What is the planting prospect of Cornus officinalis in 2020? Analysis of high-yield cultivation techniques

Cornus officinalis, commonly known as flesh jujube, is planted throughout China. Its fruit can be used for medicinal and edible purposes, its tree form is ornamental, and its economic value is quite high. So what is the planting prospect of Cornus officinalis in 2020? What are the high-yield cultivation techniques?

1. What is the planting prospect of Cornus officinalis in 2020

Cornus officinalis can treat symptoms such as neurasthenia, dizziness and tinnitus. It is the main drug in various Liuwei Dihuang Pills and Shiquan Dabu Pills. The development of green health foods using Cornus officinalis as a raw material can produce beverages, jam, candied fruit, canned food and many other foods, and it has relatively high economic value. The market price of Cornus officinalis is 35 yuan/kg, and high-quality fruit can reach 46 yuan/kg. Prices have risen continuously in recent years, reaching 48 yuan/kg in March 2020, and the prospect is viewed favorably.

2. High-yield cultivation techniques for Cornus officinalis

1. Site selection

For the nursery site of Cornus officinalis, it is best to choose gently sloping land or flat land that is sheltered from the wind, faces the sun, has good light and deep soil. The soil should be loose, fertile, moist, well-drained sandy loam, close to a water source, and in a place convenient for irrigation. The soil pH should be neutral or slightly acidic. The hillside should be sheltered from the wind and face the sun at an altitude between 200-1200 m, with a slope not exceeding 20°-30°. Cornus officinalis is not suitable for cultivation in high mountains, shady slopes, places with insufficient light, heavy clay soil, poor drainage and similar locations.

2. Land preparation

After the nursery site is selected, a deep plowing should be carried out before winter, with a depth of 30-40 cm being appropriate. Before sowing, 2500-3000 kg of farmyard manure and 50 kg of fully fermented cake fertilizer can be applied per mu. Make beds 1.2 m wide, with a 30 cm wide ditch and 25 cm high, and the bed surface shaped like a tile back. For nursery sites prone to underground pests such as mole crickets and grubs, 1.5 kg of phoxim powder can be spread per mu during land preparation to control underground pests, and 0.5 kg of 50% carbendazim can be used to disinfect the soil to control damping-off disease in the nursery.

3. Seedling stage management

When Cornus officinalis seedlings grow 2 true leaves, thinning should be carried out with a seedling spacing of 7 cm, weeds should be removed, intertillage should be done in early June, and watering should be done once before winter, while soil should be banked around the seedling roots so they can overwinter safely.

Because the seed coat of Cornus officinalis is hard and not easy to germinate, whether sown in spring or autumn, plastic film should be used promptly after sowing to keep warm and moist. Under normal conditions, seedlings can all emerge within 1 year. After full emergence, management should be strengthened, soil should be loosened and weeds removed in a timely manner, watering should be done according to soil moisture, and fertilizer should be applied to promote seedling growth. When seedlings are cultivated to a height of 80-100 cm, they can be lifted from the nursery and planted out.

4. Field management

After planting out, carry out intertillage and weeding 4-5 times each year; in May and June, apply additional calcium superphosphate to promote flower bud differentiation and increase the fruit-setting rate; in winter, apply additional winter fertilizer, which can also balance the difference between high-yield and low-yield years. Bank soil once in summer to prevent lodging. When young trees are about 40-60 cm tall, remove the terminal shoots in February, select and retain 3-4 main branches, and then select and retain 3-4 secondary main branches on the main branches to form a natural open-center shape. For young trees, shaping is primary and pruning is secondary. Also, because long, medium and short fruit branches of Cornus officinalis all mainly bear fruit from terminal flower buds, all types of fruit branches should not be cut back. Adult trees are pruned in spring and autumn to regulate the contradiction between growth and fruiting, renew fruiting branch groups, retain growing branches, and carry out heading back to promote branching.

Although the planting prospect of Cornus officinalis is favorable, it is also necessary to investigate the local market conditions and purchasing situation so that nothing goes wrong.