Construction of High-Yield Schisandra Orchards and Seedling Selection and Breeding Techniques

Terrain conditions:

Different terrains have a considerable impact on cultivated Schisandra. Under natural conditions, Schisandra is mainly distributed on shaded forest edges and open woodlands in mountainous areas, growing naturally with extremely low yields. Through artificial cultivation and 5 years of observational practice, it has been proven that more than 10 hours of all-day sunlight, an open field of view, no major obstacles around, good ventilation and light penetration, access to water, drainage capability, and a soil layer of 50 cm constitute the optimal location.

Water source conditions:

Schisandra is relatively drought-tolerant. To obtain higher yields and ensure good plant growth, strengthen rapid division of growth cells, expand the root system, and form a tree-like structure as early as possible. In addition to normal absorption by the tree body, artificial mandatory measures should be taken to promote absorption by the tree body, with multiple irrigations during the reproductive cycle. At the same time, for pest and disease control and to increase biological nutrient solution input, a large amount of water is needed. Therefore, when selecting orchard sites, attention should be paid to places within or near the orchard where sufficient water can be easily obtained. For large-scale orchard construction in particular, water sources are key and must not be neglected. Water sources must not be polluted, and water quality must meet China's farmland irrigation water quality standards.

Air environment:

The orchard should be far from polluting factories and mines, at least 500 meters from major traffic arteries, with windbreak forests planted around. The atmospheric environment quality around the orchard must meet standards. Fresh fruit produced should have a clean and bright surface, free of dust, with hygiene meeting standards.

II. Staking Out of Planting Points:

This is carried out after the entire orchard soil has been leveled and prepared. Based on land shape and geographical location, adopt a rectangular shape, 100-200 m long and 60-70 m wide. The framework setup determines row direction and plant spacing. Following a north-south orientation, the method for staking out planting points is: first measure the field operation paths for each division, then use a theodolite to measure the planting positions of each row according to row divisions, drive stakes at both ends, and connect the stakes at both ends with a line. The row spacing is 2 m, then use a meter ruler to measure equal distances along the row line for a plant spacing of 1 m. Insert stakes, which must be precise, and keep them well as a basis for planting seedlings.

III. Digging and Backfilling of Planting Trenches:

The best time for planting Schisandra is in autumn when the soil freezes and the tree body has entered dormancy, resulting in 100% survival rate. This gains 120 days of growth time for future high yields and earlier entry into full fruiting period. In spring, from soil thawing to seedling planting, there is generally less than one month. One should master planting on frozen soil, which results in fast growth and high survival rates. Seedlings should be planted flat and straight, saving time and labor intensity for future field work. The specifications of planting trenches are determined by individual capability and local soil and climate conditions. Where orchard soil is deep and fertile, planting trenches can be dug shallower and narrower, with a depth of 0.4-0.6 m and a width of 0.6-1.0 m. Where the soil layer is thin, subsoil is heavy clay, and there is more sand and gravel with good water and fertilizer permeability, planting trenches must be deep, requiring 0.6-1.0 m in depth and 0.6-1.0 m in width. If conditions permit, lay agricultural film on the ground, discard the subsoil dug out, and backfill with topsoil. Planting trenches require consistent width from top to bottom; wider at top and narrower at bottom is not standard. The specific method for backfilling planting trenches: at the bottom layer, spread 10 cm of topsoil and compact it level, lay 20 cm of chopped corn stalks and compact level, spread 10 cm of topsoil, mix chicken manure and cattle/sheep mixed manure evenly, with chicken manure at 50%, backfill 25 cm, then backfill 15-20 cm of topsoil, preserving settlement allowance, and create the ridge surface of the planting trench, with the ridge surface 10 cm above ground level, level it with a spirit level, then spread the subsoil to make the entire orchard level. The quality of planting trench preparation directly relates to the yield of the production orchard and is an important link in the success of developing the Schisandra industry. When Schisandra covers the trellis, only appropriate management is needed, requiring just over 20 labor days per mu per year. If planting trenches are not well prepared, labor input increases by more than 2 times, and yields will not be very high.

IV. Selection of Superior Seedlings:

Schisandra development is an emerging industry. Research on transforming wild plants into domestic cultivation makes its development toward cultivation unstoppable. Through 30 years of practice by the Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, it has been proven that Schisandra has matured from wild to artificial cultivation. New hybrid mutant varieties will continue to appear, which is also the main work of current growers in selecting original species and breeding hybrid high-yield seedlings, and is the development direction of Schisandra. The emergence of new varieties must be realized by you. Only by breeding superior new varieties can good economic benefits be obtained. For beginners, serious study is needed. You can go to libraries, bookstores, newspapers and periodicals, the internet, research institutes, successful growers, have discussions, visit, observe production trees in production orchards, their growth vigor, age and yield, walk and look repeatedly, select production trees with special performance: strong tree form, good appearance, large fruit load, single cluster 30-35 g, single berry 1-1.5 g, large fruit, large berries, uniform distribution, overall fruit set of more than 300 clusters, standard clusters accounting for 70%, no phenomenon of large and small berries. These are standard seed collection trees. The seedlings of such trees can be designated as original seed trees. Only when seedling quality is guaranteed can you have confidence in future production orchard yields, have no worries, and boldly invest. Currently in China, varieties with 4-year-old trees producing 7.5 kg of fresh fruit are extremely rare and very expensive. For low-priced seedlings on the market, one must clearly ask about the seedling source records, seedling characteristics, full fruiting period yield, scientific management methods, after-sales service, whether production trees are available, and whether answers are correct, for reference. If things cannot be clearly explained, then consider the seedling quality. Only by strictly controlling seedling quality can one avoid detours and achieve success in one planting.

V. Hybrid Seed Production Methods:

First, select trees in the mountains with good tree shape, large fruit load, large clusters, large berries, and overall abundant and uniform fruit set. Harvest the seeds and sow them directly for seedling cultivation. When they enter the full fruiting period, go into the orchard and select according to the same standards as above. Sow directly in spring, select during full fruiting period, and from these select seeds from 2 trees with outstanding performance, separately labeling them as male parent and female parent. Keep them far from production orchards, and configure pollinator trees in a 2:1 ratio. When fruits mature, go into the orchard to observe whether the overall fruit set throughout the orchard is consistent, the proportion of standard clusters, whether there is a phenomenon of large and small berries, and whether individual tree fruit yield is above 5 kg. If it meets the above standards, it indicates that hybrid seed production is successful. It still requires 3 years of continuous high-yield observation, and stable production volume, before applying to the provincial crop variety approval committee, and being recognized by an expert evaluation and acceptance group. Once the hybrid variety is recognized, asexual propagation can be used to produce non-variant seedlings, enabling the Schisandra industry to enter a new era and make greater contributions.