flowering period, the reasons for their failures provided valuable experience for the final formation of this invention. To facilitate understanding of the technical concept of this invention by those in the industry and to avoid repeated trial and error, four representative eliminated solutions and their reasons for failure are summarized below.

[0057] 1. Single growth regulator regulation experiment Based on conventional cultivation methods, plant growth regulators were sprayed before flowering to regulate the development of male and female flowers. Two treatments were set up: Treatment ① was sprayed with 10 mg / kg gibberellin solution after male flowers showed buds; Treatment ② was sprayed with 500 times diluted paclobutrazol solution after male flowers showed buds. All other management measures were the same as conventional cultivation.

[0058] Treatment ① caused the female flowers to open too quickly, but the development of the male flowers was not significantly affected, resulting in a "reverse flowering period mismatch" phenomenon where the female flowers opened first.

[0059] Treatment ② resulted in excessive delay in male flower development, with some flower buds falling off. At the same time, tree growth was significantly inhibited, and the fruit size decreased in the later stages. Furthermore, single hormone regulation was prone to causing phytotoxicity, leading to a decline in the tree's resistance to adverse conditions.

[0060] Analysis suggests that single growth regulators only affect flower bud development in one sex, failing to achieve bidirectional matching of male and female flowers. Furthermore, the dosage of hormones is difficult to control precisely, easily leading to phytotoxicity or inhibiting normal tree growth. This indicates that relying solely on hormone regulation cannot fundamentally solve the problem of asynchronous flowering; a synergistic effect must be achieved by combining nutrient and environmental regulation.

[0061] 2. Nutritional supplementation experiment during flowering period only Nutritional support was only provided during the peak flowering period; no targeted regulation was implemented during flower bud differentiation and bud break. Specific procedures: A 0.2% borax + 0.2% potassium dihydrogen phosphate solution was sprayed at the initial flowering stage of both male and female flowers, once every 7 days, for two consecutive applications. Water and fertilizer management during flower bud differentiation and bud break was the same as in conventional cultivation.

[0062] The results showed that the problem of mismatched flowering periods between male and female flowers was not solved under this treatment; male flowers still opened and withered first, and male flowers had already entered the withering stage when female flowers opened. Although pollen viability and floral quality were improved (pollen germination rate increased from 42% in the control to 58%), the natural pollination rate was still less than 35% due to insufficient supply of effective pollen, and the fruit set rate did not improve significantly.

[0063] Analysis suggests that nutritional supplementation during the flowering period can only improve the quality of the flower parts and cannot change the inherent developmental time difference between male and female flowers. The root cause of asynchronous flowering lies in the difference in developmental speed between the flower bud differentiation period and the budding period. Relying solely on remedies during the flowering period is merely a temporary solution and must be addressed in the early stages of flower bud development.

[0064] 3. Experiment on applying nitrogen fertilizer during flower bud differentiation period During the flower bud differentiation period (September-October), nitrogen fertilizer is applied in an attempt to synchronize flowering by promoting the development of female flowers. Specific operation: On the basis of conventional base fertilizer, apply 20 kg of urea per mu, and the rest of the management is the same as conventional cultivation.

[0065] The experimental results show that male flower buds are far more sensitive to nitrogen than female flowers. Increased nitrogen fertilizer application significantly accelerated the differentiation rate of male flower buds, further widening the developmental gap between male and female flower buds. The following year's flowering statistics showed that male flowers bloomed 10-12 days earlier than female flowers, and the phenomenon of asynchronous flowering was more severe than in conventional cultivation, resulting in a lower natural pollination rate. Simultaneously, excessive nitrogen fertilizer led to excessive vegetative growth, with vigorous autumn shoot growth consuming large amounts of nutrients, reducing the cold resistance of flower buds, and causing a winter frost damage rate of over 30%.

[0066] Analysis suggests that male and female flower buds exhibit significant differences in their sensitivity to nitrogen, and that increasing nitrogen fertilizer application exacerbates rather than reduces the developmental time difference. This implies that the inventors must adopt a differentiated regulation strategy of "controlling male and promoting female" based on the different nutritional needs of male and female flowers, rather than uniformly increasing the application of a certain type of fertilizer.

[0067] 4. Multiple fine-tuning experiments before flowering period Before the flowering period, perform multiple adjustments to the growth regulators on both male and female flowers. Specific procedure: Starting from February 20th when male flowers show buds, observe every 5 days and spray with chlormequat chloride (if male flowers are growing too fast) or gibberellin (if female flowers are growing too slowly) repeatedly according to the development status, making a total of 3-4 adjustments before the peak flowering period.

[0068] The experimental results showed that repeated regulation led to a significant increase in the rate of flower malformation, with the rate of malformed flowers exceeding 15%, and some flower buds fell off due to excessive regulation. At the same time, tree growth became disordered, with vigorous growth of new shoots in the later stages competing with the fruit for nutrients, affecting fruit enlargement, and ultimately resulting in a significant decrease in yield per tree compared to conventional cultivation.

[0069] Analysis suggests that pre-flowering adjustments should only be made once when necessary, as repeated adjustments can disrupt the normal developmental rhythm of flower buds, leading to abnormal flower development and imbalanced tree growth. This led the inventors to realize that the key to synchronized flowering lies in laying the foundation for systematic regulation in the early stages, while pre-flowering adjustments only play a supplementary corrective role and should not be relied upon excessively.

[0070] The final solution is a synergistic approach that combines nitrogen-controlled and phosphorus- and potassium-enhanced basal fertilizer application during flower bud differentiation with the first application of flower-regulating nutrients, standardized maintenance during dormancy, cooling and water-fertilizer differentiation during the budding and budding stage, a second application of flower-regulating nutrients, pre-flowering fine-tuning, and nutritional support during the initial flowering stage. This systematically solves the technical problem of the non-coincidence of male and female flowering periods in thornless Sichuan pepper, significantly improves the natural pollination rate, fruit setting rate, and yield per plant, and is simple to operate, low in cost, and suitable for large-scale promotion.

[0071] Compared with the prior art, the present invention has the following significant technical advantages: First, this invention overcomes the limitations of existing technologies that only address the symptoms, not the root cause, by fundamentally solving the problem of asynchronous development of male and female flowers. Some existing technologies only intervene to preserve flowers and fruits during the peak flowering period or after flowering, which is a passive remedy and cannot change the fundamental problem of the misalignment in the opening time of male and female flowers. Based on in-depth research on the developmental characteristics of male and female flowers of thornless Sichuan pepper, this invention proposes for the first time a three-dimensional synergistic model throughout the entire cycle: "directional regulation during flower bud differentiation + coordinated regulation during bud break and budding + fine-tuning before flowering." By applying a special base fertilizer with controlled nitrogen and increased phosphorus and potassium and spraying targeted nutrients during the flower bud differentiation period (September-October), the development of male flowers is delayed and the differentiation of female flowers is promoted from the source, minimizing the initial developmental difference between male and female flower buds; then, during the bud break and budding period, the developmental gap is further reduced by cooling by covering male plants, differentiated regulation of water and fertilizer, and a second nutrient spray; finally, a slight directional fine-tuning is performed before flowering to achieve precise matching during the peak flowering period. This systematic approach extends the overlap of male and female flowering periods from 1-2 days under natural conditions to 7-9 days, fundamentally solving the pollination obstacle caused by the mismatch in flowering periods.

[0072] Secondly, based on the different physiological characteristics of male and female flowers, this invention pioneers a differentiated regulation strategy of "controlling male and promoting female," avoiding the blindness of traditional uniform management. Long-term experimental research has found that male flower buds of thornless Sichuan pepper are sensitive to nitrogen and high temperatures and develop rapidly, while female flower buds are sensitive to phosphorus and potassium fertilizers and micronutrients such as boron, zinc, and calcium. Existing technologies use uniform water and fertilizer management, applying large amounts of nitrogen fertilizer in autumn and top-dressing with fast-acting nitrogen fertilizer in spring, which actually exacerbates the developmental advantage of male flowers. This invention breaks with this convention, adopting a "controllable nitrogen and increased phosphorus and potassium" basal fertilizer program during the flower bud differentiation period, reducing nitrogen supply to delay male flowers and increasing the application of phosphorus, potassium, and micronutrients to promote female flowers; during the budding and budding period, male plants are covered and cooled, and their water and fertilizer management time is delayed, while water and fertilizer are supplied to female plants earlier; before the flowering period, unidirectional fine-tuning is performed on male or female flower branches according to developmental deviations. This differentiated intervention based on physiological characteristics achieves precise regulation by "controlling when necessary and promoting when necessary," ensuring synchronized flowering while avoiding problems such as excessive tree growth and fruit deformities caused by overuse of hormones.

[0073] Third, this invention employs a synergistic model combining nutrient regulation and growth regulator assistance. The technical solution is systematic, simple to operate, and low-cost, possessing strong value for large-scale promotion. Existing technologies either over-rely on single hormones (prone to phytotoxicity) or rely solely on conventional water and fertilizer management (with limited effectiveness). This invention integrates nutrient regulation throughout the entire process: during flower bud differentiation, basal fertilizer and the first nutrient application lay the material foundation; during bud break and budding, a second nutrient application improves flower quality; and during initial flowering, a borax + sucrose solution ensures pollination efficiency. Growth regulators are used only as auxiliary means, precisely applied at key points (promoting female reproductive function during flower bud differentiation and bud break, and fine-tuning before flowering), and strictly controlled within a safe concentration range. Experiments show that this invention increases the natural pollination rate to over 85%, the fruit set rate from 21.3% to 82.5%, and the yield per plant by more than double, while reducing the fruit deformity rate to below 3%. Meanwhile, all operations use conventional agronomic practices and readily available materials, requiring no complex equipment. Mechanized operations can be achieved through drones and mechanical fertilization, making it suitable for both open-field and greenhouse cultivation. It can be widely promoted in large-scale thornless pepper orchards, significantly improving the economic benefits for growers.

[0074] In the description of this invention, it should be understood that "-" and "~" represent a range between two values, and this range includes the endpoints. For example, "AB" represents a range greater than or equal to A and less than or equal to B. "A~B" represents a range greater than or equal to A and less than or equal to B.

[0075] In the description of this invention, the term "and / or" is merely a description of the relationship between related objects, indicating that there can be three relationships. For example, A and / or B can represent three cases: A exists alone, A and B exist simultaneously, and B exists alone.

[0076] In the description of the invention, the numerical values ​​of time, temperature, ratio, and mass involved can be based on actual measurements, standard equipment parameters, simplified rounding results, or within an acceptable error range, ensuring the practicality and repeatability of the invention.

[0077] In the description of this invention, the terms “about” or “approximately” are used to express approximate values ​​or ranges, allowing for a certain degree of error to ensure the flexibility and practicality of the description, while remaining within an acceptable range of error, with the maximum error not exceeding 10% of the corresponding value or range.

[0078] The above are merely preferred embodiments of the present invention. It should be noted that the above preferred embodiments should not be considered as limitations on the present invention, and the scope of protection of the present invention should be determined by the scope defined in the claims. For those skilled in the art, several improvements and modifications can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention, and these improvements and modifications should also be considered within the scope of protection of the present invention.

Claims

1. A method for synchronously regulating the flowering period of male and female flowers in thornless Sichuan pepper, characterized in that, Includes the following steps: (a) Regulation of flower bud differentiation period: From early September to late October each year, apply a special base fertilizer for controlling nitrogen and increasing phosphorus and potassium, and spray the female plants with the first flower-regulating nutrient agent to delay the differentiation of male flower buds and promote the differentiation of female flower buds. (b) Dormant period management: Winter pruning and garden cleanup shall be carried out from early November to late January of the following year; (c) Coordinated regulation during the budding and budding period: Before budding in February, cover the male tree basins to cool them down, apply phosphorus and potassium type quick-acting fertilizer to the whole orchard, and spray a second flower-regulating nutrient agent to reduce the difference in development between male and female flower buds. (d) Assistance before flowering to peak flowering: From the end of February to the middle of March, selectively make one directional fine adjustment according to the development of male and female flowers, and spray the flower-preserving pollination solution at the initial flowering stage so that the peak flowering period of male and female peppers overlaps by more than 7 days.

2. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that, The nitrogen-controlling and phosphorus-potassium-increasing special base fertilizer mentioned in step (a) consists of the following components: 2000-2500 kg / mu of well-rotted farmyard manure, 50 kg / mu of superphosphate, 30 kg / mu of potassium sulfate, and 2 kg / mu of boron-zinc-calcium compound micro-fertilizer.

3. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that, The first flower-conditioning nutrient solution mentioned in step (a) comprises: 0.2% potassium dihydrogen phosphate, 0.1% borax, 0.05% zinc sulfate and 0.001% brassinolide; the spraying frequency is once every 10 days, for a total of 3 sprays.

4. The method according to claim 3, characterized in that, The effective ingredient concentration of brassinolide is 0.01%.

5. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that, The application of phosphorus and potassium quick-acting fertilizer in step (c) specifically involves applying 20 kg of potassium dihydrogen phosphate and 5 kg of urea per mu, with the water and fertilizer management time for female plants being 5-7 days earlier than that for male plants.

6. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that, The second flower-conditioning nutrient agent mentioned in step (c) includes: 0.3% potassium dihydrogen phosphate, 0.15% calcium magnesium phosphate, 0.005% gibberellin and 0.5% amino acid water-soluble fertilizer; the spraying frequency is once every 15 days, and two consecutive sprays are applied.

7. The method according to claim 5, characterized in that, The purity of the active ingredient in the gibberellin is 92%.

8. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that, The cooling method for covering the male tree basin mentioned in step (c) specifically involves covering it with straw with a thickness of 5-10cm.

9. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that, The directional fine-tuning described in step (d) is as follows: if the male flowers develop too quickly, spray the male flower branches with a 500-fold diluted chlormequat chloride solution; if the female flowers develop too slowly, spray the female flower branches with a 10 mg / kg gibberellin solution; this fine-tuning is performed only once.

10. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that, The pollination solution mentioned in step (d) is a mixed solution of 0.2% borax and 0.1% sucrose.

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