How to cultivate Sichuan pepper? A comprehensive analysis of the technical key points

I. Overview: Sichuan pepper belongs to the genus Zanthoxylum in the family Rutaceae. It has the functions of warming the middle and dispelling cold, drying dampness and killing insects, and promoting qi circulation and relieving pain. It can also be used to control stored-product pests and as a seasoning for cooking, etc. It is cultivated in most parts of the country.

II. Growth habits: Sichuan pepper is a shallow-rooted tree species, tolerant of poor soil, and not demanding about soil. Generally, it can be planted within a pH range of 6.5 to 8.0, but grows best within a pH range of 7.0 to 7.5. Sichuan pepper is cold-tolerant and can withstand low temperatures of -21°C. It can be cultivated in areas with an average annual temperature of 8 to 10°C. Sichuan pepper likes light, and generally requires an annual sunshine duration of no less than 1800 hours; it is mostly cultivated on mountain land, and even better on plains. Its root system has poor water tolerance, so low-lying and easily waterlogged land is not suitable for planting.

III. Cultivation techniques:

1. Site selection and land preparation: For seedling raising in general, choose flat land or gently sloping land that is flat, warm, sunny, well-drained, and easy to irrigate, and it is best if the previous crop was a legume; continuous cropping is not allowed. After selecting the plot, the land must be carefully prepared, leveled in time, finely cultivated, and grass roots and stones removed. Generally, autumn plowing is done before seedling raising, with a depth of 25 to 30 cm, to store water, conserve soil moisture, and improve the soil. Before plowing, apply sufficient base fertilizer and carry out soil treatment. Generally, apply 100 kg of cake fertilizer or 4000 kg of compost per mu, together with 30 kg of potassium chloride. In order to sterilize and prevent insects, carry out soil treatment 5 to 7 days before sowing. Generally, sprinkle a 1% to 3% ferrous sulfate (FeSO4) aqueous solution on the seedling-raising land, sprinkling 3 kg per sq m for sterilization. At the same time, apply 1 kg of carbofuran per mu for insect control.

2. Sowing: Sowing can be done in both spring and autumn, and autumn sowing is mostly preferred. Spring sowing is done after the soil thaws, and autumn sowing is done before the soil freezes (late October to late November). Common sowing methods include drilling and broadcasting. Drilling: open furrows and sow, generally with a row spacing of 20 to 25 cm and a sowing width of 15 cm, using 1 kg of seed per mu; broadcasting uses 2 kg per mu.

3. Thinning: Carry out the first thinning when the seedlings grow to about 3 cm; carry out final thinning when the seedlings are 10 cm tall, with the final thinning standard set at 20,000 plants per mu.

4. Planting: Generally, seedlings are planted in place after growing for 1 year. The planting season is preferably autumn or the rainy season. In northern regions, planting is often done in winter, spring, and the rainy season. Spring planting is done after the soil thaws and before the seedlings bud; winter planting is done after leaf fall and before the soil freezes. Before planting, determine the planting points according to plan, and dig holes with a row spacing of 2.2 m and a plant spacing of 1.5 m. Generally, 200 Sichuan pepper seedlings are planted per mu, and the depth of the holes depends on the seedlings. When planting, first fill the bottom of the hole with deep soil mixed with farmyard manure and tread it firm, then place the seedling into the hole, cover the roots with soil, and gently lift and shake the seedling. The planting depth should be such that the root crown of the seedling is slightly above the ground. After planting, water around the plant with settling water, and after the water infiltrates, seal the soil.

IV. High-yield and high-quality management:

1. Trunk determination: After planting, when the seedling is more than 60 cm tall, the trunk should be determined in time, with a height of 50 to 60 cm being appropriate. Cut the branches at an angle, and keep plump buds below the cut. Remove weak branches and side branches 30 to 40 cm above the ground. After survival, water once each in May and June, and at the same time apply a small amount of nitrogen fertilizer.

2. Topdressing: Sichuan pepper generally bears fruit 2 years after planting and enters full fruit-bearing stage in 3 to 4 years. Topdressing should be done after fruit picking. For young fruiting trees, apply 5 to 10 kg of farmyard manure and 0.3 kg of superphosphate per plant; for trees in full fruit-bearing stage, apply 20 to 40 kg of farmyard manure and 1 to 2 kg of superphosphate per plant. In addition, during 1 year of growth and development, spray a 0.5% urea aqueous solution once at budding in late March; spray a 0.5% monopotassium phosphate aqueous solution once and a 0.5% urea solution once at full bloom in June; during the fruit-bearing stage, spray an 800-fold solution of Gaomeishi once, and spray 0.5% urea solution plus 0.5% monopotassium phosphate once.

3. Watering: During the year, Sichuan pepper should be watered once each before budding, after fruit set, and after leaf fall.

4. Pruning: Every year, shorten the tips of the main branches and side branches, thin dense branches and keep strong ones, so that the branch groups in the canopy are robust, balanced, and well-ventilated and lighted.