Yellow River Estuary Honey Peach

Yellow River Estuary Honey Peach

Yellow River Estuary Honey Peach is a product with geographical indication.

　　Yellow River Estuary Honey Peach is a collective term for a series of honey peach varieties, introduced from abroad and domestically cultivated in recent years as premium, rare, and specialty cultivars. These peaches are rich in nutrition and health benefits, with soluble solids content exceeding 15%. They are abundant in minerals such as selenium, strontium, and calcium, as well as high levels of vitamins C, B, and E, making them a nutritious and healthful food suitable for all ages. The Yellow River Estuary series of honey peaches produced in Kenli County are known for their large size, bright color, sweet and fragrant flavor, and good storability and transportability. They are divided into three series—early, mid, and late ripening—with over twenty varieties available from April to October. Currently, there are three major Yellow River Estuary honey peach bases in Kenli County, covering an area of 15,000 mu, with an annual production of 20 million kilograms of fresh peaches.

　　Geographical Scope

　　Kenli County is located between 118°15′–119°10′ east longitude and 37°24′–37°59′ north latitude, at an elevation of 6 meters. The Yellow River Estuary Honey Peach bases are situated in the northeastern part of Kenli County, within Xisong Township. The specific area extends east of the southern flood control dike, west of Laojianlin, north of the old southern dike, and south of Laojianlin, covering a total production area of 666 hectares. It involves villages in Xisong Township including Zhaowu Village, Xinjian Village, Xinli Village, Muchang Village, Yanwo Village, Zhangxincun Village, Yongxing Village, Dongxing Village, Cangzhou Village, Weidong Village, Songtuo Village, Wuzhuang Village, and Dongsong Village. The annual output is 4,500 tons, generating an annual income of 9 million yuan.

　　Natural Ecological Environment and Humanistic Historical Factors

　　(1) Soil and Topography: The soil type is coastal chao soil. With a pH of around 7.5, it is slightly alkaline, loose in texture, and has good tillage properties. The nutrient content in the 0–20 cm soil layer includes 0.8–1.0% organic matter, 0.07% total nitrogen, 47.1 ppm alkali-hydrolyzable nitrogen, 80.66 ppm available potassium, and soil salt content of 0.3–0.5%. The groundwater depth is 3.8 meters, with a mineralization degree of 2–5 grams per liter. The base features typical delta topography, consisting of gently sloping flat land that is generally flat with minimal undulation, having a natural slope of about 1/10,000. The ground elevation ranges between 5.5 and 7.5 meters (above sea level, Yellow Sea).

　　(2) Hydrological Conditions: The shallow groundwater within the base is saline and not usable for agricultural production. The sole source of irrigation and domestic water is the Yellow River’s diverted water. The main canal for water diversion in the base is the Wuqi Main Canal, with a water delivery capacity of 12 m³/s and an annual water supply of 56.2 million cubic meters, fully meeting the production and living water needs of the orchard. The base is fully equipped with ditches, canals, roads, forests, bridges, culverts, and sluices, enabling pipe irrigation. Additionally,

　　there is a backup reservoir in the northern part of the township with a storage capacity of 2 million cubic meters, ensuring fundamental water resource security. The Xiaodao River, with a flood discharge capacity of 10 m³/s, runs through the entire base, eliminating any issues with flood control and drainage.

　　(3) Climate: The base has a temperate monsoon continental climate, significantly influenced by monsoons, with distinct seasons and clear boundaries between cold, hot, dry, and wet periods. Springs are dry and windy, summers are hot and rainy, autumns are cool and sunny, and winters are cold and dry. The average annual rainfall is 557.3 mm, the average annual temperature is 14.8°C, and the accumulated temperature above 10°C is 4,222.1°C.

　　(4) Humanistic and Historical Background: Xisong Township in Kenli County is located at the mouth of the Yellow River in the northeastern part of Shandong Province. During the Western Han Dynasty, the current Kenli region was still under the Bohai Sea. In the year 11 AD, the Yellow River changed its course to flow into the sea via Qiansheng, and after long-term silt deposition and land formation, this young land was formed. After liberation in 1941, an anti-Japanese democratic government was established in the reclamation area, and in April 1943, the reclamation government was renamed Kenli County. As early as the Qing Dynasty, local residents planted fruit trees such as peach, apricot, and jujube around their homes. In the 1940s, extensive peach and apricot orchards were planted between Yong’an and Liujia Tuozhi. After the founding of the People’s Republic of China, people often planted peach, apricot, and jujube trees sporadically in their courtyards. From 1964 to 1978, the county’s total orchard area reached 5,874 mu. Due to the superior quality and attractive appearance of Yellow River Estuary Honey Peaches, demand outstripped supply, and the total base area expanded to 10,729 mu. Approved by the Dongying Municipal People’s Government, the base was developed as one of the city’s fifteen model demonstration orchards, beginning construction in the spring of 1999. It has now met the national comprehensive agricultural development standards of “four highs and eight transformations,” achieving full supporting infrastructure including ditches, canals, roads, forests, bridges, culverts, sluices, and management houses. Currently, the base has total assets valued at 137.2 million yuan and employs 38 staff. After eight years of development, the base has grown into a science education and service base integrating tourism, planting, storage, and sales.

　　Production Technical Requirements

　　(1) Site Selection and Special Provisions: Select areas with no pollution and favorable ecological conditions, with deep, fertile soil and convenient drainage and irrigation, such as sandy loam. The soil pH should be 6.5–8.0, with organic matter content above 0.8%, and groundwater level below 1.2 m. The site must be far from industrial and mining enterprises, with clean irrigation water, fresh air, and water and air quality meeting the standards of NY5113.

　　(2) Variety Selection and Specific Requirements: Based on climate, combined with variety types, ripening periods, quality, storability and transportability, and stress resistance, develop a variety planning scheme. Also consider market, transportation, consumption, and socio-economic factors. Currently suitable early-ripening peach varieties include Annong Shuimi, Zaomei,

　　Chunyan Meixiang, Riguang 22, Zaohong Baoshi, Zaolu Pan Tao, and Ruipan 8; mid-season varieties include Xinchuan Zhongdao, Zaofeng Wang, Jingyan, Riguang 18, Ruipan 3, and Ruipan 4; late-season varieties mainly include Caishan Mi, Hanlu Mi, Beijing Wanmi, Dongxue Mi Tao, and Zhonghua Fu Tao. Pollinizer varieties should have flowering periods close to the main cultivars, high pollen yield, strong affinity, and high benefits. The ratio of main cultivars to pollinizers is generally 5–8:1. Rootstocks should be selected from varieties like fuzzy peach or mountain peach, which have well-developed root systems, salt and alkali tolerance, drought resistance, poor soil adaptability, fast growth, and strong grafting affinity.

　　(3) Production Process Management:

　　(3.1) Production Materials: Strictly implement the regulations on fertilizers and pesticides in standards such as the "Green Food Fertilizer Use Guidelines," "Green Food Pesticide Use Guidelines," "A-Level Green Food Prohibited Chemical Pesticide Types," and "A-Level Green Food Restricted Pesticide Use Methods." Strengthen the management of production materials used in the base, especially pesticides and fertilizers.

　　(3.2) Production Standards and Technical Regulations: Thoroughly implement laws and regulations such as the "Agriculture Law," "Quality Law," "Environmental Protection Law," "Shandong Province Environmental Protection Regulations," and the "Honey Peach Standardized Production Technical Regulations." Tailored to the base’s actual conditions, develop detailed operational procedures for the production environment, production process, and product quality, ensuring every aspect of production has applicable standards.

　　(3.3) Increased Organic Fertilizer Application and Balanced Fertilization: In accordance with green food production fertilizer requirements, first use fully decomposed organic fertilizers, and second, apply soil testing and formulated fertilization to balance nutrients. Conduct soil tests and record yields, then scientifically develop fertilization plans for different growth stages of peach trees to provide a favorable soil environment for honey peach production.

　　(3.4) Integrated Pest and Disease Management: First, strengthen agricultural and biological pest control by selecting disease- and pest-resistant varieties to enhance the plants’ own resistance. Second, improve cultivation management, keep the orchard clean, and reduce sources of pests and diseases.

　　(3.5) Production Records: Establish records of base farming activities, including activity items, worked areas, and participants. Maintain production records detailing pesticide use (pesticide name, days before harvest, concentration, spray volume) and fertilizer use (fertilizer name, amount used, frequency, operation date).

　　Product Quality Characteristics and Safety Standards

　　(1) External Sensory Characteristics: The Kenli Yellow River Estuary Honey Peach production base, with its unique ecological environment, produces honey peaches with bright colors, large size, crisp sweetness, and excellent quality. It is one of the most beloved fruits among consumers.

　　(2) Internal Quality Indicators: Each 100 grams of fruit flesh contains ≥7.5 grams of sugar, ≥0.2–1.9 grams of organic acid, ≥0.4–1.8 grams of protein, ≥0.1–1.5 grams of fat, ≥31 mg of vitamin C, and ≥0.2 mg of vitamin B2.

　　(3) Safety Requirements: The production environment of Yellow River Estuary Honey Peaches complies with GB/T18407.2-2001 "Requirements for the Quality and Safety of Non-Polluted Fruit Production Areas."

　　The Yellow River Estuary Honey Peach product meets the standards of GB/T18406.2-2001 "Safety Requirements for Non-Polluted Fruit Products."

　　(3) Safety requirements: The production environment of Yellow River Estuary Honey Peaches complies with the provisions of GB/T18407.2-2001 "Environmental Requirements for the Production Area of Pollution-Free Fruits in Agricultural Product Safety Quality."

　　The Yellow River Estuary Honey Peach products comply with the provisions of GB/T18406.2-2001 "Safety Requirements for Pollution-Free Fruits in Agricultural Product Safety Quality."

　　Relevant regulations on packaging and labeling

　　(1) Labeling: The product shall be labeled with the geographical indication for agricultural products “Yellow River Estuary Honey Peach.”

　　(2) Packaging: The honey peaches shall be placed in preservation bags, then packed into cartons printed with the pollution-free food logo. The packaging shall indicate the product name, grade, net weight, origin, trademark, company name, and other information.

　　(3) Grading: Grading shall be based on fruit size and degree of coloration. During the grading process, misshapen, pest-infested, diseased, or damaged fruits shall be removed.

　　Variety                                                                                                   &

　　 Diameter (mm) Fruit surface diseases Scars Color Diameter (mm) Fruit surface diseases Scars Color Diameter (mm) Fruit surface diseases Scars Color

　　Chunlei ≥60 None None 50% blush ≥58 None None 45% blush ≥54 None None 40% blush

　　Jinghong ≥68 None None 60% blush ≥63 None None 50% blush ≥58 None None 45% blush

　　Cangfang Zaosheng ≥70 None None Striped red ≥65 None None Striped red ≥60 None None Striped red

　　Zao Hongzhu ≥60 None None 80% blush ≥55 None None 70% blush ≥52 None None 70% blush

　　May Fire ≥65 None None 85% blush ≥60 None None 80% blush ≥55 None None 80% blush

　　Danmo ≥65 None None 95% blush ≥60 None None 90% blush ≥55 None None 90% blush

　　Okubo ≥73 None None 50% blush ≥68 None None 45% blush ≥63 None None 40% blush

　　Shanghai Shuimi ≥71 None None 50% blush ≥66 None None 45% blush ≥63 None None 45% blush

　　Qingzhou Mitu ≥64 None None 50% blush ≥61 None None 35% blush ≥58 None None 35% blush

　　Hanlu Mitu ≥83 None None 35% blush ≥78 None None 30% blush ≥73 None None 30% blush

　　Zhonghua Shoutao ≥82 None None ≥77 None None ≥72 None None

　　(4) Transportation: The suitable transportation temperature is around -1°C, with a relative humidity of 90–95%. Long-distance transport must use refrigerated vehicles, and care should be taken to prevent collisions and drops during transit.