International Journal of Horticulture, 2024, Vol.14, No.6, 426-437 http://hortherbpublisher.com/index.php/ijh 433 sufficient space and sunlight. Proper vine training helps plants receive more light, enhancing photosynthesis, promoting healthy growth, and preventing disordered vine growth. 6.2 Pruning techniques to promote growth and quality Pruning is an important measure in the cultivation of Akebia trifoliata to improve fruit quality and yield. During the growth period, Akebia trifoliata requires regular pruning to remove weak, crossing, and dead branches, reducing nutrient consumption and ensuring that the nutrients are focused on healthy branches and fruit development (Xiao et al., 2019). Pruning should be done during the spring sprouting period to promote lateral branch growth, increase fruiting rates, and enhance overall yield. In addition, proper pruning can also improve plant ventilation, reduce the incidence of pests and diseases, and provide a favorable growing environment for fruit development. During the pruning of Akebia trifoliata, the pruning method should be adjusted according to the plant's growth status. For example, overly dense branches should be thinned to ensure even distribution and prevent crowding, which can lead to insufficient light. Proper pruning during the growth period helps shape the plant into an ideal structure, which is beneficial for later fruit harvesting. 6.3 Fruit thinning techniques to improve fruit quality Fruit thinning is an important technique to ensure the uniform quality and size of Akebia trifoliata fruits. During the growth of Akebia trifoliata, the inflorescence is racemose, and each inflorescence may bear multiple fruits, making fruit thinning necessary to control the number of fruits, concentrate nutrients, and improve fruit quality (Bi et al., 2022, South-Central Agricultural Science and Technology, 43(1): 40-42,60). Thinning should be done before the first rapid growth phase of the young fruits, typically retaining only two fruits per inflorescence to ensure concentrated nutrient supply. During thinning, it is best to retain fruits that are uniform in size and well-shaped, while removing weak, misshapen, and pest-affected fruits to minimize nutrient loss. During the thinning process, the distribution of fruits on each branch should be observed to avoid over-dense fruits, which could lead to uneven nutrient distribution. Scientific fruit thinning helps Akebia trifoliata fruits achieve the desired size and flavor, thus increasing their market value. During the critical stage of fruit development, thinning effectively enhances the individual fruit weight and overall quality, further meeting the market demand for high-quality Akebia trifoliata. 7 Pest and Disease Control 7.1 Common pests and control methods In the cultivation of Akebia trifoliata, no major pests have been found that significantly affect yield, but young shoots and leaves are susceptible to infestations by aphids and other pests. Aphids primarily damage the plant by extracting sap, causing leaves to curl and wither, which affects the plant's normal growth. If aphid damage is observed, a 40% imidacloprid solution can be diluted at a ratio of 1 500 to 2 000 times and sprayed on the affected plants, with 1-2 applications effectively controlling aphid spread (Liu et al., 2023). When using insecticides, adding foliar fertilizers like potassium dihydrogen phosphate to the solution can promote plant growth, making the plants more resistant to pests and reducing the likelihood of infestations. To minimize the environmental impact of pesticides, it is recommended to adopt eco-friendly methods for pest control, such as manual collection, traps, and the use of natural predators (Murtaza et al., 2019). Regular monitoring of pests in the field allows early detection, which can be managed by manually removing affected branches and leaves to prevent pest spread. In addition, proper soil treatment and weed removal before planting help reduce the habitats of pests, thereby lowering the risk of infestations. These preventive measures contribute to the healthy growth of Akebia trifoliata while reducing the need for chemical pesticides. 7.2 Disease control measures No diseases have been found that significantly affect the growth and yield of Akebia trifoliata during cultivation, but preventive measures are still needed to avoid the occurrence and spread of diseases. During humid and rainy
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