Zhushan Pueraria (Yam Bean)

Zhushan Pueraria

Zhushan Pueraria is a protected geographical indication product.

　　Produced in Zhushan Village, Tangtang Town, known for its fine, sweet and fiber-free texture, it is a local specialty. (Qingyuan)

　　Produced in Zhushan Village, Tangtang Town, it features tender flesh, no fibers, and a sweet taste. It has the functions of clearing heat and detoxifying, and can be used for making soups, braised meats, or ground into powder to be consumed as a hot drink. Due to its excellent quality and good reputation, Zhushan Pueraria and its premium packaged powder have become major tourism products of Fogang County in recent years, selling well in Qingyuan, Guangzhou and other areas.

　　 The production area of Zhushan Pueraria covers the entire administrative region of Fogang County, Guangdong Province.

　　Quality and Technical Requirements for Zhushan Pueraria

　　I. Variety

　　 Fine-leafed Pueraria (Pueraria thomsonii Benth).

　　II. Growing Conditions

　　The soil is red soil, with a sandy loam texture, organic matter content ≥1.5%, pH value ranging from 5.0 to 7.0, soil layer thickness ≥30 cm, deep and loose, fertile and soft.

　　III. Cultivation and Management

　　1. Seedling cultivation: During harvest, select healthy, pest- and disease-free vines for cutting propagation.

　　2. Planting: Conduct around the Awakening of Insects (Jingzhe) solar term in the lunar calendar, choosing sunny days with stable temperatures; for sole cropping, planting density ≤700 plants per 667㎡ (mu); for intercropping, ≤380 plants per 667㎡ (mu).

　　3. Plant pruning: Use trellising for cultivation; retain one main vine per plant, remove all lateral vines below 150 cm on the main vine, and retain lateral vines on the main vine if it exceeds 150 cm.

　　4. Fertilization and irrigation: Primarily use organic fertilizer, supplemented with small amounts of phosphorus, potassium, and nitrogen fertilizers. Base fertilizer is applied mainly through furrow application, using ≥150 kg of peanut meal per 667㎡ (mu), applied in furrows 20–30 cm away from the main root of the Pueraria.

　　5. Plant management: Employ the method of first promoting then controlling during vine training and pruning. From the end of July to early August, when the main vine reaches 200 cm, loosen the surface soil to expose the root-stem junction to promote the growth and swelling of the tuber.

　　6. Crop rotation: Use a one-year rotation system alternating between aquatic and dryland crops.

　　7. Environmental and safety requirements: The use of pesticides, fertilizers, etc., must comply with national regulations, and must not cause environmental pollution.

　　IV. Harvesting and Storage

　　1. Harvesting: Begins in September, harvesting larger tubers while leaving smaller ones, continuing until all are harvested by January of the following year.

　　2. Storage: Use river sand for layered covering, maintaining relative humidity at around 35% and ambient temperature between 15°C and 20°C.

　　V. Quality Characteristics

　　1. Sensory characteristics: Zhushan Pueraria is olive-shaped, with few fibrous roots, no branching, slightly wrinkled yellowish-white skin, and a strong Pueraria aroma; the flesh is milky white, with thin skin, fragrant, tender texture, and no fibers upon eating.

　　2. Physicochemical indicators: Fresh Pueraria has moisture content ≥55%, crude fiber ≤2.0%, and protein ≥5.0%.

　　3. Safety and other quality technical requirements: Product safety and other quality technical requirements must comply with national regulations.