Dragon fruit from Luodian

Dragon fruit from Luodian

Dragon fruit from Luodian is a protected geographical indication product.

　　Luodian County is located on the Hongshui River in the southern border area of Guizhou Province and enjoys a typical tropical monsoon humid climate in the South Asian region, often referred to as a “natural greenhouse.” The favorable climate is highly conducive to the growth of dragon fruit, with 150,000 acres of land suitable for cultivation at altitudes below 600 meters.

　　In 2001, dragon fruit in Luodian County was successfully selected and trial-planted by the Guizhou Provincial Fruit Research Institute from local wild varieties, and in 2007, it won a gold award at the first China Chengdu International Agricultural Expo, laying a solid foundation for developing the local dragon fruit industry and building its brand. By the end of 2011, the county’s dragon fruit planting area reached 32,700 acres, with 3,000 acres in production, yielding 500 tons and generating 15 million yuan in output value. In 2012, the county planned to add 20,000 acres of new dragon fruit plantings, bringing the total area to over 52,700 acres by year-end, with more than 11,000 acres in production, yielding over 3,600 tons and creating an output value of over 72 million yuan.

　　To seize development opportunities and make full use of the advantages of the “natural greenhouse” climate to develop characteristic industries, the plan during the 12th Five-Year Plan period is to promote the planting of over 20,000 acres annually, aiming to establish a standardized and regulated dragon fruit production base covering 150,000 acres by 2015, making the county a true “hometown of dragon fruit.”

　　The main varieties of dragon fruit in our county are Purple Red Dragon and Pink Red Dragon. The dragon fruit produced here features a richer flavor and better taste compared to those from other regions, with higher contents of amino acids, potassium, calcium, magnesium, zinc, iron, phosphorus, selenium, protein, and low sugar, which makes it highly popular among consumers.

　　Dragon fruit from Luodian

　　The administrative region under the jurisdiction of 16 towns and townships in Luodian County, Guizhou Province: Longping Town, Fengting Town, Moyang Town, Maojing Town, Luokun Town, Hongshuihe Town, Bangeng Township, Bazong Township, Dongdang Township, Fengting Township, Datang Township, Banren Township, Luosu Township, Luomu Township, Gouting Township, and Luotuo Township.

　　Guizhou Province's "Letter from the People’s Government of Luodian County Regarding the Delimitation of the Geographical Indication Protection Scope of Luodian Dragon Fruit," Lu Fu Han [2012] No. 94.

　　Local standard of Luodian County: DB522728/01-2012 "Cultivation Technical Regulations for Luodian Dragon Fruit."

　　Quality and technical requirements for Luodian dragon fruit

　　I. Plant Source

　　Dragon fruit (Hylocereus undatus (Haw.) Britt. et Rose).

　　II. Site Conditions

　　Altitude within the production area ranges from 600m to 900m in mountainous plateaus and hilly areas. The soil type is loose, moist sandy soil, with organic matter content between 2% and 4%, and soil pH value between 6.0 and 8.0.

　　III. Cultivation Management

　　1. Propagation Methods: Seed propagation or hard branch cutting propagation.

　　2. Planting: Planting takes place in February or October.

　　3. Fertilization:

　　(1) Seedling fertilization: Mainly with well-rotted organic fertilizer plus 0.5% urea, applied once a month. Before November, apply 10 kg to 15 kg of well-rotted organic fertilizer per plant.

　　(2) Fruiting tree fertilization: At the beginning of annual temperature rise, apply 20 kg to 25 kg of well-rotted organic fertilizer per plant. During the fruiting period, after each harvest, apply 15 kg to 20 kg of well-rotted organic fertilizer per plant, supplemented with 1% phosphorus and 1.5% potassium fertilizer, applied every 15 to 20 days.

　　4. Artificial Pollination: Pollinate between 22:00 in the evening of flowering and 9:00 the next morning.

　　5. Environmental and Safety Requirements: The use of pesticides, fertilizers, and the like must comply with national regulations and must not cause environmental pollution.

　　IV. Harvesting and Storage

　　1. Harvesting: Fruits are harvested when their surface turns completely red.

　　2. Storage: Fruits can be stored for 30 days under conditions of 8°C to 10°C and 80% to 90% relative humidity.

　　V. Quality Characteristics

　　1. Sensory Characteristics: Moderate size, bright red color, juicy with rich flavor and non-sticky texture.

　　2. Physicochemical indicators: moisture content ≥80.0%, protein content ≥1.0%, fat content ≤0.6%, soluble sugar content ≥7.0%, anthocyanin content ≥4.5 mg/g.

　　3. Safety and other quality technical requirements: The safety and other quality technical requirements of the product must comply with relevant national regulations.