Local Specialties of Lianglu

Local Specialties of Lianglu

　　Local Specialties of Lianglu  I. Melons (Watermelons & Muskmelons)  The main varieties of watermelons in Lianglu are mid-to-early maturing types such as Xin Hongbao and 8155; the main muskmelon varieties include Haoyun Muskmelon and Fengtian No.1. The key characteristics of these melons are short growth cycles, high yields, and good economic returns. Typically, the full growth period is around 80 days. Watermelons can yield over 6,000 jin per mu; muskmelons yield 3,000–4,000 jin per mu, with high yields reaching over 5,000 jin. The average net income from watermelons is 700–800 yuan per mu, up to 1,200 yuan at most, and no less than 500 yuan; for muskmelons, the average net income is generally 800–900 yuan per mu, peaking at 1,400 yuan, with a minimum of 700 yuan. Planting one mu of watermelons or muskmelons can be equivalent to planting 5–6 mu of early rice. In 2000, the planting area of watermelons and muskmelons in Lianglu was 3,000 mu.

II. Sugarcane  The sugarcane grown in Lianglu is mainly spring-planted, belonging to the fruit-sugarcane variety type. It forms planting patterns such as “oil-sugarcane” and “taro-sugarcane.” Sugarcane features tall plants, thick stalks, large leaf area coefficients, and high photosynthetic efficiency. It has a longer growth cycle, typically 6–8 months, yields high—over 2,000 stalks per mu—and has a long storage life and high commercial rate, resulting in good economic returns with an average net income of over 1,000 yuan per mu, up to about 1,500 yuan. Planting one mu of sugarcane is equivalent to planting two mu of rice (both early and late rice). In 2000, the sugarcane planting area in Lianglu Town was 1,800 mu.

III. Autumn Potatoes  Autumn potatoes are characterized by their short growth cycle, typically around 85 days, and good storability, usually up to three months. They can be used for both grain and vegetable processing. The main variety of autumn potatoes in Lianglu, “Nanzhong-552,” is early-maturing, high-yielding, high-quality, and disease-resistant. It yields 2,500 jin per mu, with high yields reaching over 4,000 jin. The average net income is about 450 yuan per mu, up to over 1,000 yuan. Planting one mu of autumn potatoes is equivalent to planting 3 mu of rapeseed or 3 mu of early rice, offering significant benefits. In 2000, Lianglu Town planned to plant 3,000 mu of autumn potatoes. (Wuxue)