Jasmine flowers are the natural fragrance crop used to scent jasmine tea. Qianwei County is a major jasmine-growing county in Sichuan Province and a key demonstration county for flower production in the province. How to further improve yield and quality, and develop high-quality, high-yield, high-efficiency, and pollution-free jasmine production, is a problem that needs serious attention in current production. The relevant results of years of production practice and experimental research are summarized below for reference and application in the development of pollution-free jasmine production.

    I. Timely transplanting and reasonable planting density are essential for a high yield.　　

    Jasmine cultivation requires flat terrain, convenient irrigation and drainage, deep, loose, fertile, slightly acidic to neutral loam. New planting sites should be deeply tilled and the soil thoroughly to promote ripening and release harmful substances. Three main irrigation ditches and perimeter ditches should be dug to drain waterlogged areas. After tilling, before transplanting, prepare planting beds and apply sufficient base fertilizer, primarily well-rotted farmyard manure, with a balanced application of nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium. Prepare the land meticulously, leveling the bed surface before planting. Transplanting is generally best done from mid-March to early April (spring planting) or from late September to early/mid-October (autumn planting), which helps improve survival rates and reduce production costs.

    Select robust seedlings that are 25-30 cm tall, with at least two branches at the base of the stem, well-developed root systems, and free from pests and diseases. This promotes vigorous growth and early production. For field cultivation, generally plant in double rows with staggered planting or single rows with single planting, promoting standardized cultivation. For double rows with staggered planting, use a row spacing of 50-60 cm and a planting hole spacing of 20-25 cm, planting two plants per hole, with 3000-4000 holes per mu (approximately 0.067 hectares). For single rows with single planting, use a row spacing of 50 cm and a planting hole spacing of 30-40 cm, with 2500-3000 holes per mu. A planting density of 5000-6000 or 6000-10000 plants per 667 m² is ideal. Overly sparse or dense planting is detrimental to early economic yield and quality, and also hinders the extension of the flowering period. After three years of high-yield cultivation, the plant enters its formal production period, achieving a yield of 400-500 kg per 667 m², with first and second-grade flowers accounting for over 85%. When transplanting, the bed width should be 1.5-2.0 meters, the furrow depth 25-30 cm, and the planting hole depth 10-15 cm. After transplanting, promptly water thoroughly with manure to promote early survival. Simultaneously, cover the bed surface with straw to maintain soil moisture and control weeds. In the early stages after transplanting, pay attention to frequent light fertilization and management to prevent drought and waterlogging. Once established, the plant will enter the flowering period, and its management should follow the requirements for large-scale field production.　　

    II. Proper pruning, leaf thinning, and branch removal lay the foundation for a bumper harvest.　　

    Pruning, leaf thinning, and branch removal are special management measures for high-yield jasmine cultivation. Pruning can be divided into two types: growing season pruning and dormant season pruning. Growing season pruning is done from spring budding until winter cessation of growth, while dormant season pruning is done before spring budding. Pruning should avoid being too heavy or too light. Over-pruning will result in delayed flowering, fewer flowers, and reduced yield. Under-pruning will lead to a dense canopy, fewer and smaller flowers, also affecting yield. The purpose of pruning is to remove old and diseased branches, reduce the plant's nutrient consumption, promote early and uniform budding, early bud formation, and thus early and high yields. The method of dormant season pruning is to cut the tree horizontally 20-30 cm above the ground, or cut off 2/3 of the upper branches, ensuring uniformity across the entire field. For aging orchards, pruning can also be done by stacking branches 3-5 cm above the ground. Dormant season pruning is generally best done from late March to mid-April. After pruning, select branches that meet the requirements for seedling propagation. Studies suggest that under proper pruning conditions, higher stubble height leads to earlier spring flowering but is less likely to increase yield per unit area, while lower stubble height results in later flowering but is more conducive to increasing yield per unit area, especially for "summer flowering" (flowering during the hottest part of summer). This is mainly because newly sprouted branches have lower and more nodes, resulting in more flower buds and thus more flowers. Pruning during the growing season primarily involves pruning plants in gardens that are growing too vigorously and have poor ventilation and light penetration.　　

    Leaf thinning, also known as leaf removal or leaf pruning, involves removing old and overly dense leaves to reduce nutrient consumption, improve ventilation and light penetration, stimulate new bud growth, and reduce pest and disease damage. Leaf thinning is further divided into thinning overwintering leaves, which involves removing vigorous overwintering leaves and diseased leaves from top to bottom, leaving the upper parts intact. Thinning overly dense leaves is generally done in July, and can be done after each flowering season. Old and diseased leaves in the middle and lower parts of the canopy should be removed in stages. For vigorous plants with many leaves, more severe thinning is needed, generally removing 1/3. Leaf thinning should stop at the end of August. Leaf thinning should be combined with shallow cultivation, weeding, and fertilization to maximize yield.　　

    Pruning is the process of removing vigorous, overgrown branches and diseased or insect-infested branches during the growing season to reduce nutrient loss and the occurrence of pests and diseases.　　

    Proper pruning, leaf removal, and branch thinning can cultivate a good tree canopy and remove pests and diseases residing on the leaves and branches. After pruning, leaf removal, and branch thinning, the field should be cleaned up promptly, and dead branches and fallen leaves should be removed from the field and burned in a centralized location to reduce pests and diseases.　　

    III. Apply fertilizer scientifically and rationally to promote high yield and quality.　　

    Fertilization is crucial for achieving high yields and quality in jasmine. It should be applied rationally according to the time, location, tree type, and fertilizer type. Fertilizer should primarily consist of well-rotted organic fertilizer, supplemented with chemical fertilizer. Topdressing should be applied frequently in small amounts, less to young trees and more to mature trees. In early to mid-April, in conjunction with cultivation and land preparation, the first heavy application of fertilizer, known as "bud-promoting fertilizer," should be applied. The second application, known as "flower-promoting fertilizer," should be applied in late May to early June before spring flower bud formation. During the flowering period, 5-7 applications of fertilizer should be made, each time promptly after the flowering season. Fertilization should cease in early September to reduce the consumption of nutrients by autumn shoots. Fertilizer should be applied to the soil between the flowers, not directly to the plant. Spraying the leaves with a 0.2% mixture of urea and potassium dihydrogen phosphate at the initial bud formation stage has a good effect on promoting bud development and improving yield and quality.　　

    According to research conducted by Sichuan Agricultural University and the Qianwei County Agricultural Bureau at a jasmine base in Qingxi Town, in moderately fertile alluvial loam, the contribution of nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium fertilizers to jasmine yield is in the order of potassium > phosphorus > nitrogen. This indicates that potassium fertilizer application should be emphasized in jasmine production. Based on the research results, the optimal fertilizer application rate was proposed: 8.2-13.2 kg N, 11.1-13.2 kg P₂O₅, and 8.5-10.4 kg K₂O per 667 m². This yields 450-480 kg per 667 m².　　

    In current production, it is advisable to "control nitrogen and increase potassium" to improve yield and quality. Especially in areas where jasmine has been planted as a single crop for a long time, attention should be paid to formula fertilization and increased potassium fertilizer application. Based on local planting habits and the requirements for developing pollution-free jasmine production, generally apply 3000-4000 kg of high-quality farmyard manure that has undergone harmless treatment, 100-150 kg of cake fertilizer, 40-50 kg of superphosphate or 20-30 kg of ammonium phosphate and 20-40 kg of potassium sulfate per mu as base fertilizer. Subsequent top dressing should be applied according to the specific needs of each tree.　　

    Foliar application of micronutrient fertilizers can not only correct physiological nutrient deficiencies but also effectively increase yield. Research at a jasmine base in Qingxi Town showed that spraying 0.2% chelated iron solution monthly during May, June, and July, yielded 442 kg per 667 m², an increase of 41.3 kg (10.3%) compared to the control; spraying with a 0.2% solution of greenhouse fertilizer yielded 450.7 kg per 667 m², an increase of 49.6 kg (12.4%) compared to the control. In production, chelated iron fertilizer and boron fertilizer can be applied foliarly for sandy soils or when jasmine leaves show signs of chlorosis and yellowing. During jasmine production, agricultural inputs with excessive heavy metal content are prohibited, including urban and town domestic waste, sludge, and untreated organic fertilizers. Industrial waste is strictly prohibited from entering jasmine production areas, and fertilizers and hormones not registered and approved by the national agricultural authorities are not permitted.　　

    IV. Integrated pest and disease control to ensure a bumper harvest　　

    (I) Agricultural Control Measures: Promptly remove damaged flower buds to control and reduce jasmine leaf borers, bud borers, thrips, and other pests residing in the buds. During the growing season, prune appropriately to cultivate the tree canopy and remove pests living in tender leaves and flower buds, reducing damage from scale insects, whiteflies, etc. Clean the orchard in late autumn, combining soil preparation with cleaning to reduce the base population of overwintering pests in the soil. Manually kill pests that are lightly infested, cause concentrated damage, and exhibit feigning death behavior to reduce harm. Promote manual weeding and avoid using chemical herbicides to protect natural enemies.　　

    (II) Physical control measures: Utilize the phototaxis of pests by using light traps. Frequency-vibration insecticidal lamps and solar-powered insecticidal lamps are effective. Especially during the adult emergence period, use light traps in the field to reduce pest occurrence. Colored sticky traps, pheromone traps, and manual removal can also be used.　　

  (III) Biological control measures: Protect and utilize natural enemies in the jasmine garden. This includes predatory insects such as insectivorous bugs, spiders, ants, and related birds, as well as beneficial organisms such as parasitic wasps, flies, and birds, reducing human-induced harm to these natural enemies. Consider applying microbial fertilizers.　　

    (IV) Chemical Control Measures: Adhere to the principle of "prevention first, comprehensive control" and the requirements for developing pollution-free agricultural products, grasp the timely control, achieve standard control, and select highly effective, low-toxicity, and low-residue pesticides. The main pest and disease control methods are introduced as follows: 1. Jasmine white mold. Apply 50% wettable thiophanate-methyl to the soil surface and clumps for control. Alternatively, use 75% chlorothalonil wettable powder at 800-1000 times dilution to control its development, or spray with 65% zineb wettable powder at 800 times dilution. 2. Jasmine leaf spot. In the early stage of the disease, spray with 75% chlorothalonil at 600-800 times dilution every 7-10 days, for 2-3 consecutive times. In the middle stage of the disease, spray with 65% zineb wettable powder at 600-800 times dilution for control. 3. Jasmine anthracnose: In the early stage of the disease, spray with 70% carbendazim at a dilution of 600-800 times, once every 7-10 days, for 2-3 consecutive sprays. In the middle stage of the disease, spray with 50% thiophanate-methyl wettable powder at a dilution of 800-1000 times, or 75% chlorothalonil wettable powder at a dilution of 800-1000 times, or 50% carbendazim at a dilution of 1000 times. 4. Jasmine bud borer: Spray with 20% cypermethrin at a dilution of 1000 times, or 10% cypermethrin at a dilution of 1000 times, or 1% chlorpyrifos EC at a dilution of 2000-3000 times. Apply every 7-10 days, for 2-3 consecutive sprays. 5. Jasmine leafminer: Spray with 90% trichlorfon at a dilution of 600-800 times during the flowering period, or spray with 10%-20% pyrethroid insecticide at a dilution of 1000-2000 times. Bacillus subtilis can also be used. Generally, apply pesticides after harvesting flowers on the same day or at the end of the flowering season. If applying pesticides during the flowering period, harvest flowers 5 days later. 6. Jasmine whitefly: Control with 25% imidacloprid wettable powder at a dilution of 2500 times, or 10% imidacloprid EC at a dilution of 1000 times, or 20% cypermethrin EC at a dilution of 2000-3000 times. 7. Jasmine scale insect: During the nymph hatching period, spray with 50% fenitrothion EC at a dilution of 1000 times or 5% imidacloprid EC at a dilution of 1500-2000 times. Ensure even spraying, covering both upper and lower leaves and branches. When insect populations are high, spray every 10-15 days, repeating 2-3 times. This also helps control the large green leafhopper. For jasmine pest control, flowers should only be harvested after the interval following pesticide application. Strict adherence to pesticide concentration, timing, and frequency is crucial. Cross-application of similar pesticides is recommended, and highly toxic and persistent pesticides are strictly prohibited.

    Develop high-quality, pollution-free jasmine flower production and ban highly toxic and persistent pesticides such as DDT, HCH, parathion (1605), methyl parathion (methyl 1605), methamidophos, acephate, omethoate, sodium pentachlorophenate, amitraz, carbofuran, dicofol, methamidophos, cypermethrin and its mixtures.