How are sassafras seeds harvested, stored, and grown into seedlings?
Sassafras, also known as sassafras tree, nanshu, or shancha, is a deciduous tree that can reach 35 m in height and 2.5 m in diameter at breast height. The roots or stems and leaves of sassafras can be used as medicine, and it is also used for shipbuilding, waterwheels, and fine furniture.Seeds contain oil that is mainly used to make paint; the bark and leaves are used as medicine, with the effects of dispelling wind and dampness, promoting blood circulation, and dispersing blood stasis. Many farmers grow sassafras, so how are sassafras seeds harvested and stored? What are the seedling-raising methods? Now let's take a look together with the editor.
1. How are sassafras seeds harvested and stored?
Sassafras is mainly propagated by seed, and can also regenerate by sprouting. Seed trees are 10-20 years old, with high seed yield and good quality. There are many natural types of sassafras, and the seed ripening periods differ. Dashu seeds mature in early July, and Liqiu seeds mature in early August. When the sassafras fruit skin is blue-black and covered with a white waxy bloom, it means the seeds are mature. Generally, 7-10 d after maturity, the seeds fall off completely, so seed collection must be timely and can be done in batches.
After the fruits are brought back, they should be immediately soaked in cold water, rubbed to remove the fruit skin, rinsed clean with water, and then the oil on the seed surface should be soaked with a plant ash solution, washed clean with clear water, dried in the shade, and then stored in sand in a ventilated and cool indoor place.
2. What are the seedling-raising methods for sassafras?
1. Site selection
Sassafras prefers warm and humid conditions with abundant rainfall, and an annual average temperature of 12-20°C. Afforestation sites are generally below 800 m in altitude, on sunny slopes. It is suitable for growing on acidic soil with deep soil layers, good aeration, and good drainage. Acidic red soil or slightly acidic yellow soil and other soil types such as red loam, yellow loam, sandy loam, black sandy soil, and other types of filled soil, where the soil is loose, the soil layer is deep, moisture is sufficient, and drainage is good, are all suitable for planting sassafras.
2. Seed treatment
Sassafras seeds have a long dormancy period, uneven germination, and the characteristic that they can only all germinate and emerge in 2-3 years. Therefore, before sowing, use 1 part boiling water mixed with 1 part cold water to soak the seeds for half an hour, then cover them with rice straw to keep warm and promote germination, maintaining the temperature at 20-30°C. Stir and mix regularly, and after 4-5 d the seeds will show white sprouts; it is best to select the sprouted seeds for sowing in mid-February.
3. Sowing and seedling raising
Sassafras is generally drilled, with a row spacing of 18-24 cm and a plant spacing of 15-18 cm. The sowing rate per 1 hm2 is 15-22.5 kg. Seeds that have been presprouted can germinate about 15 d earlier. One-year-old seedlings can be lifted for afforestation. It is best to mix them with camphor, Chinese fir, and other tree species. If it is a pure stand, the afforestation density is best at about 1,500 plants per 1 hm2.
4. Seedling management
During the young forest period, carry out full deep plowing and bury green manure, or use replacement tending and interplant beans and green manure crops. During tending, supplementary planting, removal of sprouts, ditching for drainage, straightening, and earthing up should be done. When the canopy density reaches above 0.7 m, thinning and tending can be carried out in 1-2 times, appropriately adjusting the density, but pruning must be avoided.
The above is an introduction to sassafras. Sassafras grows in a warm and humid climate. It likes light and is not shade-tolerant. It has a deep root system, strong sprouting ability, and fast growth. It is mainly produced in Zhejiang, Jiangsu, Anhui, Jiangxi, Fujian, Guangdong, Guangxi, Hunan, Hubei, Sichuan, Guizhou, and Yunnan, China, and other provinces and regions. Sassafras likes to be mixed with other tree species, but cannot grow in waterlogged or low-lying land.
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