In recent years, many regions have developed a range of high-quality traditional celery varieties, which now occupy a significant portion of the planting area. As celery is a cross-pollinated crop, it is crucial to maintain these improved conventional varieties carefully to prevent genetic degradation and ensure their viability for future planting. Establishing a solid breeding or cultivation base, along with selecting and preserving superior strains, plays a key role in maintaining the quality of the plants.
To avoid contamination, other celery varieties must not be planted within at least 4,000 meters of the main field. Natural barriers such as lake islands, remote areas, or forest belts are often used to isolate the planting site. Alternatively, a dedicated relocation area or small-scale breeding base can be set up to further reduce the risk of cross-pollination.
There are two main methods for collecting celery seeds: the large-scale seed collection method and the small plant seed collection method.
The large-scale method, also known as "old root seed collection," involves selecting healthy plants that exhibit the typical characteristics of the variety before the winter harvest. These selected plants are then kept for seed production. When only a small number of seedlings are needed, good individual plants can be transplanted to a designated area. In early spring, further selection takes place, eliminating plants that bolt too early, lack cold tolerance, or show signs of weakness. After flowering, proper watering and fertilization are essential. Since celery has a long flowering period and seeds mature unevenly, it's best to harvest them in stages. On average, this method can yield between 75 to 100 kg of seeds per mu (approximately 667 square meters). This approach allows for better selection of desirable traits like cold resistance and helps prevent variety deterioration over time, making it ideal for rejuvenating local celery varieties.
The small plant seed collection method involves sowing seeds in the fall, transplanting seedlings in early spring, and allowing them to bolt and flower before harvesting the seeds. While this method is more cost-effective, it requires strict strain selection, and improper management over multiple years can lead to genetic degradation. Therefore, it is commonly used when introducing new, high-quality varieties. Timing is critical for this method—seeds are usually sown directly in open fields around late February. If sown too late, the seedlings may not go through the necessary vernalization process, leading to poor bolting. Conversely, if sown too early, they may bolt prematurely, resulting in insufficient vegetative growth and lower seed yields. When using the small plant method, since the plants are smaller, the planting density should be higher compared to larger strains. Typically, spacing is set at 20 cm by 50 cm, with 2–3 plants per hole. All other cultivation and seed-harvesting practices remain similar to those used in the large-scale method.
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