(Tang Fuyuan)

Eucommia (Eucommia ulmoides Oliv.), also known as Jade Silk Pi, Silk Lian Pi, Silk Cotton Pi, is a deciduous tree in the family Eucommiaceae. It is native to China, distributed in the middle and lower reaches of the Yangtze River, with a cultivation history of nearly 1,000 years. it was introduced to Europe in 1896 and to the Soviet Union in 1906. It is mainly produced in Sichuan, Shaanxi, Hubei, Hunan, Guizhou, Yunnan and other provinces and regions. In addition, it is cultivated in Zhejiang, Jiangxi, Guangxi, Guangdong, Henan, Gansu and other provinces and districts. The bark and leaves are used as medicine. The whole plant, except the xylem, contains myrcene glycosides and eucommia gum. The bark contains 5-10% dulcolax, the root bark contains 10-12%, the leaves contain 3%, and the fruit contains 15-27.5%. Bark also contains resin, leaves also contain kaempferol, caffeic acid, chlorogenic acid, tartaric acid and reducing sugar, etc., the seeds also contain a large number of fatty oils, mainly linoleic acid lipids, fruit extract contains potassium 16-17%. Pharmacological experiments, the bark extract has hypotensive effect and diuretic effect, on the tuberculosis bacillus has some inhibitory effect. Sweet, slightly pungent flavor, warm nature. It has the functions of tonifying the liver and kidney, strengthening the muscles and bones, tranquilizing the fetus and lowering blood pressure. The main treatment for kidney deficiency and lumbago, waist and knee weakness, urinary leakage, fetal leakage, high blood pressure and other diseases.

I. Morphological characteristics

The height of the plant can be up to 20m, and the diameter at breast height can be more than 40cm. The trunk is straight. The bark, branches, leaves and fruits have tough and fine silvery-white gelatinous filaments visible when they are fractured; the bark is gray and rough. Platelets dark brown, with lamellar pith; crown ovate, dense; winter buds ovate, covered with dark brown scales. Leaves simple and alternate; petiole 1-2 cm long, without stipules; leaf blade ovate-elliptic, margin serrate; young leaves brown pilose on both surfaces, older leaves sparsely hairy only below along the veins. Flowers unisexual, dioecious, without perianth, usually opening before leaves, or at the same time as leaves, borne singly at the base of branchlets; male flowers shortly pedicellate, 6-10 stamens, usually 8, filaments very short, anthers striped; female flowers shortly pedicellate, 1 pistil, synthesized from 2 carpels, 1 of which is sterile, ovary flattened, long ellipsoid, 1-loculed, without style, stigma 2-lobed, downwardly Stigma 2-lobed, curved downward. Samara, narrowly long ellipsoid, flat and thin, 3-4 cm long, 1-1.5 cm wide, apex notched. Seeds 1. Chromosome x=7 (Figure 19-3).

Figure 19-3 Cortex Eucommia

1. Fruiting branch 2. Male flower 3. Female flower 4. Seed 5. Bark (showing gummy filaments)

II. Biological Characteristics

(A) Growth Habit

Deep rootedness. The main root is up to 1.35m long, and the distribution range of lateral roots and branch roots is up to 9m2, but the root system is mainly distributed between 5-30cm near the soil surface, and grows towards the moist and fertile place. Plant sprouting force is very strong, root and root or branch once harvested or mechanical damage, dormant buds can often sprout, most of the sprouting branches. The growth rate of tree height is slow at the beginning, and the fast-growing period occurs between 10-20 years of age, with an average annual growth of 0.4-0.5m; the growth rate of 20-35 year-old trees decreases gradually, with an annual growth of about 0.3m; after that, the growth rate drops sharply; the annual growth of 30-40 year-old trees drops sharply; the annual growth of 30-40 year-old trees drops sharply; and the annual growth of 30-40 year-old trees drops sharply. The growth rate of diameter at breast height (DBC) is also very slow at the beginning, and the rapid growth period occurs in the period of 15-25 years, with an average annual growth of 0.8cm; the growth rate of diameter at breast height (DBC) of 25-40 years old trees decreases gradually, with an average annual growth of 0.5cm; the growth rate decreases sharply; the growth rate of 40-40 years old trees decreases sharply; the growth rate of 40-40 years old trees decreases sharply; the growth rate of 40-40 years old trees decreases sharply. The average annual growth rate of the diameter at breast height of 40-50 years old trees was only 0.2 cm. After 50 years old, the growth of tree height and diameter at breast height were in a stagnant state. The bark growth process was basically consistent with the growth process of diameter at breast height. According to the trunk analysis, 25 years old is the peak growth period of diameter at breast height, and the thickness of bark at base diameter can reach 1 cm. The bark yield (weight) varies with the age of the tree, but it is also affected by the environmental conditions and changes. The same as the 22-year-old juniper tree, which grows in the environment of deep soil, fertile and abundant light, the fresh weight of single bark (including dry bark, branch bark) is 34.93kg, while growing in the environment of dry soil, high content of gravel and poor light conditions, the fresh weight of single bark is only 8.15kg, a difference of more than 4 times.

(2) Requirements for environmental conditions

1. Temperature

The distribution of Dulcimer producing areas spans across the central subtropics and northern subtropics, mainly belonging to the mild, warm and humid climate type in the east of China. It has a strong adaptability to temperature, with a mean annual temperature of 11.7-17.1℃, a mean temperature of 0.2-5.5℃ in January, a mean temperature of 19.9-28.9℃ in July, an absolute maximum temperature of 33.5-43.6℃, an absolute minimum temperature of -4.1 -19.1℃, precipitation of 478.3-1401.5mm in some areas can be normal growth and development. Adult trees are more tolerant of severe cold, in the newly introduced areas can withstand -22.8 ℃ low temperature, the roots can withstand -33.7 ℃ low temperature. Cultivated in some areas of the Soviet Union, temperatures as low as -40 ℃ can still survive. However, its cold tolerance is mainly manifested in the roots, when its young shoots and growing points in the fall before the formation of protective tissue, or in the spring after the buds have sprouted, it is susceptible to early frost or late frost damage. If it is introduced to the southern subtropical region, due to high winter temperatures, the lack of low temperature conditions required for winter dormancy, it is unfavorable to its growth and development.

2. Light

Light-loving, demanding light conditions, poor shade tolerance. The length of time and intensity of light has a great impact on its growth and development (Table 19-3).

Table 19-3 Relationship between the growth status of Cortex Eucommia and light conditions

3. Soil

Strong adaptability to soil. It can grow on acidic soil (red soil, yellow soil), neutral soil, slightly alkaline soil and calcareous soil. But in too thin, dry, too acidic soil growth, often occur physiological pathology, terminal buds, the main tip withered, leaf withering, growth stagnation, and even the whole plant yellow withered. Therefore, the most suitable soil for its growth is deep, fertile, moist, well-drained, PH5.0-7.5; suitable terrain for the foothills, the lower part of the mountain and the mountain rushes, gently sloping land is better than the plains and steep slopes, the soil depth of the sunny slopes is better than the shady slopes.

Three, cultivation technology

(A) varieties, types

According to the survey, from the morphological characteristics of the bark of eucalyptus can be divided into two types of rough-skinned eucalyptus (qinggangpi) and light-skinned eucalyptus (白杨皮). In the former, the bark is rough, with long stripes of deep fissures, and the color of the bark turns from gray to brown; in the latter, the bark is smoother, with shallow fissures only within 1m of the base of the trunk, and the color of the bark is grayish-white. From the weight and thickness of the inner bark which can be used for medicinal purposes, the light bark of Dulcis chinensis is superior.

(2) Selection and land preparation

Select deep, loose and fertile soil, acidic or slightly alkaline soil, well-drained sunny and gently sloping land, apply a good base fertilizer, deep turn over the soil, rake the soil, dig holes according to the plant and row spacing of 2-2.5 × 3m, 30cm deep, 80cm wide, and in the holes, apply 2.5kg of garbage fertilizer, 0.2kg of cake fertilizer, bone meal or 0.2kg of calcium superphosphate, 0.2kg of calcium superphosphate and 0.2kg of bone meal. Calcium superphosphate 0.2kg and fire soil ash, etc., mixed with the hole soil for planting.

(C) reproduction methods

Can be sown, cuttings, pressure and grafting reproduction. Seed reproduction is the main production.

1. Seed reproduction

Seed life is short, the germination of old seeds is reduced, the germination rate of 15% or less, or can not germinate, so it is not suitable for breeding. It is advisable to select fresh, full, light brown, shiny seeds in winter November-December, or spring February-March, when the average monthly temperature reaches more than 10 ℃ sowing. Seeds need to go through a period of low-temperature dormancy before they can germinate normally. Winter sowing in warm places and fall or spring sowing in cold places to meet the requirements of seed germination on low temperature conditions. The pericarp contains gelatin, which prevents the seeds from absorbing water after drying, delaying germination and reducing the germination rate. Therefore, it is advisable to sow seeds immediately after harvesting. If you need to spring sowing, the seeds should be mixed with clean moist fine sand (1:10) after seed harvesting and stratification treatment. Or before sowing, use 20 ℃ warm water to soak the seeds for 2-3 days, change the water 1-2 times a day, stirring at any time, to be taken out of the seed expansion, a little dry after sowing, can improve the germination rate. Strip sowing row spacing of 20-25cm, the amount of seed sown per mu 6-10kg. cover grass after sowing, keep the soil moist, in order to facilitate seed germination. After the seedlings emerge from the soil, uncover the cover grass in cloudy days. Each mu produces 20,000-30,000 seedlings.

2. shoot cuttings propagation

Spring and summer, cut the annual shoots, cut the length of 5-6cm plugs, inserted into the seedbed, into the soil depth of 2-3cm, in the soil temperature of 21-25 ° C, after 15-30 days can be Rooting. If you use 50ppm naphthalene acetic acid treatment plug 24 hours, plug survival rate can reach more than 80%.

3. root propagation

In the nursery seedlings, pruning seedling roots, take the diameter of the root 1-2cm thick, cut into 10-15cm root section for cuttings, the thick end of the surface of the micro-exposure, in the section below the sprouting of new shoots, the seedling rate of up to 95% or more.

4. Pressure propagation

Spring selection of strong branches pressed into the soil, 15cm deep, to be shade tiller up to 7-10cm high, cultivate soil compaction. After 15-30 days, new roots can occur at the base of the tiller. Dig up in the late fall, the budding tiller one by one to separate, planting.

5. Grafting propagation

With 2-year-old seedlings as rootstock, select the excellent mother tree 1-year-old branch as scion, cut in early spring on the rootstock, the survival rate can reach more than 90%.

(D) field management

Seedlings in the juvenile stage of the avoidance of sun exposure and drought, to appropriate shade, the dry season should be timely sprinkler irrigation to prevent drought, the rainy season should pay attention to prevent flooding. Seedling period of plowing and weeding combined with fertilizer 4-5 times, the first time in April fertilizer, mu of urea 1-1.5kg, June-August for the seedling growth period, fertilizer once a month, each time mu of urea 2kg, such as the application of rotted dilute manure, each mu of 2500-3500kg. 1-year-old seedlings should not be exposed to drought and shade, the dry season should be timely spray irrigation drought, rainy season, flooding. -When the height of 1 year old seedlings reaches more than 1m, they can be planted after leaf fall and before sprouting in the following spring. Young trees grow slowly, it is advisable to strengthen the nurturing, every spring March-April and summer May-June each plow weeding, combined with fertilization. For young trees each plant cake fertilizer 0.2kg; for adult trees mu nitrogen fertilizer 8-12kg, phosphorus fertilizer 8-12kg, potash fertilizer 4-6kg. north of the end of August after the end of the fertilizer, to avoid the late growth of too much and reduce cold resistance. In winter, cut off the inter-root tillers and lower branches of the crown to promote the growth of the main trunk. In the young period, the soil surface between the rows can be intercropped legumes, tobacco and vegetables and other crops to improve land utilization.

(E) Diseases and pests and their control

1. Rickettsial blight

(Rhizoctonia solani Ktihn.)

Occurs frequently in nurseries. In low temperature, high humidity, soil sticky seedbed, seed susceptible to disease, germ rot; in the case of high atmospheric humidity, dense seedlings or uncovered grass too late, susceptible to seedling tip rot; April-June rainy season, seedlings have not yet lignified before the disease, the base of the stem plaque brown constriction, then rotting down seedlings; June-September, the soil is sticky, heavy, poor drainage, poor management, the disease can cause damage to seedlings. June to September, the soil is sticky, heavy drainage, poor management, the victim seedlings often lead to stem base, root cortex and root rot and wither. Prevention and control methods: (1) choose loose, fertile, well-drained loam or sandy loam for seedbeds, and avoid using clay soil and the former as vegetables, cotton, potatoes and other land; (2) when the whole land, per acre of ferrous sulfate sprinkled 7.5-10kg of powder, or in the sowing of seeds before 10 days or so, per acre of 40% formaldehyde solution sprayed with 3-4kg. Then cover the grass for soil disinfection; (3) when sowing, use 50% carbendazim 2.5kg mixed with fine soil and sprinkled on the seedbed or in the sowing furrow; (4) during the onset of the disease, use 50% carbendazim 1,000 times the solution of watering.

2. Root rot

(Fusarium sp.)

The root cortex and lateral roots of diseased seedlings rot, and the plant wilts, standing upright and not collapsing' but very easy to pull up. Generally occurs in June-August, the rainy season is heavier. Prevention and control methods: choose high and dry terrain, well-drained, loose soil land for nursery; early onset of the disease with 50% Tobramycin 1000 times liquid watering; the implementation of crop rotation.

3. Leaf blight

(Septoria sp.)

Black-brown spots appeared on the leaves of the infested plants, expanding, the edge of the spot is brown, the middle is grayish-white, and sometimes the spot is ruptured and perforated, and when it is serious, the leaves are dead. Prevention and control methods: remove dead leaves in winter to reduce the source of overwintering bacteria; spray 1:1:100 Bordeaux solution during the growth period.

4. Leopard wood-boring moth

(Zeuara leuconotum Butler)

Larvae infested branches and trunks, resulting in the decline of the tree, and in severe cases, the trunks of the tree caved in the cracks, the whole tree withered. Prevention and control methods: (1) clear the garden in winter to eliminate overwintering pests; (2) in early June, before the adults lay eggs, paint the trunk with white paint I (3) larval hatching period, spray 40% Rogaine emulsion 400-800 times liquid on the trunk; (4) found in the trunk of the fresh worm droppings, to find out the worm tract, can be used to dip in the 80% of the original solution of dichlorvos or carbon disulfide liquid of the cotton ball into the worm tract, and sealed with mud, and the worm tract, and the worm tract, and the worm tract, and the worm tract, and the worm tract, and the worm tract, and the worm tract, and the worm tract, and the worm tract, and the worm tract. The insect path can be plugged with cotton balls dipped in 80% dichlorvos liquid or carbon disulfide liquid, and sealed with mud to poison the larvae.

In addition, there are aphids, Demoiselle moths and other pests.

Four, harvesting and processing

(A) Harvesting

Economic peeling of Duchenne is more suitable for 15-25 years old. Barking period to April-June tree growth period, the bark is easy to peel off, but also easy to heal regeneration. Bark harvesting methods include:

1. Partial peeling

That is, in the part of the trunk 10-20cm above the ground, staggered peeling around the trunk area 1/3-1/4 of the bark. Every year, you can change the part, so successive partial peeling.

2. Fell trees peeling

More in the old tree felling. At the ground level around the trunk saw a circular incision, according to commodity specifications upward and then saw a second incision, between the two incisions, longitudinal cuts after the ring peeling bark, and then cut down the tree, such as the method of peeling, not the length of the skin and the thicker branches peeled off the skin as a crushed skin for medicinal purposes. Stem sprouting and regeneration ability is strong, after felling in the stump can quickly sprout new shoots, breeding new trees.

3. Large-area ring peeling

In 1978, Shandong Province experiments to promote live tree ring peeling method. In June-July hot and humid season (temperature 25-30 ℃, relative humidity of more than 80%), in the trunk branches below the ground 10cm above, a large area of bad peeling bark. As long as a good grasp of the appropriate period of peeling and peeling technology, then, ring cut parts of the vascular formation layer and xylem mother cells can be re-split, so that the new skin regeneration. Therefore, peeling, do not damage the xylem, and try to minimize the damage to the formation layer, then the tree can remain alive, 2-3 years later, the bark can grow into a normal thickness, can continue to peel according to law.

In addition, the leaves of the medicine, you can choose more than 5 years old tree, in October-November leaves will fall before picking, go to the petiole, sun-dried. The amount of leaf production per plant increases with age, 5-year-old trees produce 0.7kg of leaves, 9-year-old trees produce 12kg of leaves, 17-year-old trees produce up to 18kg of leaves, folding dry rate of about 3:1.

(2) processing

Bark after harvesting with boiling water, spreading, the skin of the inner surface of the double double opposite, overlapping layers of compression, the upper and lower surrounded by grass, so that its " Sweat", about 1 week, the inner skin was dark purple when you can take out and dry, scrape off the surface of the rough skin, trimmed neatly, can be. Standing light enough scattered mature trees, single plant bark yield up to 35kg, folding dry rate 1.5-2:1.

Five, stay in the seed

Selected fast-growing, bark thickness, high yield, excellent quality, dry short, strong resistance to the female plant as the mother tree. The ratio of female plants to male plants is 10:1 to facilitate pollination and fruiting. 6-10 year old trees start to bear fruit, 20-30 year old trees for the fruiting of the peak period, and then with the age of the tree grows, the amount of fruiting decreases, 50 year old trees bear fruit significantly reduced. Seed picking should choose 20-30 years strong female plants, single plant seed picking amount 5-8kg, seed thousand grain weight 50-130g. the mother tree should pay attention to the cultivation of seed retention, every year in mid-April the 1st fertilizer, each plant urea 1kg, to promote growth. mid-June fertilizer, each plant fertilizer 100-:150kg of rotted manure. Seeds should be harvested at the right time, too early, the seed embryo is not fully developed, germination force is low; too late, the fruit is scattered, easy to mold in case of rain, not good for seeding. Seeds should be placed in a ventilated place to dry after harvesting, avoid sun exposure or fire baking, so as not to lose the germination force.