Application of Edible-Medicinal Plants in Landscaping in the Context of Rural Revitalization

Wenhui YE, Miaoneng ZHOU, Junhong ZHONG

Huizhou Engineering Vocational College, Huizhou 516000, China

Abstract Edible-medicinal plants play an important role in promoting the pharmaceutical industry and the construction of beautiful countryside. With the development trend of industry promoting rural revitalization, the application of edible-medicinal plants in landscaping is also receiving more and more attention. The present study elaborated the role of edible-medicinal plants and their application principles in landscaping. It stated that the application of edible-medicinal plants in landscaping can improve the preservation and application technology of characteristic edible-medicinal plants in the area of south of the Five Ridges, ensure the sustainable development of edible-medicinal plants and promote the effective connection between poverty alleviation and rural revitalization.

Key words Edible-medicinal plants, Landscaping, Application, Rural revitalization

1 Introduction

To implement the rural revitalization strategy is a major decision and deployment made by the 19thNational Congress of the Communist Party of China. In accordance with the general requirements of building rural areas with thriving businesses, pleasant living environments, social etiquette and civility, effective governance, and prosperity, Huizhou City issued the plan of "planting first-class Chinese herbal medicines at a first-class level, and striving to find a new development path in which the countryside is prosperous, the farmers are well off, and the industry is thriving" in 2019, making clear the implementation area, key varieties, planting layout, resource protection, scientific planting,etc.of the development of southern medicine industry in Huizhou City. The key to promoting rural revitalization is to create an ecologically livable environment[1]. China is vast in territory, the geographical environment conditions of rural areas vary greatly in various regions, and the economic development methods are also different. For those rural areas that have neither endowed resource advantages nor geographical advantages, to revitalize the economy, it is feasible to increase income by planting edible-medicinal plants. Apart from treating diseases and safeguarding health, edible-medicinal plants can also beautify the environment, reduce the maintenance cost of landscaping, and promote economic development.

2 Overview of edible-medicinal plants

China is one of the countries with the richest edible-medicinal plant resources. The discovery, utilization and cultivation of edible-medicinal edible plants have a history of thousands of years. The record of edible-medicinal edible plants can be traced back to theBookofSongsmore than 2 600 years ago. The discovery and utilization of edible-medicinal edible plants are the result of human experience and knowledge gradually accumulated through long-term life and production practices. Edible-medicinal plants refer to those plants containing certain biologically active components and can be used as food and medicine, the medicine borrows the power of food, and the food promotes the medicine. All or part of such plants are used as a source of Chinese medicinal materials or as a raw material for the pharmaceutical industry. Thus, edible-medicinal plants are economic plants that have a promising future.

3 Functions of edible-medicinal plants in landscaping

3.1 Enriching the landscapeChina has a long planting history of edible-medicinal plants. In addition to their own edible and medicinal value, most edible-medicinal plants also have beautiful tree shapes and bright flowers, and have high ornamental value[2]. The application of edible-medicinal plants in the landscape has become an indispensable part of landscaping. When planning pedestrian lane, garden pavilions, plant isolation belts, and grassland greening, making full use of the characteristics of edible-medicinal plants can not only exert the medicinal value of edible-medicinal plants, but also display their ornamental value and enrich the landscape.

3.2 Increasing the economic benefitsIn recent years, the market demand for edible-medicinal plants has increased day by day. The edible-medicinal plant has made a special contribution to China’s economic development and the promotion of rural revitalization. China is rich in edible-medicinal plants. Applying edible-medicinal plants in landscaping, choosing high-quality varieties and taking appropriate management measures, and cooperating with scientific and technological research and development units, hospitals, pharmaceutical factories, pharmacies or individual merchants, will not only enrich the market of edible-medicinal plants, but also give play to its ornamental value in landscaping, promote the construction of beautiful countryside, increase economic benefits, and drive rural economic development[3].

3.3 Providing popular science educationChina has rich and diverse edible-medicinal plant resources, and has a long history of cultivation. However, in some economically underdeveloped areas, due to the low education level, most people do not have a thorough understanding of edible-medicinal plants. The application of edible-medicinal plants in landscaping, and the introduction of the ornamental value and medicinal effects of the plants, guide people to visit, can promote people’s understanding of edible-medicinal plants, so as to realize the effect of popular science education.

3.4 Having health care effectEdible-medicinal plants, especially aromatic plants, will give out some chemical components with medicinal value during the growth process. In addition to meeting people’s olfactory needs, these components also have health care effect[4].

3.5 Promoting the protection of germplasm resourcesGermplasm resources are the material basis for the selection of new varieties of genetic modifiers. The collection and preservation of edible-medicinal plant germplasm resources is the key and source to improve the quality of edible-medicinal plants, and is a fundamental measure to ensure the sustainable development of edible-medicinal plants. In recent years, people’s destruction of the natural environment has intensified, over-grazing and reclaiming grassland, over-exploitation, urban and industrial development, and the opening up of tourism industry have led to the occupation of a large number of forests and grasslands and the destruction of many wild edible-medicinal plants. These greatly threaten the rich variety of edible-medicinal plants in China. The application of edible-medicinal plants in landscaping and the promotion of the application of edible-medicinal plants play an important role in the protection of edible-medicinal plant germplasm resources.

4 Principles for application of edible-medicinal plants in landscaping

4.1 Prevention and control of pests and diseasesPrevention and control of pests and diseases should follow the principle of "prevention first and integrated control". There are many types of diseases and insect pests besetting edible-medicinal plants, so there are certain difficulties in the prevention and control of diseases and insect pests. For the prevention and control of pests and diseases in edible-medicinal plants, it is required to take the principle of "prevention first and integrated control" and carry out prevention and control in various aspects. First of all, it is necessary to provide systematic technical training for the personnel who grow edible-medicinal plants to reduce the occurrence of pests and diseases. Secondly, it is necessary to strengthen the use and management of pesticides, develop more varieties of pesticides, and solve the problem of no drugs available for the prevention and control of diseases and insect pests for edible-medicinal plants. In addition, it is necessary to carry out agricultural control, biological control, improve biodiversity, and use natural enemies of pests to control pests[6].

4.2 Guaranteeing the qualityIn order to guarantee the quality of edible-medicinal plants cultivated in landscaping, good varieties should be selected before cultivation. When selecting the cultivation site, it is necessary to take consideration of the suitability of the ecological environment and geographical environment of edible-medicinal plants. For example, it is necessary to consider factors such as the cultivation history of the land or the impact of previous crops on cultivation, cultivate high-quality green medicinal plants.

4.3 Safety managementThe application of edible-medicinal plants in landscaping, because more people will come into contact with them, it is necessary to pay attention to the safety management of edible-medicinal plants, do a good job in publicity and management, and strengthen protection. In the first place, it is necessary to clarify the functions and functions of the edible-medicinal plants, so as to prevent people from picking or eating edible-plants by mistake and accordingly endangering the health. In the second place, when using pesticides on edible-medicinal plants, the usage and dosage should be mastered, and the pesticides should be used rationally to avoid pollution to the ecological environment.

5 Application of edible-medicinal plants in landscaping

5.1 Pedestrian lane greeningPractical application of edible-medicinal plants in pedestrian lane green belt should select appropriate tree types and species according to the road construction standards and the specific conditions of the surrounding environment, and select proper tree body and tree shape. The sidewalk trees on both sides of the road in summer can provide shade for pedestrians and vehicles, and will not block sunlight in winter. They can also absorb dust and reduce noise, and freshen the air. For example, using edible-medicinal plants such asOsmanthusfragrans,Cinnamomumcamphora,Ginkgobiloba,Juglansregia,Magnoliagrandiflora,Ligustrumlucidum, andBombaxceibaas street trees can decorate and beautify the streetscape.

5.2 Courtyard greeningPlanting various flowers and trees in the courtyard, landscape pavilions and other garden landscapes can make people appreciate, entertain, and rest, creating a comfortable outdoor living space for people. Its design should follow the principle of simplicity. Some edible-medicinal plants have beautiful colors and different shapes, and their ornamental value just meets the needs of courtyard greening. People can appreciate edible-medicinal plants during leisure and entertainment in the courtyard. Courtyard greening can choose beautiful and shade-shading edible-medicinal plants, such asCinnamomumseptentrionale,Gleditsiasinensis,Ginkgobiloba,Diospyroslotusandetc.

5.3 Color belt and isolation belt greeningEdible-medicinal plants are also widely applied in the greening of color belts and isolation belts. Greening of color belts and isolation belts is an important part of public greening. They can divide motorized vehicle lanes, non-motorized vehicle lanes and sidewalks, and can also play a role in preventing glare, inducing sight, and providing shade and other functions. The isolation belt greening can use plants such asLigustrumlucidum,Murrayaexotica,Rhododendronsimsii,Camelliajaponica,Gardeniajasminoides,Micheliafigo. Colored edible-medicinal plants can also be matched into different color blocks, color isolation belts, used to decorate hillsides, pond edges, lawns,etc., or used for roadway isolation belts, isolation belts between roads and pedestrian lane,etc.

5.4 Vertical and trellis greeningVertical and trellis greening is a greening method that uses trellis walls, railings,etc.to plant vines, climbing plants, or pots to plant hanging plants to achieve three-dimensional greening and beautification in a three-dimensional space. It is more common in real life, such as garden flower stand, balcony greening, roof garden,etc.Vertical and trellis greening can not only make up for the lack of greening on flat land and enrich the level of greening, but also increase the artistic effect of urban and garden architecture. Trellis greening covers a small area and can make full use of space to increase the amount of urban greening and increase the green coverage area. In recent years, China’s land resources have become increasingly scarce, and edible-medicinal plants also have broad application prospects in the trellis greening. Such edible-medicinal plants asCampsisgrandiflora,Parthenocissustricuspidata,Lonicerajaponica, andQuisqualisindicacan be applied in trellis greening. Such edible-medicinal plants not only have strong ornamental properties, but also have certain economic value.

5.5 Popular science type greeningThe establishment of popular science garden for edible-medicinal plants can effectively apply and promote edible-medicinal plants. In the popular science garden, different types of edible-medicinal plants such as woody, herbaceous, and vine plants can be used to set up scenic spots, and modern tourist service facilities such as catering, services, leisure, and entertainment can be built. Besides, it is possible to make use of modern technology to make plant identification card, such as affix a QR code to introduce of edible-medicinal plants on the identification card, so as to help tourists understand edible-medicinal plants more simply and quickly. Establishing popular science gardens for edible-medicinal plants not only can provide residents with a green space for leisure and entertainment, but also can play a role in popular science education and promote people’s understanding of edible-medicinal plants.

6 Conclusions

The application of edible-medicinal plants in landscaping can effectively promote farmers in production areas of edible-medicinal plants to get rid of poverty and become rich. It is an important way to promote rural revitalization and an important part of industrial poverty alleviation. In recent years, the continuous loss of germplasm resources of edible-medicinal plants and increase of various epidemic diseases and infectious diseases highlight the value and status of edible-medicinal plants. Therefore, the application of edible-medicinal plants in landscaping will have a broader prospect.