We have the technology to produce high-yield GABA cell lines, but
how does
this work locally? We learned that Japanese high-GABA tomatoes have helped some farmers
achieve high
yields [1], so we decided to combine with agriculture in Fuzhou, Fujian Province, and use
technology
to help farmers achieve high yields. We arrived at Yuxi town, Fuqing, and spent our summer
vacation
in Weiping Zheng Family's Farm, to exchange of experience and complete the science practice
activities, and finally successfully established the "local plan" of Fuqing Yuxi Town.
Fig. 1. Our local solutions. It consists of
three
stages: pre-stage,
mid-stage and post-stage, including pre-stage local survey, tailor-made solutions
according to
local conditions, and post-stage product promotion to gain revenue.
After we arrived at Yuxi Town, we first visited farmers to
understand the
production of longan, and
then through market research to understand the market for longan, and finally we visited the
government to understand the local policy guidance on longan agriculture. According to the
specific
situation of our field investigation, we have scientifically and pertinently worked out a
local plan
for Yuxi. We are working with farmers to inject technology into longan production through
the
establishment of a small scientific and technological courtyard as a platform. On the
management of
longan orchards in the latter stage, we collected data through field surveys and used the
biostatistics to establish a model for dominant tree species to promote the management of
local
longan trees on a model basis. Finally, we actively write news reports, using the media
marketing"Yuxi Longan" brand, promote local products.
1.Preliminary preparation
(1)Discussion and exchange with experts Weiping Zheng
Through the discussions and communications with Weiping
Zheng, we
understood the
road to his success, and reached a cooperation with him to establish Longan Science and
Technology
Academy. For
its directional output of our scientific research achievements and technology, we enjoy the
experimental materials provided by him and so on.
He had contracted more than 500 Mu of deserted mountains
in the village,
combining
agricultural
production with leisure and entertainment. He not only insists on producing green and
high-quality
products, planting fruit trees such as loquat and Longan, but also successfully introduces
more than
10 kinds of special fruit trees such as orange, mandarin and grape, and creates ecological
sightseeing forests such as bamboo forest, osmanthus fragrans and cherry blossom.
Additionally, he
also adjusted measures to local conditions to build a natural swimming pool, opening
barbecue yards;
leisure industry, creating a set of picnics, fishing, farm-style taste for the integration
of modern
leisure agriculture sightseeing services such as base, attract many visitors, which brought
huge
economic benefits for the farm, for the village also provides many jobs and increased the
villagers'
income, We also promoted the implementation of the rural revitalization strategy.
Zheng Weiping has a wealth of successful experience in
new agricultural
exploration. He has established the Yuxi Longan brand and production base, who also
pioneered a
large-scale commercial and ecologically integrated green farm. He has opened up the road to
poverty
alleviation through technology concentration and green development. Zheng had been awarded
"The Most
Beautiful Rural Expert in Fujian in 2021", "Rural Revitalization Talent" and other honors.
He
focused on improving the quality of Longan, insisting on producing green products, and
always
upholds the concept of honest management, resolutely realizing pesticide-free orchards and
damage
free logistics. Therefore, Zheng has formed a good reputation and brand effect in the local
area,
which has continuously promoted the increase of farmers' income and provided the direction
for the
rural revitalization journey.
Fig. 1.1 The picture shows expert Weiping Zheng talking with members
of
FAFU-China team
Weiping Zheng persisted in leading agricultural
development with
innovative
thinking and dared to venture into Unoccupied area. When asked about zheng’s total thought
of
agricultural development now, he said, "in today's rapidly changing society, the development
of the
times change quickly. Agricultural development is the most important now to innovate; pay
attention
to the forefront of production technology; combined with advanced science and technology to
agriculture inject vigor." Actively cooperating with universities and agricultural
technology
associations, he insists on using the power of science and technology innovation to promote
agricultural development. With Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University School of
Horticulture,
Fujian Academy of Agricultural Sciences Fruit Tree Research Institute and FAFU-China team, a
collaborative science and technology institute was founded. In this way, it can introduce
scientific
and technological innovation achievements to better help the development of agricultural
industry
and promote the growth of farmers' income.
(2)Visit farmers
FAFU-china going to the Dongbao Longan Agricultural
Cooperative in Fuqing,
interviewed partner Lin
Bo, and investigated the problems existing in local Longan plantations. Through
investigation and
investigation, the practice team found that there are also Longan varieties cultivated
locally,
mainly including 'Dasilong', 'Shuizhang', 'Dongbao No. 9', 'Songfengben', 'Lidongben',
'Friendship
106' and 'Baoshi No. 1', among which 'Dasilong' has the most extensive planting area. The
best
selling and most popular Longan species in the new village should be 'Friendship 106'. Under
the
intensive cultivation of local farmers, Longan grows in a good condition, with full grains,
full of
juice, sweet but not greasy, excellent taste and wide market. Last year's output was close
to 1000
tons, bringing good economic benefits to Yuxi Town. "Baoshi No.1" is a new variety
introduced to
Yuxi Town from Fruit Research Institute of Fujian Academy of Agricultural Sciences last
year. It has
been grafted and cultivated locally in March this year, and now it grows well.
Fig. 1.2 The picture shows the FAFU-China team members discussing
with
Weiping Zheng and Long Lin, head of the cooperative
(3) Conducted fertilizer and fruit market research
In order to make our local plan more suitable for the actual situation of
Fuqing
Yuxi Town, we came
to the town center, according to the navigation and the information provided by local
residents, to
carry out in-depth research on a number of fertilizer and fruit self-employed, asking their
product
prices, product launch time, product sales and so on.
Fig. 1.3 The picture shows the FAFU-China team members conducting
market
research in a fertilizer shop
During the practice of these days, every expert we met devoted himself to
Yuxi
Longan production. Looking at our team with eager and expectant eyes, they patiently
introduced the
situation of the whole industry to us. They are looking forward to doing everything they can
to get
young people interested in the Longan industry. We were warmed by the expectation and
recorded every
bit of Yuxi Longan carefully, let these vibrant words and images guide us forward. Hope our
local
solutions could help solve their problems. We have captured the details of our trip with our
camera.
To learn more, please check out the video below for details.
(4) Held discussions with Lianhong Guo, Deputy mayor of Yuxi Town,
Yu
Zuxing, Secretary-General of Fuqing Agricultural Technology Association and other
members.
Through the discussion, we learned about the past life of the ancient
Longan tree,
and explored the
local problems from the root of Longan development. Lianhong Guo, deputy mayor of the city,
said,
"Ancient Longan refers to the growth of more than one hundred years of Longan old trees.
They
witnessed the historical changes of Yuxi, and experienced the replacement of dynasties,
people's
joys and sorrows, rural reform, bearing the profound cultural heritage of Yuxi." At the same
time,
we also understood the local Longan industry development of the basic situation and existing
problems.
Fig. 1.4 The picture shows the members of FAFU-CHINA and the vice
mayor of
the town had a discussion and exchange in the government of Yuxi Town
2. Local solutions
A. Fuqing Longan Science and Technology Courtyard
Dr. Shijiang Cao drove to Fuqing Longan Science and Technology Base with
Professor Yuling Lin,
Professor Zhongxiong Lai and the team members. We arrived at the first destination at 10
a.m.
Fig. 2.1 Field investigation of Yuxi Longan Plantation
Fig. 2.2 Panorama of Yuxi Longan Plantation
Several growth requirements of Longan were learned:
(1) Temperature: Red-skinned Longan derives from Thailand. Common types of Longan grows in
the south
Subtropical region, likes warm and humid, which can tolerate short-term frost. Even under
low
temperatures of 0-4℃, it would not be frozen to death in a short term. In the south, it is
more
suitable to plant Longan under the condition of the climate, less frost, less low
temperature,
warmth and humidity. (Although this year, it has been affected by too much rain.)
(2) Water: The annual precipitation in Longan is 1200-1600mm
Annual precipitation in Fujian: 1730.7mm (2019)
(3) Illumination: Longan is a positive tree species and requires sufficient sunlight.
(4) Soil: Longan has strong adaptability to soil. In the main production areas of Fujian
province,
China, mainly for red arenaceous soil; for clay, it can grow as long as the topsoil layer is
deep
with good drainage; sandy loam is the best followed by sandy red soil and clay. Soil pH
value of
5.4-6.5 is the best for growth and alkaline soil is not that appropriate for planting.
②Then we went to the second destination to the courtyard to participate in the opening
ceremony of
Fuqing Longan Science and Technology Courtyard.
Fig. 2.3 Opening Symposium
In the symposium, we learned that Longan cultivated locally is greatly
affected by
pests, so we need
to strengthen the management of them. As for the project, the first thing to focus on is
whether
Longan GABA of different varieties is completely consistent with other enzymes, and whether
the
results are completely consistent. Secondly, several problems occur:
1. Why is Yuxi Longan more delicious than ordinary ones?
2. What influences the quality of Longan?
3. How to analyze the quality of Longan?
4. When is the best time to pick?
1) Why is Yuxi Longan more delicious than ordinary ones?
Thin skin, small stone, crispy meat, good taste. The sugar content of Yuxi Longan is 20-21%,
among
which the sugar content of Dasilong is 23%, 7 percentage points higher than that of other
parts of
the province and Guangdong Longan.
2) What influences the quality of Longan?
Temperature, light, precipitation, humidity and soil.
3) Longan quality analysis.
Analysis of fruit quality and sugar and acid components in different
Longan varieties:
The fruit quality, sugar and acid components of 12 Longan cultivars were analyzed by
conventional
quality analysis method and the performance of liquid chromatography. The results showed
that fruit
quality and soluble solid content varied from 6.1 to 15.1g and from 12.2% to 23.0%. The
edible rate
was the highest (71.4%) and the lowest (56.2%). Fructose, glucose and sucrose are the main
sugar
types in the aril of Longan, whereas the proportion of these three varies greatly among
Longan
varieties. According to the proportion of monosaccharides and disaccharides, Longan
varieties can be
divided into three categories: sucrose accumulation type, reducing sugar accumulation type
and
intermediate type. The content of organic acids in the aril of Longan was 1.46~3.46 mg/g.
Malic
acid, oxaloacetic acid, A-ketoglutaric acid, oxalic acid, citric acid, tartaric acid and
quinic acid
are the main organic acids, the content and proportion of different varieties are disparate.
There
was also abundant reduced ascorbic acid (vitamin C) in the aril of Longan, accounting for
about
12.4% of the total acid. The content of vitamin C in multiple varieties was significantly
different
with the lowest storage (0.13 mg/g) and the highest (0.65 mg/g)(Journal of Fruit
Science).
4) When is the best time to pick?
The mature period of Fujian Longan is from late July to late August. In
addition, the
maturity
period of different varieties varies, such as the excellent varieties of "Fu Yan" in late
August -
early September to mature.
Later, temperature is applied as the measurement control for the growth of
Longan at 13℃,
and the
equipment is sufficient. The accommodation conditions are proper with the fully covered
communication network. Additionally, crops are complete: Longan (10 thousand Mu), waxberry,
kiwi,
peach, pipa, mulberry, banana and so on.
Fig. 2.4 Actual shooting of longan growth process
Fig. 2.5 The team members took a group photo in front of the science
and
technology academy.
B. Field tree body survey
(1) Investigation method and content
The FAFU-China team came to the Longan Plantation of Longan Cooperative to
carry
out practical study
on measurement of Longan tree height, DBH, crown width and so on.
① There are many ways to measure the diameter of a tree. The first one is:
the
tools we need are
long rope and tape measure. We can measure the circumference of the trunk by wrapping a long
rope
around it. Use a tape measure to measure the length of the rope to get the circumference of
the
trunk circle. Divide the circumference by PI to get the diameter of the trunk. This method
needs to
be applied to PI, so the circumference must be measured accurately. The second is to use
vernier
calipers, stuck around the widest part of the tree body, keeping the measuring tool
horizontal and
parallel. The length is the diameter of the tree body.
②The diameter of the stump of a fruit tree can be used to estimate its
annual
yield and the value of
a tree. The principle of value assessment based on the diameter of the trunk is as
follows:
Firstly, the cross-sectional area (square centimeter) of the trunk is
calculated according
to the
diameter (centimeter) of the tree trunk. Secondly, according to the trunk cross-sectional
area
(square centimeter), calculate the annual yield of fruit trees (according to the relevant
experts, 1
square centimeter of the trunk cross-sectional area each year can bear about 1 kg of fruit,
to
ensure that the quality of fruit is excellent). Third, the annual output value of this fruit
tree is
calculated based on the annual output of a single plant and the wholesale price of this
species or
variety. Finally, the value of the tree is calculated according to the annual output value
of the
tree (under normal circumstances, the value of the tree is calculated as about 3 times the
annual
output value). It is worth mentioning that the evaluation of fruit tree value requires the
participation of more than 3 fruit tree experts and local price departments, so that the
evaluation
report has legal effect.
③The height of Longan was measured from the bare part of the ground to the
top of
the plant, that
is, the even height of the plant. Due to the scarcity of measuring equipment in the area,
the
members of the FAFU-China team used local materials to make measuring tools.
Fig. 2.6 Picture shows members are making measuring tools
together
The measuring tools are PVC pipe, box ruler and mark. The Pvc pipe is 4m long, one meter is
a unit
and ten centimeters is a group. The height of Longan tree is controlled within four meters.
According to the height unit of tool, the height of tree body can be obtained.
Fig. 2.7 Picture of measuring the height of a tree
Kripke once said that "one meter" is just the length we set by ourselves,
there is
no standard meter
stick in nature, the standard is set by ourselves. In other words, although we lack
measuring tools
with scales in the field, let alone unmanned aerial vehicles to assist in the measurement,
the
team's self-made "bamboo rod ruler" works just as well when corrected with a tape measure.
First, a
tape measure is used to mark the long bamboo pole every 1m, and then a member of the team,
whose
height is known, lifts the pole and visually estimates the tree's height. In practice, the
same
method was used to estimate the crown amplitude of Longan, including three angles of
observation
data to obtain more comprehensive information of Longan. In addition, the FAFU-China team
also
counted the fruit of some Longan trees, including the number of branches, the number of
fruit on
each ear, and the dry weight of Longan fruits, etc. Some help the teacher to measure, others
are
responsible for recording. With these data, the team was able to use mathematical modeling
to
estimate a model of Longan growth.
According to the measurement, the following results are obtained:
(2) Analysis of the overall situation of the investigation
Longan standard: diameter at breast height (cm):D13-15;
Tree height (M) : 3.0 3.5;
Crown width (M): more than 2.5;
Branch point (m) : 0.3 to 0.5
(Unit: Plant)
According to the measurement, the following results are obtained:
Fig. 2.8 Type/Measurement results
Fig. 2.9 Most of the Longans in the orchard are big rhinosaurus, and
big
rhinosaurus has been the No. 1 seller in recent years.
After the above results are obtained, we can establish a mathematical
model,
solving the
mathematical model, and then solve the actual problem according to the results. When it is
necessary
to analyze and study a practical problem from a quantitative point of view, people need to
establish
mathematical models with mathematical symbols and language on the basis of in-depth
investigation,
understanding of object information, making simplified assumptions, analyzing internal laws
and
other work. From these data, the FAFU-China team was able to use mathematical modeling to
estimate
Longan growth. For example, a 3D digital tree growth modeling method with common constraints
of
light and growth equation.
According to light and precipitation:
Under high light irradiation, leaf temperature can be increased by 5~10°C,
and
bark can be increased
by more than 10~15 °C. Sunburn occurs when the temperature of the trunk rises above 50 ° C
or at 40
° C for two hours, affecting the health of the tree and its susceptibility to disease and
insects.
Fruit sunburn will cause fruit rot, lower fruit quality, reduce returns. At this time, the
light
suppression tree is superior to 80% of the fruit trees in 2.4-2.51 M.
When the temperature meets the growth requirement of fruit trees, the
precipitation in Fujian
decreases from south to north, from 2672mm to 1264mm per year. At this time, due to seasonal
rainfall in Fujian, fruit trees vary from 2.67-2.89m.
When the light and rainfall meet, the height of fruit trees is usually
2.89-3.12m,
reaching the most
standard state.
At this time, we can fill in the light, temperature, precipitation, growth
time
through the formula
can be obtained fruit tree height.
Fig. 2.10 The picture shows the FAFU-China team members measuring the
tree
body
C. Field test treatment
Gamma-aminobutyric acid is a compound known as GABA, which is widely found
in
plant and animal
cells, which has the effects of lowering blood pressure, lowering blood ammonia,
anti-allergy,
stabilizing mood, treating epilepsy, relieving anxiety and so on. It has a great prospect in
medical
treatment and dietary therapy. And it has been reported in many literatures that exogenous
GABA
treatment can improve the endogenous GABA content of fruits and vegetables. In view of this,
FAFU-China team members sprayed exogenous GABA on Longan fruit trees of "Dongbao 9" and "Li
Dongben"
in the local Longan planting demonstration base. These two varieties were chosen on a
well-growing
Longan tree, on which the size of the clusters are basically identical; two adjacent branch
clusters
were sprayed water GABA powder mixture solution, tested repeatedly. Subsequently, observe
the fruit
growth, and physiological and biochemical characteristics of fruit was determined. In order
to
increase the content of GABA in Longan fruit to enrich the nutrients inside.
Fig. 2.11 The picture shows the FAFU-China team members spraying
Longan fruit
ears
D. Popular science information session
In order to better let farmers know our technology, and understand the
economic
benefits of
combining science and technology with agriculture, we are ready to start from the basic
science
popularization.
FAFU - China team to carry out the science popularization to preach, to
the
peasant household system
introduced YuXi locally grown Longan and the advantages of developing green ecological
importance of
high quality agricultural science briefly at the same time our team high GABA the
feasibility of the
technology in the aspect of cultivating new Longan varieties. Farmers are on the combination
of
science and technology and Longan planting showed eagerly looking forward to it.
Fig. 2.12 The picture shows members of the practice team giving a
scientific
lecture
E. Learn Longan cultivation and
management techniques
In order to deeply understand the production and cultivation of Longan
fruit
trees in Yuxi,
FAFU-China went to the standard planting base of Longan in Jianxin Village. The team invited
Zuxing
Yu, Secretary general of Fuqing Agricultural Technical Association, to carry out a field
teaching
combining theory and practice. As for the pruning of branches and leaves, ineffective
divided leaves
should be removed, as long leaves are densely clustered, resulting in nutrient waste of the
tree
body. Ineffectively divided leaves would make it difficult to form clusters of fruits,
affecting the
shape of fruits. Of the ten branches he saw, not more than three or four were bearing fruit.
The
number of fruit should not exceed the number of leaves, otherwise it will affect the quality
of the
fruit. Removing the leaves from the fruit cluster is to prevent the fruit and leaves mixing;
removing the new leaflet in the center of the fruit cluster is to prevent overshoot. These
are late
pruning measures that if the tree body does not do in advance of treatment, late pruning
workload
would be very large. If a certain concentration of ethephon is sprayed on the tree from
mid-February
to early March, there will be no leaves in the fruit clusters in the later growth. The
specific
spraying measures are: when spraying, walk around the tree, spray while walking, control the
amount
of application, do not have overlapping spraying area and stop before the fruit and leaves
reach the
degree of dripping. It cannot be excessive, otherwise it is adverse to the growth of fruit
trees.
Fig. 2.13 The picture shows Secretary General Zuxing Yu demonstrating
thinning branches and fruits of Longan
3. The late promotion
This trip to explore local solutions gained a lot, including 1 science and
technology
lecture, 2
research reports, 1 video results, 16 news media reports and 1 Fuqing TV report. Please
click
the form
below for more details.
Reference
[1] Kook, Moo-Chang, and Seok-Cheol Cho. "Production of GABA (gamma amino
butyric
acid) by lactic acid
bacteria." Food Science of Animal Resources 33.3 (2013): 377-389.
