A method for planting large cherries on mountain slopes

Abstract

The application discloses a large cherry planting method for mountain slope land, which comprises the following steps: building wide horizontal terraces along contour lines on the mountain slope land, and digging inverted trapezoidal strip-shaped trenches in planting rows, and carrying out three-layer structure backfilling: laying coarse straw or gravel to form a water-permeable layer in the bottom layer, filling an improved soil matrix formed by mixing original topsoil, mature organic fertilizer, biochar and husks to form a core nutrient layer in the middle layer, and backfilling the surface layer to form ridges, laying drip irrigation belts on the top of the ridges, and planting grass between the rows. The method combines a water and fertilizer management mode of wide-row dense-planting, high-trunk narrow-crown tree shape cultivation, dynamic ridge formation, deep application of base fertilizer and drip irrigation and topdressing, realizes efficient water and soil conservation and continuous improvement of rhizosphere soil, effectively solves problems of thin soil layer, low fertility, serious water and soil loss and the like of the slope land, significantly improves the growth environment stability of large cherries, improves the adaptability of mechanized operation, and achieves the planting goals of high yield, high quality, high efficiency and ecological safety.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of mountain agriculture and forestry technology, specifically a method for planting sweet cherries on mountain slopes. Background Technology

[0002] my country has abundant mountain and sloping land resources. Developing cherry cultivation is an important way to optimize land use and increase the income of farmers in mountainous areas. At present, cherry cultivation on slopes mostly adopts flat land technology or only adopts simple terrace transformation.

[0003] However, planting cherry trees on slopes faces a series of severe challenges that are difficult to match by traditional orchards. Slopes often have thin soil layers, many gravels, and low organic matter content. Traditional downhill farming or simple terraces lead to a large loss of soil, nutrients, and water during the rainy season, making it difficult to meet the strong demand for water and fertilizer for cherry trees. Summary of the Invention

[0004] The present invention aims to at least partially solve one of the technical problems in the above-mentioned technologies.

[0005] Therefore, the purpose of this invention is to propose a method for planting sweet cherries on hillsides, which fundamentally improves the growing conditions of sweet cherries on hillsides, blocks the path of rainwater erosion down the slope from the terrain, avoids the loss of soil and nutrients with water, meets the strong demand of sweet cherries for water and fertilizer, realizes the efficient retention and utilization of water, fertilizer and soil, and ultimately achieves the planting goals of high yield, high quality, high efficiency and ecological safety.

[0006] The technical solution of the present invention includes the following steps: On mountain slopes, planting rows are set along contour lines, and wide horizontal terraces with a platform width of ≥5m are constructed. A strip-shaped trench is excavated at the location of the planting row, and the cross-section of the strip-shaped trench is an inverted trapezoid; The strip trench is backfilled in a three-layer structure: the bottom layer is a 15cm-20cm thick layer of coarse straw, pruned branches or gravel to form a permeable layer; the middle layer is filled with a soil-improving matrix made of original topsoil, decomposed organic fertilizer, biochar and rice husks or vermiculite; the top layer is backfilled with soil to a level higher than the original ground level. After the strip trench is backfilled and settled, a soil improvement strip is formed, and a ridge is made directly above the soil improvement strip. Drip irrigation tape is laid along the center line of the ridge top for topdressing with water and fertilizer; grass is planted between the soil improvement strips, and the ridge is cleared or covered.

[0007] Furthermore, the volume ratio of the original topsoil, decomposed organic fertilizer, biochar, and rice husks or vermiculite is 5:3:1:1.

[0008] Furthermore, the terraced fields are planted using a wide-row, dense-planting pattern with a row spacing of 3.5m-4.5m and a plant spacing of 1.5m-2.0m, and the planting rows are parallel to the direction of the terraced fields.

[0009] Furthermore, the terraced fields cultivate tall, narrow-crowned trees, raising the trunk height to 0.6-0.8m and controlling the crown width to within 1.5m-2.0m.

[0010] Furthermore, the drip irrigation tape is laid close to the tree row, with 4-8 drippers installed on each tree to moisten the entire soil improvement strip profile.

[0011] Furthermore, the inter-row grass is planted with low-growing, shade-tolerant, nitrogen-fixing grass species, and is regularly mowed and used to cover the ridges or tree rows. The grass species include hairy vetch or white clover.

[0012] Furthermore, the outer embankment of the wide horizontal terraces is designed as a gentle slope with a slope ratio of height:width ≥ 1:1, and is reinforced by compaction or planting grass. Drainage ditches with a depth and width of 30cm-40cm are dug on the inner side and both ends of the terraces. A connecting ramp is set every 50m-80m of the terraces, with a slope of ≤15°, a width of ≥3m, and hardened.

[0013] Furthermore, the terraced fields are established using two-year-old high-quality seedlings of superior varieties grafted onto Gisela 6 or Y1 rootstock.

[0014] Furthermore, the ridging is dynamic ridging. Based on the growth of tree age and root expansion, the ridging shape is reshaped and expanded in autumn in conjunction with fertilization. The ridging top width is 0.8m-1.2m and the ridging height is 30cm-40cm.

[0015] Furthermore, the water and fertilizer model that combines deep storage of base fertilizer with drip irrigation topdressing is adopted: in autumn, a trenching fertilizer applicator is used to apply base fertilizer deeply at the outer edge of the tree canopy projection, applying 25-30 kg of decomposed sheep manure and 1.5-2 kg of slow-release compound fertilizer per tree; during the growing season, water-soluble fertilizer is applied as an integrated water and fertilizer topdressing through a drip irrigation system.

[0016] The advantages of this invention compared to existing technologies are: 0. This invention provides a method for planting sweet cherries on hillside slopes, which involves constructing wide horizontal terraces along contour lines, with each terrace being ≥5m high. These terraces are reinforced with gentle outer slopes, with a slope ratio ≥1:1. Drainage ditches, 30cm-40cm deep and wide, are added to the inner sides and both ends. This topographical approach blocks the path of rainwater erosion down the slope, preventing soil and nutrients from being lost. Simultaneously, the contour-terraced structure ensures a more uniform distribution of sunlight, temperature, and wind on the slope, reducing microclimate hazards such as frost, sunscald, and wind damage, and improving the environmental stability for cherry growth.

[0017] 0. This invention provides a method for planting sweet cherries on hillside slopes, which fundamentally optimizes the physical and chemical properties of the soil through a three-layer backfill: the bottom permeable layer, which uses 15cm-20cm coarse straw / branch / gravel to create permanent drainage and aeration channels to prevent root rot from water accumulation; the core nutrient layer uses a special substrate of original topsoil: well-rotted organic fertilizer: biochar: rice husk / vermiculite = 5:3:1:1, which greatly improves the soil organic matter content and fertilizer and water retention capacity, meeting the strong water and fertilizer requirements of sweet cherries; the top planting layer reserves settlement space to ensure soil structure stability, fundamentally solving the problems of thin soil layer, many gravels and low fertility on slopes.

[0018] 0. This invention provides a method for planting sweet cherries on hillside slopes. Ridges are created above the soil improvement zone, with the ridge top being 0.8m-1.2m and the ridge height being 30cm-40cm. Based on tree age and root expansion, the ridge shape is reshaped and expanded in autumn in conjunction with fertilization, ensuring that the root zone soil remains loose, fertile, and well-aerated, adapting to the root development needs of sweet cherries at different growth stages and preventing deterioration of site conditions due to root expansion. Attached Figure Description

[0019] Figure 1 This is a three-dimensional schematic diagram of a method for planting sweet cherries on hillsides according to the present invention.

[0020] Figure 2 This is a front view schematic diagram of a method for planting sweet cherries on hillsides according to the present invention.

[0021] Figure 3 yes Figure 2 Schematic diagram of cross-section at point AA.

[0022] Figure 4 yes Figure 3 Enlarged diagram of point B in the middle.

[0023] As shown in the figure: 1. Slope; 2. Terrace; 3. Strip trench; 4. Permeable layer; 5. Soil improvement substrate; 6. Soil; 7. Connecting ramp; 8. Ridge. Detailed Implementation

[0024] Exemplary embodiments will now be described in detail, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings. When the following description relates to the drawings, unless otherwise indicated, the same numerals in different drawings denote the same or similar elements. The embodiments described in the following exemplary embodiments do not represent all embodiments consistent with this disclosure. Rather, they are merely examples of apparatuses consistent with some aspects of this disclosure as detailed in the appended claims.

[0025] The technical solutions of the present invention will be clearly and completely described below with reference to the accompanying drawings of the embodiments of the present invention. Obviously, the described embodiments are only some embodiments of the present invention, and not all embodiments. All other embodiments obtained by those skilled in the art based on the embodiments of the present invention without creative effort are within the scope of protection of the present invention.

[0026] like Figures 1 to 4 As shown, this embodiment proposes a method for planting sweet cherries on hillside slopes 1, including the following steps: On the mountain slope 1, planting rows are set along the contour lines, and wide horizontal terraces with a width of ≥5m are constructed on the platform 2. Excavate strip-shaped trench 3 at the location of the planting row. The cross-section of strip-shaped trench 3 is an inverted trapezoid, with an upper opening width of 1.2-1.5m, a bottom width of 0.8-1.0m, and a depth of 0.6-0.8m. The strip trench 3 is backfilled in a three-tiered structure: the bottom layer is a 15-20cm thick layer of coarse straw, pruned branches or gravel to form a permeable layer 4; the middle layer is filled with a soil improvement matrix 5 composed of the original topsoil, decomposed organic fertilizer, biochar and rice husks or vermiculite; the top layer is backfilled with soil 6 to a level higher than the original ground level. After the strip trench 3 is backfilled and settled, a soil improvement strip is formed, and a ridge 8 is built directly above the soil improvement strip; Drip irrigation tape is laid along the center line of the top of ridge 8 for topdressing with water and fertilizer; grass is planted between the soil improvement strips, and the ridge 8 is cleaned or covered.

[0027] It should be noted that the slope of the hillside 1 is 5°-25°, and the width of the terrace 2 is ≥5m to facilitate the planting of multiple rows of cherry trees. The depth of the strip trench 3 is adjusted according to the original soil layer thickness. The decomposed organic fertilizer is cow manure or sheep manure, etc. The top layer of backfill soil 6 is higher than the original ground level to reserve space for settlement. The strip trench 3 is backfilled with permeable layer 4 material and organic materials to prevent waterlogging and increase the organic matter in the soil 6. The soil 6 in the strip trench 3 is loose, which is conducive to inducing the tree roots to grow deep and wide, thereby improving the tree's drought resistance and lodging resistance. The permeable layer 4 is laid with 15cm-20cm of coarse straw, pruned branches or gravel, which can cut off the capillary water in the soil 6 to play a role in preventing waterlogging, and can also ensure that the roots can be rolled into the soil 6, thereby avoiding the waste of permeable layer 4 material.

[0028] To clearly illustrate the previous embodiment, in one embodiment of the present invention, the outer embankment of the wide horizontal terrace is designed as a gentle slope with a height-to-width ratio of 1:1 to 1:2, and is reinforced by compaction or planting grass. Drainage ditches with a depth and width of 30cm-40cm are dug on the inner side and at both ends of the terrace. A connecting ramp is set every 50m-80m of the terrace, with a ramp angle of 7.5°≤slope ≤15°, a width of ≥3m and paved.

[0029] It should be noted that since the absorbing roots of cherry trees are mostly distributed in the 20cm-40cm soil layer, the 30cm-40cm drainage ditch ensures that the absorbing roots can absorb water normally, and the water will naturally flow into the drainage ditch and be drained away by gravity. Connecting ramp 7 refers to a permanent hardened passage that connects the upper and lower terraces and allows machinery and personnel to pass through. The location, width, slope, structure and drainage of connecting ramp 7 are all uniformly designed, and it is not a temporary earthen slope.

[0030] Furthermore, the volume ratio of topsoil, decomposed organic fertilizer, biochar, and rice husks or vermiculite is 5:3:1:1.

[0031] Furthermore, the terraced fields are planted using a wide-row, dense-planting pattern with a row spacing of 3.5m-4.5m and a plant spacing of 1.5m-2.0m, with the planting rows parallel to the direction of the terraced fields.

[0032] It should be noted that the 4.0m row spacing matches the optimized platform width 2, ensuring ample space for machine movement and operation, while moderately dense planting guarantees yield per unit area.

[0033] Furthermore, the terraced fields are established by grafting superior two-year-old seedlings of excellent varieties onto Gisela 6 or Y1 rootstock.

[0034] It should be noted that the rootstocks of Gisela 6 or Y1 are characterized by early fruiting, high yield, and strong resistance to adverse conditions.

[0035] Furthermore, the terraced fields cultivate tall, narrow-crowned trees, raising the trunk height to 0.6m-0.8m and controlling the crown width to within 1.5m-2.0m, so as to maintain a mechanical operation passage of at least 2.0m between the crowns of adjacent rows of trees.

[0036] Furthermore, the tree shape is either a tall Y-shaped trunk or a slender spindle shape.

[0037] It should be noted that tall-trunk, narrow-crown trees are suitable for mechanized pruning and harvesting, with the trunk height increased to 0.6m-0.8m, thus creating a smooth passage for machinery.

[0038] Furthermore, the ridging method is dynamic ridging. Based on the tree's age and root expansion, the ridging shape is reshaped and expanded in autumn in conjunction with fertilization. The top width of the ridging is 0.8m-1.2m, and the height of the ridging is 30cm-40cm.

[0039] It should be noted that the width of the top of ridge 8 matches the effective width of the soil improvement strip, the height of ridge 8 is measured from the surface of the soil improvement strip, the slope of the shoulder of ridge 8 is a gentle slope of about 30°, which is used to stabilize the soil and facilitate mechanical pressing of the edges. The width of the top of ridge 8 is 0.8m-1.2m, and the height of ridge 8 is 30cm-40cm, which is used to increase the soil temperature, reduce the occurrence of waterlogging, increase the ventilation and light penetration of the orchard, and reduce the occurrence of gummosis, etc., without affecting agricultural operations.

[0040] In one embodiment of the invention, the drip irrigation tape is laid close to the tree row, with 4-8 drippers installed on each tree to moisten the entire soil improvement strip profile.

[0041] In one embodiment of the present invention, a water and fertilizer mode combining deep storage of base fertilizer and drip irrigation topdressing is adopted: in autumn, a trenching fertilizer applicator is used to apply base fertilizer deep at the outer edge of the tree canopy projection, applying 25-30 kg of decomposed sheep manure and 1.5-2 kg of slow-release compound fertilizer per tree; during the growing season, water-soluble fertilizer is applied as an integrated water and fertilizer topdressing through a drip irrigation system.

[0042] Furthermore, inter-row grasses are planted with low-growing, shade-tolerant, nitrogen-fixing grasses and regularly mowed to cover the ridges or tree rows. Grasses include hairy vetch or white clover.

[0043] In summary, this invention provides a method for planting sweet cherries on hillside slopes 1. Wide, horizontal terraces 2 are excavated and constructed, with each terrace 2 being at least 5 meters wide to facilitate mechanized farming. The outer embankments are designed as gentle slopes with a slope ratio of at least 1:1 (height to width ratio 1:1), and are compacted or reinforced with grass. Drainage ditches are dug on the inner side and at both ends of the terraces, each 30-40 cm deep and wide to facilitate drainage during the rainy season. At appropriate intervals between each terrace level, such as every 50-80 meters, a standardized connecting ramp 7 is constructed with a slope ≤15% and a width ≥3 meters, and is hardened to serve as a dedicated passage for machinery to move between different elevation terraces 2.

[0044] Directly below the planned planting rows, excavate continuous strip trenches 3. The trench cross-section is an inverted trapezoid to increase stability. The trench width at the top is 1.2m-1.5m, the width at the bottom is 0.8m-1.0m, and the depth is 0.6m-0.8m, which can be adjusted according to the thickness of the original soil layer. Backfill according to a three-layer structure. The bottom permeable layer 4 is filled with coarse straw, pruned branches, or a small amount of gravel to form a permanent drainage and aeration channel. The thickness of the bottom permeable layer 4 is 15cm-20cm. The core nutrient layer is backfilled with a special soil amendment substrate 5. The thickness of the core nutrient layer is 30cm-50cm. The recommended ratio is: original topsoil: well-rotted organic fertilizer (cow or sheep manure, etc.): biochar: rice husks (or vermiculite) = 5:3:1:1. The top planting layer is backfilled to slightly higher than the original ground level, leaving room for settlement.

[0045] After the strip-shaped deep soil improvement is completed and the area has settled and stabilized, or in the following year, ridges are constructed directly above the soil improvement strip. Ridge parameters: Ridge top width: 0.8m-1.2m, matching the effective width of the soil improvement strip; Ridge height: 30cm-40cm, measured from the surface of the soil improvement strip; Ridge shoulder slope: gentle slope, approximately 30°, to facilitate stability and mechanical edge compaction.

[0046] Lay 1-2 drip irrigation tapes along the center line of the top of ridge 8, close to the tree row, avoiding the middle area between rows to prevent damage from machine tires. Install 4-8 drippers per tree to ensure the entire soil improvement strip is moistened. Base fertilizer can be applied in autumn along with the expansion of ridge 8, on the outer side of the ridge shoulder; topdressing should be applied entirely through the drip irrigation system. The ridges should be cleared or covered to keep the area around the tree trunks free of weeds. Grass should be planted between the rows (between the soil improvement strips) with low-growing, shade-tolerant, nitrogen-fixing grasses such as hairy vetch and white clover. Regularly mow and cover the chopped grass with the ridge surface or tree row.

[0047] Select early-bearing, high-yielding, and resilient rootstocks, such as two-year-old high-quality seedlings of Gisela 6 and Y1 grafted superior varieties, for orchard establishment. Adopt a planting pattern with a row spacing of 4.0m and a plant spacing of 1.5m-2.0m. The 4.0m row spacing matches the optimized terrace width to ensure ample space for machinery movement and operations; moderately dense planting ensures yield per unit area, and the row direction is strictly parallel to the terrace orientation.

[0048] In autumn, a small trenching fertilizer applicator can be used to quickly and deeply deposit fertilizer along the outer edge of the tree canopy projection, applying 25-30 kg of well-rotted sheep manure and 1.5-2 kg of slow-release compound fertilizer per tree. During the growing season, water-soluble fertilizer should be precisely applied using a drip irrigation system according to the phenological stages. Rainwater harvesting pits should be fully utilized, prioritizing drip irrigation with collected rainwater during the dry season.

[0049] Regardless of whether the slope is sunny or shady, priority should be given to cultivating tall, narrow-crowned trees suitable for mechanized pruning and harvesting, such as tall Y-shaped trees or slender spindle-shaped trees with upright trunks. The trunk height should be uniformly raised to 0.6m-0.8m to create unobstructed passageways for machinery. The crown width should be controlled within 1.5m-2.0m to ensure that there is at least a 2.0m mechanical access path between adjacent rows of trees.

[0050] Dynamic ridging is characterized by the fact that the ridging body is not permanently fixed. The ridging shape can be reshaped and expanded in autumn in conjunction with fertilization, depending on the age of the tree and the expansion of the root system.

[0051] It should be noted that, in this document, relational terms such as "first" and "second" are used only to distinguish one entity or operation from another, and do not necessarily require or imply any such actual relationship or order between these entities or operations. Furthermore, the terms "comprising," "including," or any other variations thereof are intended to cover non-exclusive inclusion, such that a process, method, article, or apparatus that comprises a list of elements includes not only those elements but also other elements not expressly listed, or elements inherent to such process, method, article, or apparatus.

[0052] Although embodiments of the invention have been shown and described, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes, modifications, substitutions and alterations can be made to these embodiments without departing from the principles and spirit of the invention, the scope of which is defined by the appended claims and their equivalents.

[0053] The present invention and its embodiments have been described above. This description is not restrictive, and the accompanying drawings are only one embodiment of the present invention; the actual structure is not limited thereto. In conclusion, if those skilled in the art are inspired by this description and design similar structures and embodiments without departing from the spirit of the invention, such designs should fall within the protection scope of the present invention.

Claims

1. A method for planting sweet cherries on hillside slopes, characterized in that, Includes the following steps: On mountain slopes, planting rows are set along contour lines, and wide horizontal terraces with a platform width of ≥5m are constructed. A strip-shaped trench is excavated at the location of the planting row, and the cross-section of the strip-shaped trench is an inverted trapezoid; The strip trench is backfilled in a three-layer structure: the bottom layer is a 15cm-20cm thick layer of coarse straw, pruned branches or gravel to form a permeable layer; the middle layer is filled with a soil-improving matrix made of original topsoil, decomposed organic fertilizer, biochar and rice husks or vermiculite; the top layer is backfilled with soil to a level higher than the original ground level. After the strip trench is backfilled and settled, a soil improvement strip is formed, and a ridge is made directly above the soil improvement strip. Drip irrigation tape is laid along the center line of the ridge top for topdressing with water and fertilizer; grass is planted between the soil improvement strips, and the ridge is cleared or covered.

2. The method for planting sweet cherries on hillsides according to claim 1, characterized in that: The outer embankment of the wide horizontal terraces is designed as a gentle slope with a height:width ratio of ≥1:1, and is reinforced by compaction or planting grass. Drainage ditches with a depth and width of 30cm-40cm are dug on the inner side and at both ends of the terraces. A connecting ramp is set every 50m-80m of the terraces, with a slope of ≤15°, a width of ≥3m, and hardened.

3. The method for planting sweet cherries on hillsides according to claim 1, characterized in that: The volume ratio of the original topsoil, decomposed organic fertilizer, biochar, and rice husks or vermiculite is 5:3:1:

1.

4. The method for planting sweet cherries on hillsides according to claim 1, characterized in that: The terraced fields are planted using a wide-row, dense-planting pattern with a row spacing of 3.5m-4.5m and a plant spacing of 1.5m-2.0m, and the planting rows are parallel to the direction of the terraced fields.

5. A method for planting sweet cherries on hillsides according to claim 1, characterized in that: The terraced fields are established using two-year-old high-quality seedlings of superior varieties grafted onto Gisela 6 or Y1 rootstock.

6. A method for planting sweet cherries on hillsides according to claim 1, characterized in that: The terraced fields cultivate tall, narrow-crowned trees, raising the trunk height to 0.6-0.8m and controlling the crown width to within 1.5m-2.0m.

7. A method for planting sweet cherries on hillsides according to claim 1, characterized in that: The ridging is dynamic, and the ridging shape is reshaped and expanded in autumn in conjunction with fertilization, based on the growth of tree age and root expansion. The ridging top width is 0.8m-1.2m and the ridging height is 30cm-40cm.

8. A method for planting sweet cherries on hillsides according to claim 1, characterized in that: The drip irrigation tape is laid close to the tree row, with 4-8 drippers installed on each tree to moisten the entire soil improvement strip profile.

9. A method for planting sweet cherries on hillsides according to claim 1, characterized in that: The water and fertilizer model that combines deep storage of base fertilizer with drip irrigation topdressing is adopted: in autumn, a trenching fertilizer applicator is used to apply base fertilizer deep at the outer edge of the tree canopy projection, applying 25-30 kg of decomposed sheep manure and 1.5-2 kg of slow-release compound fertilizer per tree; during the growing season, water-soluble fertilizer is applied as an integrated water and fertilizer topdressing through the drip irrigation system.

10. A method for planting sweet cherries on hillsides according to claim 1, characterized in that: The inter-row grass planting consists of low-growing, shade-tolerant, nitrogen-fixing grass species, which are regularly mowed and used to cover the ridges or tree rows. The grass species include hairy vetch or white clover.

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