What are the characteristics of betel nut?

Betel nut is also known as Betel nut and Qing Zi. It is an evergreen tree of Palmae. It is produced in Hainan, Yunnan, Taiwan Province, Fujian, Guangxi and other provinces, with a small amount of cultivation. Seeds (Yu Lang), peels (peels) and flowers are used as medicines. The seeds mainly contain arecoline and a small amount of arecoline, demethylarecoline, demethylarecoline, isodemethylarecoline, arecoline and homoarecoline. In addition, it also contains tannins, fats, amino acids and sugars. Bitter, pungent and warm in nature. The seed has the effects of invigorating stomach, expelling parasites, relaxing bowels, treating beriberi, promoting digestion and resolving food stagnation, and can be used for treating dyspepsia, abdominal pain, malaria, edema and swelling and pain of beriberi. It is a specific medicine for treating tapeworm of human and livestock. The pericarp has the functions of promoting water circulation and relaxing bowels, and can be used for treating chest distress, edema and beriberi. Flowers have the functions of relieving cough, eliminating phlegm, transforming qi, clearing heat and warming stomach.

I. Morphological characteristics

The trunk is straight, cylindrical and unbranched. The DBH is about10-15cm, and the height is over10-13m ... The stem has obvious annular leaf scars, and the young stem is green, which gradually turns gray with the growth of tree age. The leaves are clustered at the top of the stem, pinnately compound, 1.3-2m long, and the petiole is triangular and surrounds the stem. Leaflets are long lanceolate, and the surface is smooth and hairless. Spike, spathe yellow-green; Flowers unisexual, monoecious, perianth 6; Male flowers are in two rows, alternating at the top of inflorescence spikelets, with small and many flowers, about 2000; Female flowers are inserted at the base of inflorescence spikelets, with large flowers and few flowers, about 250-550. The male flower has 3 degenerated pistils and 6 stamens. Many female flowers have 6 staminodes, 3 styles, superior ovary and one room. Nuts, ovoid; A seed is conical (figure 15-72).

Figure 15—72 Areca nut morphological diagram

1. Plant 2. Flower branch 3. Short and thick fruit 4. Fruit longitudinal section 5. Cross section of seeds 2. biological property

Biological characteristics of (1) seeds

After the fruit is harvested, the seeds have the characteristic of ripening in the fruit. The germination rate of yellow mature fruit is 64.3%, semi-yellow immature fruit is 23.6%, and immature olive is 10.2%. The germination rate of olive can be increased to 665438 0.6% after it is stored indoors for 20 days and sown after the fruit turns yellow.

In a high-temperature and humid growth environment, the seeds formed are not suitable for drying, and drying and dehydration will reduce the germination rate (Table 15-49).

Table 15—49 Effect of drying treatment of betel nut seeds on germination

Because betel nut seeds are easy to lose germination ability after drying, storage with skin can prolong the life of seeds more than storage without skin, storage with skin moistening sand has a better effect of preserving seed vitality, and storage with skin in bottles can also prolong the life of seeds. Because of the tropical nature of areca nut, the germination rate of seeds stored in refrigerator at 4℃ is greatly reduced, which is due to the damage caused by low temperature to seeds (table 15-50).

Table 15—50 Effects of Different Storage Methods on Seed Germination of Areca catechu

Areca nut seeds are tightly wrapped by thick fibrous pericarp, so peeling is laborious, germination is slow and germination rate is low without peeling. Cutting off the peel of 1/4 at one end of the pedicel can not only make the germination fast and orderly, but also reduce the trouble of peeling the peel. Germination rate after 7 days of accelerating germination: peeling 60%; Cut off 57% of 1/4 peel; Only 3.3% did not peel. Total germination rate: peeling 93.3%, cutting1/4; 75% does not peel.

Betel nut seeds need high temperature to germinate. In Jinghong, Xishuangbanna, Yunnan Province, germination was accelerated in April, with an average daily temperature of about 25℃, and germination occurred in 7-20 days and 35-40 days. Seed germination needs an environment with cool conditions, small daily temperature difference and small dry and wet changes. Accelerating germination indoors, the average daily temperature is 26.4℃, the average daily temperature difference is 65438 0.8℃, the germination rate is 98%, and the germination is faster; Germination was accelerated in the sun, with an average daily temperature of 28. 1℃ and an average daily temperature difference of 13℃. The dry and wet changes of the sandy land were drastic, and the germination rate was only 4 1.5%, so germination was slow.

(2) Growth and development and its requirements for environmental conditions

Generally, betel nut blossoms and bears fruit 7-8 years after planting, 4-5 years earlier and 10 years later. The flowering and fruiting of areca catechu is closely related to the planting environment and tending management. The flowering period is generally from March to June, and the fruit maturity is from March to June of the following year. In the early 2-3 years of mature trees, there is a phenomenon of flowering without fruit or a small amount of fruit. 20-30 years after planting is the full fruit period. The general service life can reach 40-50 years, and the highest service life can reach 100 years or more. After 40 years, the yield will gradually decline, and after 50 years, the growth will decline, so it can be updated and replanted according to its situation.

Areca catechu, originally a tropical rain forest plant, has grown in tropical monsoon forest for a long time in China, and has formed the habit of liking temperature, humidity and fertilizer.

1. temperature

Generally, the average annual temperature is above 265438 0℃, and it can grow in frost-free areas in winter. But the optimum growth temperature is 25-28℃. When the temperature drops to 16℃, defoliation will occur; Fruit drop occurs when the temperature drops to 5-6℃; At 3℃, the leaves turn yellow, the tip of the leaf dies, the fruit turns black and falls off, and the individual plant dies. Areca catechu died seriously below-1℃. The cold resistance of old trees is stronger than that of young trees and seedlings. The death caused by cold varies according to the region and terrain. The mountainside is heavier than that of Hainan, and the mountainside is heavier than that of Yunnan. Generally, mountainous areas are heavier than plains, and the northern slope of the same hill is heavier than the southern slope. Sometimes, although the latitude is north, plants die less because of the special microenvironment to avoid the cold. Therefore, we should pay close attention to the selection of terrain in short-term low temperature areas. Watering in time to prevent cold can reduce the degree of freezing injury. Generally, it grows better in low altitude areas.

Step 2: Moisture

Betel nut prefers dampness to stagnant water, with abundant rainfall and even distribution, which is beneficial to growth. Areca catechu can grow in areas with annual rainfall above 1200mm, but it grows better in areas with annual rainfall between 1500-2200mm, especially in areas with annual rainfall between 1700-2200mm. In arid areas or dry seasons, irrigation must be strengthened. The relative humidity of air is high (about 80%), which is stable for a long time and is beneficial to growth. Areca catechu is planted in valleys in mountainous areas, rivers and fields in plain areas, with good growth and many fruits. It is especially necessary to keep the soil moist when you are young, because the root system is few and shallow, the stem tip is tender and tender, and it is easy to die of drought.

lamplight

Some shade is needed at seedling stage and young stage. If the light is too strong, it is easy to burn young leaves, affect growth and cause death. However, excessive shading will cause plants to grow white, fragile and have many diseases and insect pests. Generally, the shading degree at seedling stage is 50-60%, and it is 40% two years before planting. After that, with the growth of tree age, the amount of shading will gradually decrease until mature trees need full light. Adequate light is beneficial to flower bud differentiation and flowering and fruiting.

4. Land

Soil is the key to the economic life of betel nut. I like to grow in sandy loam with deep soil layer, black topsoil and rich organic matter, such as humus soil in mountainous areas, garden soil by the river in alluvial soil and the front and back of the village. The thickness of the soil layer is greater than 100cm, and the underlying soil is red soil or yellow soil. It is not suitable for planting in shallow soil with small pebbles, unweathered, alluvial beaches, saline-alkali land, land that cannot be irrigated by drainage after years of drought, and land with strong acidity and difficult to transform.

5. wind

Areca catechu is a wind-blown flower. It is reported that the distance of pollen spread by wind can reach 1000 meters. A certain wind speed is beneficial to the spread and pollination of pollen, but exceeding a certain wind speed is not only unfavorable to pollination, but also easy to tear leaves and blow off flowers, branches and young fruits, which affects the growth and development of plants. After the rare typhoon 14 1973 hit Hainan Island, most of the betel nuts were blown off more than four leaves, which affected the normal photosynthesis. In some severely affected areas, betel nut will die in the future. Most areca catechu did not blossom and bear fruit for two consecutive years, and it did not return to normal until 1976. Therefore, in areas frequently hit by typhoons, we should not only choose natural leeward or low-lying land for planting, but also consider building windbreaks to create conditions for high-yield betel nut.

Third, cultivation techniques.

(1) breeding method

Raise seedlings with seeds. Seed selection and germination must be carried out before seedling raising.

1. Seed selection

It is reported that India can get an increase of 10% from seed selection. The survey data of origin shows that China can choose betel nut seeds from the following three aspects to increase production.

(1) plant selection

The mother tree should be 15-30 years old, with normal fruit, no pests and diseases, high and stable yield, no less than 300 fruits per plant, no less than 3 receptacles, more than 8 leaves, slightly drooping dark green, uniform stem size up and down, and short upper internodes.

(2) Ear selection (fruit selection tray)

Areca catechu has been planted for more than 10 years. Generally, there are 3-5 fruit receptacles and 7 individual plants. The first fruit ripens early, uneven, small, irregular buds and low germination rate. Generally speaking, it is more suitable to choose the fruits of the second and third supports as seeds.

(3) Single choice

Mature fruits are divided into oval, oval, oval, inverted oval, heart-shaped, round and olive. It is best to choose oval and oval. Choose a big, full, disease-free, crack-free or not obvious, and the fruit is golden when it is ripe.

Accelerate germination

The germination rate of germinated fruits is fast and neat, which is beneficial to seedling management. There are many ways to accelerate germination, such as accumulation, seedbed and laundry list. Seedbed germination method has inconsistent seed germination, high management labor intensity and large area; A large number of baskets are used to accelerate germination, which is costly and costly; The method of accelerating germination by accumulation is generally simple, easy to manage and effortless, and can accelerate germination in large quantities. The method of accelerating germination by accumulation is mostly used in producing areas, and the methods are as follows:

Put the harvested fruit on the ground for 1-2 days, so that the seeds can evaporate part of water and absorb part of heat energy, promote the physiological and biochemical changes of the seeds and germinate early. If labor permits, peel off 1/4, and germination will be faster. Then choose a well-drained and cool place near the water source, such as under a big tree, indoors or artificially built shade shed as a place to accelerate germination. On the ground where planting is selected, the planting thickness is generally below 20cm and should not be too thick. The length and width depend on the actual situation in Miao Di. When there are many seeds, a pedestrian walkway should be left every1-1.2m to facilitate the management work such as watering and inspection. Cover the pile with a layer of straw to prevent the seeds from being exposed, and thoroughly drench them with water. Pay attention to cover the grass and moisturize it in the future. Seed germination will be checked after about 15-20 days, and then every 7-8 days. Germinated seeds will be picked out to raise seedlings, and non-germinated seeds will continue to germinate. The effect of accelerating germination indoors is better, and the germination rate is above 90%. The average daily temperature of seedbed should be lower than 36.65438 0℃ and that of daily maximum temperature should be lower than 36.5℃. When the daily average temperature exceeds 36. 1℃ and the daily maximum temperature exceeds 36.5℃, rotten fruit may be produced and the germination rate will be reduced (table15-51).

Table15-51the relationship between different germination methods and temperature of betel nut and germination rotten fruit 3. grow seedlings

Seedbeds and nutrition bags can be used to raise seedlings. Seedbed seedling selection is strict, management and transportation are inconvenient, roots are easily damaged when planting, and the survival rate is not as high as that of nutrient bag seedling. Nutrition bags are often used to raise seedlings in production. Proper shading is needed when raising seedlings.

(1) nutrition bag seedling raising

A nutrition bag with a length of 25cm and a width of 18cm is made of plastic film (a smaller nutrition bag is acceptable, but the nutrition supply is poor), and four small holes are punched in the lower half of the bag to make it breathable and permeable. Nutrient soil and decomposed cow dung are evenly mixed according to the ratio of 1∶ 1, put into bags to 4/5, and then put into river sand until the bags are full, so as to avoid surface soil hardening. A germinated seed is placed horizontally or vertically in each bag (the bud point is upward), and the seed is soaked in seven depths to cover the seed. Keep it moist all the time in the future.

(2) Seedbed seedling raising

Choose sandy loam or loam with loose and fertile soil near the water source as nursery land. After ploughing and raking, manure or pond mud is applied as base fertilizer and mixed with soil to make border. The boundary is 4-5m long, 1m wide and 12- 15cm high. And spread a layer of fine sand about 4 cm thick on the edge to avoid the hardening of the surface soil and facilitate the seedlings to take root. Dig holes according to the plant spacing of 20×30cm, put a germinated seed in each hole, and cover the top of the seed with soil so that the buds just emerge from the soil. Gently press the soil surface, cover the grass and water it. When the first leaflet is unfolded, dilute human excrement or ammonium sulfate can be applied 1-2 times a month, and weeding and ridging can be carried out 3-4 times a year.

(2) Land selection and land preparation

It is advisable to choose areas without low temperature and humidity, loose soil and fertile soil. Such as the mountain, the river, the field, the village, the front and back of the house, etc. In areas with occasional low temperature, foothills and valleys on the south and southeast slopes and places avoiding northwest winds should be selected. Cut down weeds and over-dense shrubs and burn them as fertilizer, and properly keep shrubs for shade. Contour terraces around steep slopes, with row spacing of 3 meters. The terrace surface inclines inward by about 15 degrees. 65438+ 0-2 months before planting, dig a pit with a spacing of 2m between plants, so that the soil can be fully weathered. The hole is 50cm wide and 40cm deep, and soil mixed fertilizer or manure 10kg is applied to each hole as the base fertilizer, and the surface soil is returned to the hole. In addition, it can also be used as a temporary shade for planting fast-growing flying grasses or leguminous plants in rows to inhibit weeds and maintain soil moisture, and can also be used as green manure to inhibit green in the future.

(3) Planting

Areca catechu seedlings grow for about one year, with a height of 50-60 cm and can be planted with 5-6 leaves. February-March in spring or 8- 10 in autumn in Hainan, and May-June in Yunnan are suitable for planting in warm rainy season. It is best to choose cloudy day for planting, and water it 1-2 days before planting. Don't break the nutrition bag during transportation; Don't hurt the roots when raising seedlings in seedbed. Dachuan should take as much soil as possible to protect the roots. When planting, the nutrition bag should be discarded, not too deep, and the grass should be covered to spray the roots. Keep it cool and the soil moist in the future.

(4) Site management

1. Weeding and ridging

Young trees need to be regularly weeded and cultivated, at least 2-4 times a year, to keep the plants free of weeds and loose soil, and at the same time cover the betel nut head with weeds. In the spring, combine weeding and soil cultivation to cover the fleshy adventitious roots exposed in the soil. After soil culture, adventitious roots often grow, expanding the root system to absorb water and nutrients.

Step 2: Topdressing

Mainly organic fertilizer, mainly chemical fertilizer. Fertilize once every quarter within three years, dig a pit or ditch 20cm outside the crown, and fertilize alternately in the southeast and northwest directions. Apply about 5 kg of human excrement or 25-50 g of ammonium sulfate to each plant each time, mix 5 kg of green manure, cover the soil and water. Fertilize once a year in spring and autumn after the third instar and before flowering and fruiting, and apply green manure or manure 10kg, mixed ammonium sulfate 100- 150 g and calcium superphosphate 150-250 g to each plant. Fertilize the flowering and fruiting trees once every March and June at 5438+00, and apply green manure or manure10kg each time, and add urea100-150g, calcium superphosphate 250-500g and potassium chloride100-/kloc-.

3. Drainage and irrigation

Betel nut likes humid environment, but it is not suitable for water accumulation. Therefore, areas with less rainfall and long dry season need to be watered in time to ensure adequate water supply. In areas where excessive precipitation is likely to cause water accumulation in rainy season, drainage ditches should be dug in advance to remove excess water and prevent root rot from affecting growth.

4. Shading and intercropping

Three years after planting, areca catechu is young, with few, shallow and tender roots, which can not stand the sun and dry soil. Proper shading is needed to keep the soil moist. Green manure such as Eupatorium odoratum, Japanese green, cajanus cajan and Tephrosia vogelii can be planted as short-term shade between rows. intercropping crops can be planted in the second year of planting, and green manure plants can be cut off and pressed green in the third year. Intercropping crops can choose shrubs such as Gardenia; Herbs such as Catharanthus roseus, Kidney Tea, Alpinia oxyphylla, Andrographis paniculata, etc. Banana, pineapple, pepper, cocoa and other cash crops. It can not only play a certain role in shading betel nut before flowering and fruiting, but also prevent soil erosion and increase economic income. However, attention should be paid to fattening to prevent betel nut and intercropping crops from competing for nutrients and lacking fertilizer. The upper layer of betel nut flowering and fruiting tree needs plenty of sunshine. At this time, if there is a intercropping crops higher than the betel nut tree, intercropping crops will not grow taller than the betel nut tree as time goes by.

(5) Pests and diseases and their control

1. Leaf spot

There are many kinds of leaf spot diseases of betel nut, mainly including the following: Phytophthora arecae diedecke, which causes gray-brown irregular spots, extending from the top to the base, and the outer ring is dark brown. Pestalotia palmarum Cooke is a genus of polychaetes, which produces lesions at the tips and edges of leaves and then causes tissue death. Anthrax. ) There are irregular taupe spots and wheel marks on the leaves. The leaves of Phomophilum camelliae have light brown irregular spots and dark brown stripes on the edges. Prevention and control methods: (1) Pay attention to clearing the garden, often remove dead leaves and burn them to reduce the source of bacteria; (2) spraying bordeaux mixture 1∶ 1∶ 150 or using Du Rui mold for control; (3) Pay attention to ventilation and light transmission at seedling stage, and it should not be too dense or overcast.

2. Fruit rot

(Hyalodendron sp.) and Fusarium.

Lead to brown rot of green fruit pedicle, lead to fruit drop. The control method is the same as leaf spot.

3. Ear blight

(Colletotrichum gloeosporioides. )

It harms the ear and fruit, making it brown and rotten, with small black spots (pathogen conidia). Prevention and control methods: immediately remove the fallen fruits and leaves on the ground, burn them centrally, and spray anthrax Fumei and carbendazim in young fruits and green fruits.

4. Root rot

(Phytophthora. )

It is harmful to seedlings, making their roots rot into dark brown, leading to death. Prevention and control methods: control soil moisture; Irrigation with 800- 1000 times of 5% carbendazim wettable powder during the occurrence period; Pull out the diseased plant immediately and disinfect the diseased spot with lime.

5. Red-veined ear borer

(Tirathaba rufina Walker)

It is an important pest of betel nut and also harms coconut and oil palm. Adults lay eggs in cracks, wounds, buds, fruit stalks and other cracks and wrinkles. The newly hatched larvae eat flowers and fruits, eat bare ears and empty nuts. Larvae spin silk, binding insect dung and debris into adult path, which is invisible. Flowering period and young fruit period are the most harmful, leading to fruit drop. This insect is common in Areca catechu producing areas in Hainan, which is particularly harmful to young trees that have just borne fruit and directly threatens the yield. According to a rough estimate, the loss caused by this insect can be as high as more than 40%. In Hainan, betel nut has been born for more than eight generations last year, and there is no obvious wintering and summering stage. When areca nut is harvested in autumn and winter, it will damage the heart leaves and lead to baldness or death under poor feeding conditions. Control method: (1) Pay attention to picking up fallen fruits at any time, especially after harvesting in autumn and winter, clear the fallen fruits and litters out of the garden and burn them to reduce insect sources. (2) In serious plots, in March and April (young trees should be reduced), combined with fertilization, applying 0.25kg/ plant of 3% carbofuran granules can basically control the harm of flowering and young fruit, and can also treat other pests. The application method is to dig a semi-circular ditch with a depth of about 65,438+00 cm in the rhizosphere, cover the soil and compact after application, or spray the pesticide twice in April, May, August and September, and add 3% neem oil or 65,438+000 times Bt emulsion and 65,438+00% alachlor to the pesticide.

Fourth, harvesting and processing.

(1) Harvest

Due to the different requirements of commodity specifications, the harvest period is also different. Generally, harvesting is divided into two periods. In the first stage, olives were harvested from11-65438+February and processed into dried ham. The best quality is to harvest olives with oval or oval shape, persistent calyx at the base and immature slender seeds inside. In the second stage, ripe fruits are harvested from March to June and processed into Yu Lang. It is a good product to harvest round or oval orange or bright red ripe fruits and fill them with seeds, and process them into Yu Lang. The harvesting method is to tie a sharp sickle to a bamboo pole with a required height, and cut off the base of the fruit holder from bottom to top according to the order of the fruit holder of each betel nut. It is best for someone to catch the cut fruit under the tree to prevent the fruit from falling off the calyx of some fruits when it falls to the ground, which will affect the quality of the processed dry hammer. When cutting, do not cut the stem or petiole below the base of the fruit holder, so as not to affect the growth.

(2) Processing

Different product specifications have different processing methods.

1. Yu Lang

Sun-dry the ripe fruit for 1-2 days, then put it in an oven and slowly dry it with dry firewood for about 7- 10 days, then take it out and cool it, break the peel with a small hammer, take it out and sun-dry it for 1-2 days to get the product. Ordinary 100kg fresh fruit can be processed into Yu Lang17-19kg.

Step 2 do it.

Remove the branches from the picked olives, then put the fruits in a pot and boil them with water for about 30 minutes, take them out to dry, and then put them in an oven and bake them with wet firewood. Bake for about 2-3 days, turn it once and turn it twice in a row. Bake for about 8- 10 days. Glue it from the top to the bottom. If it is inserted, the bottom layer is dry. Take it out at this time and dry it. It is best for the baked dry hammer that the calyx does not fall off, the two ends are not fluffy, dark brown and shiny, and there is a noise when shaking. General 100kg fresh fruit can bake 20-25 kg dry ham.

3. Big belly skin

Cut the ripe fruit in half, peel it, dry it in the sun, loosen it and dry it.

4. Betel nut flower

Dry unopened male flowers. It is best to use khaki or light brown.