Detailed Explanation of Cultivation and Management Experience and Methods for Kernel Apricots
I. Technology Introduction
1. Variety selection: Main cultivars: Longwangmao, Yiwofeng, Baiyubian, Chaoren, Fenghong, Youren, Yuanren, etc. Baiyubian is an excellent pollinator variety for kernel apricots, with relatively strong cold resistance; Yiwofeng is extremely high-yielding, and the other three varieties are resistant to frost and tolerant of low temperatures.
2. Raising seedlings: Kernel apricot seedlings can be divided into two stages: rootstock seedling cultivation and grafted seedling cultivation. (1) Rootstock seedling cultivation. Select a field with sufficient sunlight, loose soil, and irrigation conditions as the seedling-raising site, and prepare the land and apply fertilizer in a timely manner. (2) Grafting. Kernel apricot seedling grafting is divided into two types: bud grafting and branch grafting.
3. Orchard establishment: Kernel apricot orchard establishment can be divided into three stages: site selection, land preparation, and transplanting. (1) Orchard site selection. (2) Land preparation. (3) Planting.
4. Apricot orchard management: (1) Soil, fertilizer, and water management. (2) Training and pruning. (3) Frost prevention and fruit protection. (4) Pest and disease control.
5. Harvesting of apricot fruit, shelling, and grading of apricot kernels: (1) Fruit harvesting: The maturity period of kernel apricots is relatively concentrated, generally in early July. Correctly grasping the harvest time is one of the important factors for obtaining yield and quality. It is generally believed that when the apricot skin turns yellow and the flesh naturally splits open, the fruit is fully mature; harvesting at this time can achieve relatively high yield and quality. Harvesting too early or too late will affect the yield and quality of apricot kernels. (2) Shelling: divided into three processes: peeling, sun-drying the pits, and cracking the pits. (3) Grading of apricot kernels (kernel sorting): When sorting kernels, damaged and rotten kernels, unopened small apricot pits, and impurities must be stored separately and must not be mixed into good apricot kernels. The general appearance standards for purchasing apricot kernels: product of the current year, plump kernels, normal outer skin, yellowish-brown color, white kernel flesh, no oil leakage, and no off odor.