Detailed Explanation of the Key Technical Points for Artificial Management of Wild Schisandra

In the Northeast and Northwest regions there are still quite a fewSchisandrawild natural clusters. Bringing these wild Schisandra plants under domestic management can significantly increase yield and deliver economic benefits relatively quickly. The key technical points for artificial management of wild Schisandra are introduced below.

1. Forest clearing and stumping. Forest clearing means thoroughly clearing away the plants that compete with Schisandra for water, nutrients and light, including trees and weeds that hinder the growth and development of Schisandra, so as to ensure ventilation and light penetration. Clear once every spring. Stumping means promptly cutting back the new shoots and young branches that grow after forest clearing, especially the large number of tender sprouts tillering out around the Schisandra plants. Stump once each in May and August every year. After stumping, the stubble height should be below 7 cm. Forest clearing and stumping directly affect the density and crown width of Schisandra, the amount of light, the selection and retention of supports, the strength of growth vigor, the level of ground temperature, the regeneration of Schisandra and the quality of the product, and are the key to high yield. Data show that after forest clearing the average fruiting rate was 78.4%, while the average fruiting rate without forest clearing was 37.7%, an increase of 40.7 percentage points. Forest clearing and stumping are conducive to photosynthesis, and can make the Schisandra seeds plump and good in medicinal properties.

2. Setting out and planting. Practice has proved that it is appropriate to retain 700-800 plants per mu of sloped land (horizontal). While clearing the forest and stumping, select supports according to a spacing of 160-270 cm. It is appropriate for 1 support to be climbed by 2-3 plants, and natural trees should be chosen as supports as far as possible. In areas where there are gaps in the natural clusters, carry out artificial planting: dig up the larger, more densely planted Schisandra plants; when digging them up, pay attention to the root system, and plant seedlings with intact root systems and thick, sturdy vines into the gap areas. Planting should be carried out in spring and autumn: in spring before budding, and in autumn when the leaves fall, with 2 plants per hole. This ensures a full stand of seedlings.

3. Afforestation and trellising. The tree species used as natural supports have a considerable influence on the growth and development of Schisandra; generally shrubs are better than trees, and rough bark is better than smooth bark. For example, red trees, privet-leaved trees, chestnut trees and so on have a large crown spread and good ventilation and light penetration, which gives Schisandra a large proportion of female flowers, and they generally flower two days earlier. If broadleaf trees such as poplar and linden are used as natural supports, the spread is small, ventilation and light penetration are poor, the proportion of female flowers is small, and the flowering period is delayed by 1-2 days.

4. Pruning and control. Pruning and control can reduce unnecessary consumption, allow the plant's nutrients to be distributed rationally, and thereby increase yield. Cut out overly dense branches, thin and weak branches, pest- and disease-damaged branches, and short fruit branches. The height of pruned supports should preferably be 1.6 m-2 m. Adopt heading and pinching methods so that the natural supports have a strong "skeleton", a neat tree shape and a full crown, so as to satisfy the elongation of Schisandra.

5. Ventilation and light penetration. Ventilation and light penetration are an important factor in the normal development of Schisandra. Moisture plays a great role in the growth and development of Schisandra; generally on sloped land, barren hills, mixed forest land and semi-shaded and semi-sunny slopes, the proportion of female flowers of Schisandra after forest clearing is large, but excessive moisture and waterlogging are not conducive to the growth of Schisandra.

6. Fertilization and management. Generally 1000 kg-1500 kg of farmyard manure can be applied per mu, with more nitrogen fertilizer and phosphate fertilizer and a small amount of potassium fertilizer; where conditions permit, zinc fertilizer can also be added, so as to promote the absorption and utilization of nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium fertilizer by Schisandra and enhance its disease resistance. However, in the later stage of fruiting, too much nitrogen fertilizer should not be applied, otherwise it will cause fruit drop. In terms of management, the main tasks are mowing and clearing the slope in spring and autumn.

7. Weeding and pest control. After wild Schisandra is artificially transformed into patches, weeding and removal of miscellaneous vines must be carried out twice a year, and at the same time leaf blight, root rot, soybean stem borer and scarab beetles must be controlled.