What to Do When the Survival Rate of Planted Sichuan Pepper Is Low? Cause Analysis and Solutions

Main Causes of and Countermeasures for the Low Survival Rate of Planted Sichuan Pepper

Sichuan pepper grows fast, bears fruit early, and has relatively high economic benefits, making it a major tree species for poverty alleviation and prosperity in poor mountainous areas. In recent years, with the large-scale implementation of the Grain for Green Project, the area planted with Sichuan pepper has increased year by year, but the survival rate is not high. The reasons mainly include the following aspects.

1. Too little local seedling raising In recent years, Sichuan pepper seedlings have mostly been raised in river valley areas with better water and fertilizer conditions, resulting in pepper seedlings raised in river valley areas being planted in mountainous areas. The site conditions for Sichuan pepper differ greatly, and the seedlings cannot adapt all at once, which directly affects survival.

2. Careless seedling lifting and transport Some seedling growers are too money-minded and will stop at nothing as long as they can sell the seedlings. As a result, seedling lifting is rough and root damage is rather serious; in addition, there is no packaging and the bare roots are transported, exposed to wind and sun, causing excessive water loss from the seedlings and resulting in a low survival rate after planting.

3. Poor seedling quality No strict checks were made on small seedlings, seedlings with a low degree of lignification, seedlings with severely damaged root systems, and heeling-in seedlings that had been stored for a long time, yet they were still used for afforestation on the hills. Their vitality is not strong, and even if some survive, the preservation rate is not high.

4. Careless planting With an attitude of just completing the task, planting was not carried out according to the correct planting method. Root balling, exposed roots, loose roots (not trampled firm), and damaged bark were everywhere, and broken fibrous roots were also common. This is also a reason for reducing the planting survival rate.

5. Lack of management after planting Planting without management, with care and protection neglected. For example, trampling by people and livestock, pulling and breaking, long drought without rain, and damage by diseases and pests. At the same time, during supplementary planting last autumn, it was found that quite a number of pepper seedlings, although their main stems had dried up, had sent out tender buds from the root collar. Because there was no timely management, the tender buds were mostly scorched to death by dry soil.

In view of the above reasons for the low survival rate of planted pepper seedlings, the following measures are recommended.

1. If conditions permit, raise seedlings locally as much as possible, or transfer dryland seedlings from other places for planting. For planting on hills, river valley oil pepper varieties have a higher survival rate than other varieties.

2. Be sure to irrigate 3 days before lifting seedlings. When lifting seedlings, try to minimize damage to the root system and keep more soil around them; after lifting, make bundles of 50 seedlings each, wrap the roots of each bundle with straw bags or plastic film, and lift, wrap, transport, and plant as you go.

3. Strictly control the quality standards of pepper seedlings. Select high-quality seedlings with a root collar diameter of 0.70 cm, a height of more than 50 cm, an intact root system, and a high degree of lignification for planting.

4. Plant carefully. Dig holes before planting. Keep topsoil and subsoil separate. When planting, hold the seedling upright in the hole, first fill in topsoil and then subsoil, so that the root system spreads out; after planting, tread firm and water to preserve soil moisture and ensure survival. Spring planting should be carried out when the buds are about to sprout; autumn planting should be carried out in late autumn and early winter. To prevent freezing and wind damage, after planting, cut the trunk at 20 cm above the ground and earth up. After the soil thaws the following spring, remove the earth to ensure survival.

5. Strengthen seedling management and protection. Grazing in afforestation areas, or pulling and breaking by people, is prohibited. Do not easily pull out the planted seedlings before the dog days; observe them at all times. For those sprouting from the root collar, especially those sprouting during the dog days, remove the soil in time to avoid dry soil scorching the tender buds. When conditions permit, watering can be done to promote survival.