Detailed Explanation of Automatic Trunk Drip Infusion Fertilization Technology
Automatic trunk drip infusion of micronutrients can promote vegetative growth and development of the tree, and improve pollen viability and fruit set rate of walnut trees. Using tree trunk infusion technology can reduce or alleviate water deficit in trees in arid areas, timely replenish water to trees at critical moments, and ensure water supply during critical periods such as flower bud differentiation and fruit development.
Pictured: walnut
The method of automatic trunk drip infusion fertilization is: drill a small hole at the base of the trunk 10 cm above the ground, deep enough to reach the xylem; prepare a nutrient solution according to the results of tree nutritional diagnosis and load it into an infusion bottle; infuse the solution into the xylem through the hole using a disposable infusion set. The infused liquid can be transported upward along with the water in the xylem vessels to reach all parts of the tree. Adjust the infusion speed according to the tree's absorption rate of the nutrient solution. The infusion time should avoid the bleeding period. After infusion, treat the wound with insecticides and fungicides, seal the wound with wet mud, and bind it with black plastic film for protection to prevent invasion by pests and diseases.
The infusion volume varies greatly among trees of different ages and vigor. Older trees require a larger infusion volume. At the same time, climatic conditions also have a considerable impact on the infusion volume a tree can accept. When the weather is dry and transpiration intensity is high, the infusion speed is fast, the tree's water consumption is large, and the amount of external infusion it can accept is large; otherwise, it is small. If the fertilizer infusion concentration is too low, the effect is negligible; if the concentration is too high, it will cause phytotoxicity. The first symptoms appear on the leaves, with dry and scorched leaf margins, followed by wilting, and in severe cases, bud break can be blocked. Moreover, infusing chemical salts alone does not produce good results. Liu Genbao and others conducted repeated studies on application concentration and formula, selected the optimal concentration and formula, and filed a national invention patent. In different liquid formulas, adding a complexing agent can slow down the antagonistic effect between ions of the same valence and reduce the occurrence of fertilizer and pesticide damage. Nevertheless, the relationship between tree infusion application rate and dosage rate under different site and climatic conditions remains a complex issue that needs further research to resolve.