What are the key points of new betel nut planting techniques

Betel nut, also known as guangzi, dabai, langyu, betel nut seed, and Geyu, is a plant of the genus Betel nut II in the palm family. Betel nut seed has the effects of expelling parasites, breaking stagnant qi in the chest, eliminating phlegm, and reducing edema and accumulations. Areca peel (the outer pericarp of betel nut) has effects such as descending qi, promoting water metabolism, and diuresis. It is cultivated in Fujian and southern Taiwan, China, Guangxi, Guangdong, Hainan Island, and southern Yunnan.

1. Propagation methods

Seedlings are raised from seeds and then transplanted. The nursery site should be selected as fertile sandy loam with sufficient water sources, convenient irrigation, and forest shade. After plowing and turning, spread soil and compost and fertilizer, then level and refine the soil so that fertilizer and soil are mixed evenly, open holes according to the seedling row and plant spacing, and then apply base fertilizer in the holes to concentrate fertilizer use.

(1) Seed selection Select 15-25 year old trees with short trunk internodes, little difference in thickness between the stem base and stem trunk, tall and robust growth, dark green leaves, and many concentrated fruits as mother trees for seed collection. After the fruits are fully mature, pick them, then select those with large fruit, golden yellow color, and no spots as seeds. When picking fruits, stretch a net under the tree to catch them, and the collected fruits should be subjected to germination treatment immediately.

(2) Storage and germination promotion Select a shaded area and dig a pit 30 cm deep. After watering the bottom of the pit, spread a layer of sand, then spread a layer of fruits (fruit stalk facing upward), add a layer of sand (about 9 cm thick), stack 1-2 layers, then cover with a layer of rice straw, and always pay attention to watering to maintain humidity. After half a month, white bud points the size of rice grains can appear, and at this time they are taken out for seedling raising.

(3) Seedling raising and seedbed management Open holes at 30 cm both between plants and between rows, place 1-2 fruits horizontally in each hole, and cover with soil until the fruits are no longer visible. Within 10 days after sowing, water once a day, and when seedlings emerge and small leaves unfold, apply fertilizer once by scraping soil along the roots, applying it, and then covering with soil. Properly build a shade shed to avoid direct sunlight exposure, weed and fertilize 2-3 times each year, and pay attention to; watering and earthing up. After 1-2 years of seedling age, when they are 30-60 cm tall and the stem base is slightly enlarged, they can be lifted with soil for field planting.

2. Field planting

Two months before field planting, on the selected land, first open holes according to the row and plant spacing of 240 cm X 300 cm (intercropping with pepper can be 4.5 m X 6 m), with a width of 60 cm and a depth of 45 cm, and let the soil weather. At the time of field planting, choose a cloudy day to fill the pits with surface fertile soil, apply sufficient base fertilizer, and plant the robust seedlings dug up with soil that day straight into the pits, about 15 cm above the ground, then cover with soil and compact. After planting, cut off half of the already unfolded leaves, and according to sunlight intensity properly insert small branches around them for shade. Water properly every day, and only after they survive and grow new leaves can the watering frequency be reduced.

3. Woodland management

After the plants survive, they should be cultivated, weeded, and fertilized 2-3 times each year. Fertilization should be carried out from April to September, by digging ring-shaped holes 15-20 cm from the tree roots, applying fertilizer, and then covering with soil. For adult trees, apply human feces and urine or nitrogen fertilizer once before flower buds appear; during the vigorous fruiting period, apply phosphate and potash fertilizer once, such as superphosphate, plant ash, or compost, etc.

Between rows and plants, plant some dwarf and relatively shade-tolerant crops, such as beans, pepper, vegetables, or other fruit or medicinal plants.

4. Harvesting and processing

After transplanting, they begin to bear fruit in 7-8 years, and can be harvested each year from April to May when the fruits turn yellow and ripe.

Then use a knife to score the pericarp, peel it open, and dry the seeds and pericarp separately in the sun. The seeds are betel nut (langyu), and the pericarp is areca peel, which are packaged separately and sold for medicinal use.