Sanya, located in the tropical region of southern China, faces unique agricultural challenges due to its hot and humid summer and autumn seasons. These conditions, characterized by high temperatures and frequent rainfall, make traditional vegetable cultivation difficult. However, through the efforts of the Sanya Agriculture and Rural Affairs Bureau and the Sanya Tropical Agricultural Research Institute, the region is making strides in overcoming these challenges by introducing heat-resistant vegetable varieties and new cultivation techniques.
Promoting Heat-Resistant Vegetable Varieties
During the summer and autumn seasons, Sanya’s vegetable cultivation is often hampered by high temperatures, humidity, and increased pest pressure. To address these issues, agricultural scientists have developed and promoted new vegetable varieties that are resilient to heat and humidity, while also offering high yields and resistance to diseases. Among these are the “Hot Eggplant No. 1,” a hybrid variety with strong growth and deep purple fruits, and the “Haiyan No. 3” and “Minyan No. 6” bitter gourd varieties, known for their superior yield and quality.
These new varieties have been successfully introduced at Sanya’s Guoling Wenmen Year-Round Vegetable Base, where vegetables such as bitter gourd, luffa, water spinach, Chinese flowering cabbage, and mustard greens thrive despite the challenging climate. The new heat-resistant varieties are not only ensuring a stable supply of vegetables for local consumption but are also contributing to the diversification of crops available in the market during the summer and autumn.
Advancing Hydroponic and Seedling Technologies
In addition to introducing new vegetable varieties, Sanya is also exploring advanced hydroponic systems and seedling technologies to further enhance crop production. At the recent demonstration event organized by the Sanya Agriculture and Rural Affairs Bureau, attendees were introduced to cutting-edge hydroponic systems that enable year-round vegetable production with reduced dependence on external environmental conditions.
The Guoling Wenmen Vegetable Base has taken the lead in adopting these hydroponic systems, cultivating 30 acres of hydroponic vegetables. These crops grow faster in hydroponic systems than in traditional soil-based methods, with a growth cycle of about 20 days in summer and 25 days in winter, compared to 45 days in soil. This significant reduction in growth time not only increases production efficiency but also helps stabilize vegetable supplies during off-peak seasons.
Addressing Seasonal Gaps with Specialty Sprouts
To further address the seasonal gaps in vegetable production, Sanya has also focused on cultivating specialty sprouts like black bean sprouts, peanut sprouts, pea shoots, and radish sprouts. These sprouts have short growth cycles and are less affected by external environmental conditions, making them ideal for production during the summer and autumn months when traditional vegetables are scarce.
The introduction of these sprouts has been a game-changer for local farmers, offering them a new revenue stream and helping to fill the supply gap in the local vegetable market. According to Luo Feng, Deputy Director of the Sanya Tropical Agricultural Research Institute, these specialty sprouts are not only easy to grow but also offer high economic returns, making them an attractive option for farmers looking to diversify their crop production.
Sanya’s proactive approach to promoting heat-resistant vegetable varieties and advanced cultivation techniques is proving to be a successful strategy in overcoming the region’s agricultural challenges. By adopting these innovations, farmers in Sanya are not only ensuring a stable supply of vegetables during the difficult summer and autumn seasons but are also contributing to the overall growth and resilience of the local agricultural economy. As these techniques continue to be refined and expanded, they are likely to play a crucial role in the sustainable development of Sanya’s agricultural sector.
