Detailed Explanation of the Key Cultivation Techniques for Nine-Leaf Green Sichuan Pepper
Nine-leaf green Sichuan pepper (Zanthoxylum armatum var. novemfolius) belongs to the Rutaceae family and is a widely used spice and oilseed tree species. Through demonstration and promotion in Daying County, Sichuan in recent years, it has been proven that this pepper tree has the characteristics of wide adaptability, fast growth, early fruiting, and simple cultivation and management.
I. Advantages of This Product
1. Wide range of uses. This variety is superior to similar varieties and enters the fresh pepper market 40 days earlier, with the characteristics of high quality, good taste, and strong aroma. Vigorously planting nine-leaf green Sichuan pepper can improve the ecological environment, provide people with more abundant seasonings, and also provide high-quality raw materials for the pharmaceutical and chemical industries.
2. Obvious benefits. According to measurements, nine-leaf green Sichuan pepper is planted at 120-160 plants per 667 sq m, with a single plant yield of 3 kg-8 kg, up to a maximum of 10 kg; the average yield per 667 sq m is 1100 kg. Calculated on conservative data, planting 130 plants per 667 sq m, with a fresh pepper yield of 6 kg per plant, at current market prices, the output value per 667 sq m reaches 3120 yuan. After deducting planting costs of about 650 yuan, the net income per 667 sq m is more than 2470 yuan.
3. Simple to plant. Nine-leaf green Sichuan pepper has a well-developed root system, is drought-tolerant and barren-tolerant, grows fast, has strong resistance to pests and diseases, and is easy to manage.
II. Cultivation Techniques
1. Sowing and seedling raising. Nine-leaf green Sichuan pepper can be sown in spring or autumn. Spring sowing is arranged from mid-March to early April, and autumn sowing is carried out before the soil freezes. The seedling nursery should be given sufficient base fertilizer, turned over, finely broken up and leveled, and watered thoroughly. Before sowing, the seeds are germinated, then sown at a row spacing of 20-25 cm. The sowing rate per 67 sq m is 0.5 kg-1.2 kg. After sowing, cover with 0.5 cm of fine soil, then cover with plastic film to keep warm and moist. When the seedlings are 5-6 cm tall, thin them to a plant spacing of 12-16 cm. Do a good job of fertilizing to promote seedling growth, irrigation, and intertillage weeding.
2. Timely transplanting. ① Transplanting time. In spring, choose mid-February to March 20; in autumn, September 20 to October 10 is suitable. Autumn planting is the most suitable. ② Reasonable close planting. First, pure stands: for plots with deep soil and strong fertility, the planting spacing is 2 m x 3 m, with 110 plants per 667 sq m; for thin and poor land, plant at a spacing of 2 m square, with 166 plants per 667 sq m. Second, intercropped land: according to the growth of the intercrop, plant 60-80 plants per 667 sq m. ③ Digging pits and planting. The pits should be dug deep and wide, with a pit mouth width of 60-70 cm and a pit depth of 25-30 cm. Apply sufficient decomposed compost in the pit, then backfill with local soil. Then place the sapling, making sure the seedling is upright and the roots are straight, fill firmly with fine soil, and finally water thoroughly to settle the roots.
3. Reasonable topdressing. Topdress twice a year. The first time is during the budding period, and the second time is after fruit harvest. Fertilization can be done by hole application or ring trench application, and the holes or ring trenches should be made at the drip line of the outer canopy; the fertilizer is mainly human and livestock manure water, matched with an appropriate amount of soil-testing formula fertilizer. The amount of formula fertilizer depends on the age of the tree, applied at 0.25 kg-0.5 kg per plant, and the soil should be covered promptly after fertilization.
In addition, during the growing period, pest and disease control, intertillage weeding, and reasonable shaping and pruning should be carried out well, and during the rainy season, ditch clearing and drainage should also be strengthened.