A method for efficiently propagating seedlings of taiwania flourensiana by cutting

Abstract

The present application relates to the technical field of forest seedling raising, in particular to a high-efficiency cutting propagation method for breeding Cunninghamia lanceolata seedlings; the method selects semi-lignified branches of 2-year-old cutting container seedlings of Cunninghamia lanceolata, cuts suitable length of cuttings in the early morning and timely moisturizes, soaks the cuttings in a scientific proportion of exogenous hormone solution, and then cuts the cuttings in a substrate of vermiculite and perlite which is compounded and sterilized; the cutting process is standardized in terms of plant spacing and depth, and is combined with fine management such as shading net, intermittent spraying and regular sterilization to promote rapid callus rooting of the cuttings; after the root system is stable, the cuttings are transplanted into special non-woven fabric containers, and are cultivated and fine maintained by using a balanced nutrient substrate; the present application effectively solves the problems of traditional breeding such as difficult rooting, weak root system, low survival rate and limited scale, and realizes standardized, efficient and scaled seedling raising of Cunninghamia lanceolata, which is suitable for wetland ecological restoration and afforestation, and has remarkable ecological, social and economic benefits.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of forest tree seedling technology, specifically to a method for efficient propagation and seedling cultivation of *Cephalotaxus fortunei* by cuttings. Background Technology

[0002] The Jiangyan area of ​​Taizhou, Jiangsu Province, boasts diverse wetland types, including rivers, ditches, and paddy fields. Greening under these site conditions places extremely high demands on tree species' tolerance to flooding. Trees, especially moisture-tolerant species, play a crucial ecological role in wetland ecosystems and are also important components and key elements of the wetland landscape. The ecological and landscape benefits provided by trees are long-term and sustainable, playing a vital role in maintaining the stability of wetland ecosystems.

[0003] The *Cephalotaxus fortunei* is a fast-growing, highly adaptable, and resilient tree species with a short leaf-fall period, exhibiting distinct semi-evergreen characteristics. This makes it a crucial species for land greening in Jiangsu Province, particularly for its "three modernizations" (greening, land greening, and ecological restoration), and also a highly desirable afforestation species for the coastal areas of East my country and the middle and lower reaches of the Yangtze River. This project will deepen the development and utilization of *Cephalotaxus fortunei*, establish an efficient propagation technology system, explore application models for riverside wetland greening, and meet the greening needs of the Jiangyan River in Taizhou, Jiangsu Province. Through this project, the planting of this "liger" (a type of wild liger) will be promoted in Jiangyan District, Taizhou City, meeting the demand for water-tolerant tree species in low-lying and near-water areas along rivers, improving afforestation and landscape construction, enhancing the ecological environment, enriching biodiversity, and creating a new paradigm for the selection of tree species for riverside wetland greening.

[0004] The *Cephalotaxus fortunei*, a prime example of distant hybridization in the plant kingdom, is known as the "liger" of the plant world. This project will introduce the water-tolerant tree species *Cephalotaxus fortunei* to Jiangyan District, Taizhou City for the first time. *Cephalotaxus fortunei* is characterized by its short leaf-fall period (leaf fall in January, new leaves emerge in March), beautiful tree shape, tolerance to waterlogging and salinity, rapid growth, and strong air purification capabilities. However, the existing propagation technology system for *Cephalotaxus fortunei* is imperfect, with unstable rooting rates and inconsistent root quality, resulting in low transplant survival rates, which makes it difficult to meet the needs of large-scale promotion and planting. Therefore, constructing an efficient *Cephalotaxus fortunei* cutting propagation technology system is an urgent problem to be solved.

[0005] Therefore, the present invention provides a method for efficient propagation and seedling cultivation of *Cephalotaxus fortunei* by cuttings to solve the above-mentioned technical problems. Summary of the Invention

[0006] To overcome the shortcomings of existing technologies, this invention proposes a highly efficient method for propagating and cultivating *Cephalotaxus fortunei* through cuttings. This invention effectively solves the problems of difficult rooting, weak root system, low survival rate, and limited scale in traditional propagation, realizing standardized, efficient, and large-scale seedling cultivation of *Cephalotaxus fortunei*. It is suitable for wetland ecological restoration and afforestation, with significant ecological, social, and economic benefits.

[0007] To achieve the above objectives, the present invention adopts the following technical solution: A highly efficient method for propagating and cultivating *Cephalotaxus fortunei* by cuttings includes the following steps: Step 1: Collect semi-lignified branches from 2-year-old container cuttings of *Cephalotaxus fortunei*. In the morning, cut cuttings 12-15cm long with a clean cut. Immediately after collecting the cuttings, spray them with water to keep them moist and immerse the base of the cuttings in an exogenous hormone solution. Step 2: 7-14 days before cutting, clean and level the cutting substrate. 1-2 days before cutting, spray and stir the cutting substrate with an 800-fold dilution of 50% carbendazim soluble powder for disinfection. Step 3: Use a thick branch to make holes in the cutting substrate and insert the cuttings into the substrate. After insertion, set up a shade net and use an automatic intermittent sprayer to spray and moisturize. On sunny days, spray for 8-12 seconds every 15-25 minutes. On cloudy days, reduce the spraying frequency according to the actual situation. 10-15 days after insertion, spray the cuttings and the surface of the cutting substrate with an 800-fold dilution of 50% carbendazim soluble powder for disinfection. Spray once a week. Step 4: After cutting, observe the callus formation and rooting time every 3-7 days. After 55-65 days, measure the length, number, and lateral root of the adventitious root, as well as the diameter of the longest adventitious root, and calculate the rooting rate. Step 5: Two months after the cuttings are planted, transplant the seedlings whose rooting rate has been calculated into containers filled with seedling substrate. After transplanting, place them in a shade structure and water them regularly. Three weeks after transplanting, calculate the survival rate of the transplanted seedlings.

[0008] Furthermore, the concentration of the exogenous hormone solution is 200-1400 mg / L, and the treatment time of the exogenous hormone is 10-20 seconds.

[0009] Furthermore, the exogenous hormone is one or a combination of naphthaleneacetic acid and indolebutyric acid.

[0010] Furthermore, the cutting substrate is composed of vermiculite and perlite in equal volumes.

[0011] Furthermore, the cuttings are 12-15cm long, and each cutting retains 3-4 compound leaves at the top or only 2-3 compound leaves.

[0012] Furthermore, the cuttings are inserted into the substrate at a spacing of 5cm × 10cm, and the insertion depth is 1 / 2 of the cutting length.

[0013] Furthermore, the aforementioned Peizhong Fir is an intergeneric F1 hybrid obtained by using Mexican bald cypress as the female parent and Japanese cedar as the male parent.

[0014] Furthermore, within 7 days after transplanting, water 3 times a day, keeping the substrate moist each time; after 7 days, water once a day, keeping the substrate moist.

[0015] Furthermore, the container is a non-woven fabric container, and the non-woven fabric container has a diameter of 12cm and a height of 15cm.

[0016] Furthermore, the seedling substrate is composed of peat moss, chicken manure, and perlite in a volume ratio of 2:1:1.

[0017] Compared with the prior art, the beneficial effects of the present invention are: 1. This invention addresses a series of long-standing technical bottlenecks in the traditional cutting propagation techniques of *Cephalotaxus fortunei*, such as weak rooting ability, incomplete root development, easy rotting of cuttings, slow recovery after transplanting, large fluctuations in survival rate, long propagation cycle, and high difficulty in large-scale production. By synergistically coordinating the selection of cutting types, regulation of exogenous hormones, optimization of substrate formula, standardization of cutting process, post-cutting environmental control, prevention of diseases and pests, ratio of transplanting substrate, and post-operative maintenance management, a scientific, stable, efficient, and replicable cutting propagation technology system has been constructed, achieving significant technological progress and application value in many aspects.

[0018] 2. This invention fundamentally activates the rooting potential of cuttings by selecting high-quality cuttings with vigorous physiological activity, sufficient nutrient reserves, and appropriate levels of endogenous hormones. This significantly improves callus formation ability and adventitious root differentiation efficiency, laying a solid foundation for healthy seedling growth. Secondly, through scientific screening and combination of exogenous hormone types, and rational control of hormone concentration and treatment duration, the physiological metabolic processes of cuttings can be precisely regulated, effectively breaking down rooting inhibition, promoting cell division and differentiation, and inducing the formation of a well-developed, robust, and structurally sound root system. This invention enhances the seedlings' water and fertilizer absorption and stress resistance, resulting in uniform, robust, and resilient growth, significantly improving seedling quality. Furthermore, the invention employs a substrate formula with excellent air permeability, water retention, and stability, combined with strict disinfection treatment and meticulous post-cutting management including shading and temperature control, intermittent misting for moisture retention, and regular sterilization and disease prevention. This effectively improves the microenvironment for cuttings, reduces the risk of pathogen infection, prevents cutting rot and death, and ensures that cuttings successfully complete the rooting process in a suitable, clean, and stable environment, significantly increasing the success rate of cuttings. Simultaneously, the standardized transplanting substrate ratio and scientific water and fertilizer management measures provide balanced nutrition and favorable growth conditions for transplanted seedlings, promoting rapid recovery and growth, greatly increasing the transplant survival rate, ensuring uniform seedling size and growth, and achieving stable and controllable seedling quality.

[0019] In summary, this invention effectively solves the problems of difficult rooting, weak root system, low survival rate, and limited scale in traditional propagation, realizing standardized, efficient, and large-scale seedling cultivation of *Cephalotaxus fortunei*, which is suitable for wetland ecological restoration and afforestation, and has significant ecological, social, and economic benefits. Attached Figure Description

[0020] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram illustrating the preparation of tender branch cuttings of *Cephalotaxus fortunei* in Example 1 of the present invention; Figure 2 This is a real-life image of the digging up of *Cephalotaxus fortunei* cuttings in Embodiment 1 of the present invention; Figure 3 This is a field photo of the transplanting of *Cephalotaxus fortunei* cuttings in Embodiment 1 of the present invention; Figure 4 This is a diagram showing the growth status of container seedlings of *Cephalotaxus fortunei* in Embodiment 1 of the present invention. Detailed Implementation

[0021] The technical solutions of the present invention will be clearly and completely described below with reference to the embodiments of the present invention. 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 of ordinary skill in the art without creative effort are within the scope of protection of the present invention. Example 1:

[0022] A highly efficient method for propagating and cultivating *Cephalotaxus fortunei* by cuttings includes the following steps: Step 1: Collect semi-lignified branches from 2-year-old container cuttings of *Cephalotaxus fortunei*. Cut 12cm long cuttings in the morning with a clean cut. Immediately after collecting the cuttings, spray them with water to keep them moist and immerse the base of the cuttings in an exogenous hormone solution. Among them, the Peizhong fir is an intergeneric F1 hybrid obtained by using Mexican bald cypress as the female parent and Japanese cedar as the male parent; The concentration of the exogenous hormone solution was 500 mg / L (made from equal mass of indolebutyric acid and naphthaleneacetic acid), and the treatment time of the exogenous hormone was 20 seconds; the exogenous hormone was one or a combination of naphthaleneacetic acid and indolebutyric acid. Step 2: Clean and level the cutting substrate 10 days before cutting. Two days before cutting, spray and stir the cutting substrate with an 800-fold dilution of 50% carbendazim soluble powder for disinfection. The cutting substrate is composed of vermiculite and perlite in equal volumes. Step 3: Use a thick branch to make holes in the cutting substrate and insert the cuttings into the substrate. After insertion, set up a shade net and use an automatic intermittent sprayer to spray and moisturize. On sunny days, spray for 10 seconds every 20 minutes; on cloudy days, reduce the spraying frequency according to the actual situation. 15 days after insertion, spray the cuttings and the surface of the cutting substrate with an 800-fold dilution of 50% carbendazim soluble powder for disinfection, once a week. The cuttings should be 12cm long and retain 3 compound leaves at the top or only 2 compound leaves. Insert the cuttings into the substrate at a spacing of 5cm × 10cm, and the insertion depth should be 1 / 2 the length of the cutting. Step 4: After cutting, observe the callus formation and rooting time every 3 days. After 60 days of cutting, measure the length, number, and lateral root of the adventitious root, as well as the diameter of the longest adventitious root, and calculate the rooting rate. Step 5: Two months after the cuttings are planted, transplant the seedlings whose rooting rate has been calculated into containers filled with seedling substrate. After transplanting, place them in a shade structure and water them regularly. Three weeks after transplanting, calculate the survival rate of the transplanted seedlings. Within 7 days after transplanting, water 3 times a day, keeping the substrate moist each time; after 7 days, water once a day, keeping the substrate moist. The container is a non-woven fabric container, and the diameter of the non-woven fabric container is 12cm and the height is 15cm. The seedling substrate is a mixture of peat moss, chicken manure and perlite in a volume ratio of 2:1:1. Example 2:

[0023] Step 1: Treatment of cuttings: Soak in a 1000 mg / L solution of indolebutyric acid + naphthaleneacetic acid (1:1) for 5 seconds; The remaining steps are the same as in Example 1. Statistical results after 60 days of cuttings: rooting rate 76.7%, average root diameter 1.63 mm, root system effectiveness index 14.07. Example 3:

[0024] Step 1: Soak the cuttings in a 1400 mg / L naphthaleneacetic acid solution for 10 seconds; The remaining steps are the same as in Example 1. Statistical results after 60 days of cutting: rooting rate 72.23%, adventitious root length 6.45cm, number of adventitious roots 2.06. Example 4:

[0025] Step 1: Select the upper part of the cutting and soak it in a 1000 mg / L indolebutyric acid solution for 10 seconds; The remaining steps are the same as in Example 1. Statistical results after 60 days of cutting: rooting rate 63.33%, callus appearance period 25 days, adventitious root length 6.61 cm, number of adventitious roots 2.54, and primary lateral roots 9.06. Example 5:

[0026] Step 1: Select cuttings with a base thickness of 4.0-4.5 mm and soak them in a 1000 mg / L naphthaleneacetic acid solution for 10 seconds; The remaining steps are the same as in Example 1. Statistical results after 60 days of cutting: rooting rate 81.10%, callus appearance period 28 days, adventitious root length 4.70cm, and 1.25 primary lateral roots.

[0027] Comparative Example 1 Step 1: Soak the cuttings in a 200 mg / L naphthaleneacetic acid solution for 10 seconds; The remaining steps are the same as in Example 1. Statistical results after 60 days of cutting: rooting rate 52.20%, adventitious root length 3.28cm, number of adventitious roots 1.55.

[0028] Comparative Example 2 Step 1: Select the lower part of the cutting and soak it in a 1000 mg / L indolebutyric acid solution for 10 seconds; The remaining steps are the same as in Example 1. Statistical results after 60 days of cutting: rooting rate 45.56%, callus appearance period 33 days, adventitious root length 3.69cm, and 2.73 primary lateral roots.

[0029] Comparative Example 3 Step 1: Select cuttings with a base thickness of 2.0-2.5 mm and soak them in a 1000 mg / L naphthaleneacetic acid solution for 10 seconds; The remaining steps are the same as in Example 1. Statistical results after 60 days of cutting: rooting rate 60.00%, callus appearance period 32 days, 0.67 primary lateral roots.

[0030] The high-efficiency cutting propagation and seedling cultivation methods of *Cephalotaxus fortunei* provided in Examples 1-5 and Comparative Examples 1-3 were used to conduct seedling cultivation experiments, and the seedling cultivation effect data obtained are recorded in the table below: Table 1. Rooting and seedling characteristics of cuttings in each embodiment and comparative example. Example 1 Standard 12cm cuttings The rooting rate was 86.7%, the average root diameter was 1.48 mm, and the root system effectiveness index was 8.51. The average diameter at ground level was 0.23 cm, the average seedling height was 11.8 cm, and the average number of adventitious roots was 5.6. The seedlings showed good uniformity. 92.74% Example 2 Standard 12cm cuttings The rooting rate was 76.7%, the average root diameter was 1.63 mm, and the root system effectiveness index was 14.07. The average diameter at ground level is 0.27 cm, the average seedling height is 12.4 cm, the average number of adventitious roots is 6.2, and the seedlings exhibit excellent uniformity. 92.09% Example 3 Standard 12cm cuttings The rooting rate was 72.23%, the average root diameter was 1.70 mm, the adventitious root length was 6.45 cm, and the number of adventitious roots was 2.06. The average diameter at ground level is 0.26 cm, the average seedling height is 12.3 cm, the average number of adventitious roots is 6.4, and the seedlings exhibit excellent uniformity. 92.09% Example 4 The upper 12cm of the scion The rooting rate was 63.33%, the callus emergence period was 25 days, the adventitious root length was 6.61 cm, the number of adventitious roots was 2.54, and the number of primary lateral roots was 9.06. The average diameter at ground level is 0.24 cm, the average seedling height is 11.9 cm, the average number of adventitious roots is 2.5, and the uniformity of the seedlings is average. 92.47% Example 5 Cuttings with a base diameter of 4.0-4.5 mm Rooting rate 81.10%, callus emergence period 28 days, adventitious root length 4.70 cm, 1.25 primary lateral roots. The average diameter at ground level was 0.26 cm, the average seedling height was 12.2 cm, the average number of adventitious roots was 1.7, and the seedlings showed good uniformity. 94.74% Comparative Example 1 Standard 12cm cuttings The rooting rate was 52.20%, the average root diameter was 1.29 mm, the adventitious root length was 3.28 cm, and the number of adventitious roots was 1.55. The average diameter at ground level was 0.22 cm, the average seedling height was 11.2 cm, and the average number of adventitious roots was 1.6. The seedlings exhibited poor uniformity. 92.09% Comparative Example 2 Scions 12cm from the bottom of the cutting Rooting rate: 45.56%; callus emergence period: 33 days; adventitious root length: 3.69 cm; number of primary lateral roots: 2.73. The average diameter at ground level was 0.21 cm, the average seedling height was 10.9 cm, and the average number of adventitious roots was 1.4. The seedlings exhibited poor uniformity. 92.47% Comparative Example 3 Cuttings with a base diameter of 2.0-2.5 mm Rooting rate: 60.00%; callus emergence period: 32 days; adventitious root length: 3.58 cm; number of primary lateral roots: 0.67. The average diameter at ground level was 0.22 cm, the average seedling height was 11.1 cm, and the average number of adventitious roots was 1.7. The seedlings exhibited poor uniformity. 94.74% By comparing and analyzing the data in the table, it can be seen that this invention effectively solves the problems of difficult rooting, weak root system, low survival rate, and limited scale in traditional propagation methods, realizing standardized, efficient, and large-scale seedling production of *Cephalotaxus fortunei*. It is suitable for wetland ecological restoration and afforestation, with significant ecological, social, and economic benefits. This indicates that the efficient cutting propagation method for *Cephalotaxus fortunei* provided by this invention has a broader market prospect and is more suitable for widespread application.

[0031] In the description of this specification, references to terms such as "an embodiment," "example," "specific example," etc., indicate that a specific feature, structure, material, or characteristic described in connection with that embodiment or example is included in at least one embodiment or example of the invention. In this specification, illustrative expressions of the above terms do not necessarily refer to the same embodiment or example. Furthermore, the specific features, structures, materials, or characteristics described may be combined in any suitable manner in one or more embodiments or examples.

[0032] The preferred embodiments of the present invention disclosed above are merely illustrative of the invention. These preferred embodiments do not exhaustively describe all details, nor do they limit the invention to the specific implementations described. Clearly, many modifications and variations can be made based on the content of this specification. This specification selects and specifically describes these embodiments to better explain the principles and practical applications of the invention, thereby enabling those skilled in the art to better understand and utilize the invention. The invention is limited only by the claims and their full scope and equivalents.

Claims

1. A method for efficient propagation and seedling cultivation of *Cephalotaxus fortunei* by cuttings, characterized in that, Includes the following steps: Step 1: Collect semi-lignified branches from 2-year-old container cuttings of *Cephalotaxus fortunei*. In the morning, cut cuttings 12-15cm long with a clean cut. Immediately after collecting the cuttings, spray them with water to keep them moist and immerse the base of the cuttings in an exogenous hormone solution. Step 2: 7-14 days before cutting, clean and level the cutting substrate. 1-2 days before cutting, spray and stir the cutting substrate with an 800-fold dilution of 50% carbendazim soluble powder for disinfection. Step 3: Use a thick branch to make holes in the cutting substrate and insert the cuttings into the substrate. After insertion, set up a shade net and use an automatic intermittent sprayer to spray and moisturize. On sunny days, spray for 8-12 seconds every 15-25 minutes. On cloudy days, reduce the spraying frequency according to the actual situation. 10-15 days after insertion, spray the cuttings and the surface of the cutting substrate with an 800-fold dilution of 50% carbendazim soluble powder for disinfection. Spray once a week. Step 4: After cutting, observe the callus formation and rooting time every 3-7 days. After 55-65 days, measure the length, number, and lateral root of the adventitious root, as well as the diameter of the longest adventitious root, and calculate the rooting rate. Step 5: Two months after the cuttings are planted, transplant the seedlings whose rooting rate has been calculated into containers filled with seedling substrate. After transplanting, place them in a shade structure and water them regularly. Three weeks after transplanting, calculate the survival rate of the transplanted seedlings.

2. The method for efficient propagation and seedling cultivation of *Cephalotaxus fortunei* by cuttings according to claim 1, characterized in that: The concentration of the exogenous hormone solution is 200-1400 mg / L, and the treatment time is 10-20 seconds.

3. The method for efficient propagation and seedling cultivation of *Cephalotaxus fortunei* by cuttings according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that: The exogenous hormone is one or a combination of naphthaleneacetic acid and indolebutyric acid.

4. The method for efficient propagation and seedling cultivation of *Cephalotaxus fortunei* by cuttings according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that: The cutting substrate is composed of vermiculite and perlite in equal volumes.

5. The method for efficient propagation and seedling cultivation of *Cephalotaxus fortunei* by cuttings according to claim 1, characterized in that: The cuttings should be 12-15cm long, and each cutting should retain 3-4 compound leaves at the top or only 2-3 compound leaves.

6. The method for efficient propagation and seedling cultivation of *Cephalotaxus fortunei* by cuttings according to claim 1, characterized in that: Insert the cuttings into the substrate at a spacing of 5cm × 10cm, and the insertion depth should be 1 / 2 of the cutting length.

7. The method for efficient propagation and seedling cultivation of *Cephalotaxus fortunei* by cuttings according to claim 1, characterized in that: The Peizhong fir is an intergeneric F1 hybrid obtained by using Mexican bald cypress as the female parent and Japanese cedar as the male parent.

8. The method for efficient propagation and seedling cultivation of *Cephalotaxus fortunei* by cuttings according to claim 1, characterized in that: Within 7 days after transplanting, water 3 times a day, keeping the substrate moist each time; after 7 days, water once a day, keeping the substrate moist.

9. The method for efficient propagation and seedling cultivation of *Cephalotaxus fortunei* by cuttings according to claim 1, characterized in that: The container is a non-woven fabric container, and the non-woven fabric container has a diameter of 12cm and a height of 15cm.

10. The method for efficient propagation and seedling cultivation of *Cephalotaxus fortunei* by cuttings according to claim 1, characterized in that: The seedling substrate is a mixture of peat moss, chicken manure, and perlite in a volume ratio of 2:1:1.

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