Yuli Melon

Yuli Melon

Yuli Melon is a Geographical Indication (GI) agricultural product.

　　According to the local Luobu elders, the Luobu people began cultivating melons very early on, with the Uyghur name for melon being "kehong." The excavation of actual melon specimens from the Jin Dynasty (3rd–5th century AD) among the relics in the Astana Tombs of the Gaochang Ancient City in Turpan indicates that Xinjiang has been growing melons for at least 1,500 years. The name "Hami melon" originated in the Qing Dynasty. According to the "Huijiang Zhi" (Records of Hui Region) from Emperor Qianlong’s reign, during the Kangxi era, the King of Hami pledged allegiance and presented melons as tribute. The imperial court regarded them as rare delicacies and named them Hami melons — a title that has endured for over 300 years. Hami melons in Xinjiang are grown throughout both northern and southern regions, with cultivation occurring in all but a few high-altitude, cold areas. Major production areas include Turpan, Shanshan, Hami, Yecheng, Pishan, Maigaiti, Xinhe, Yuli, as well as the 103rd and 121st Regiments of the Xinjiang Production and Construction Corps. Xinjiang’s continental climate and arid desert soil provide unique conditions ideal for melon cultivation. Yuli, also known as "Luobunao," derives its name from “Lop Nur.” The climate here is a typical warm temperate continental desert climate — dry air, abundant sunshine, with an average annual sunshine duration of 3,143.7 hours. The area enjoys plentiful heat and sunlight year-round, along with significant day-night temperature variations. Located in the southeastern part of the Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region, along the northeastern edge of the Tarim Basin, the county’s cultivated land consists mainly of sandy loam and oil-rich soils with good permeability. The well-aerated sandy loam allows for rapid ground temperature increases in early spring, which is highly beneficial for the growth of melon seedlings. Additionally, the high salt-alkali content in the soil helps advance the melon ripening period while meeting the mineral nutrient requirements needed for high sugar content, excellent quality, and a uniquely palatable texture. After 1970, intercropping practices were promoted in some production teams (villages) with limited land in Xingping Commune. The main intercropping models included planting melons and watermelons alongside sugar beets, fruits alongside vegetables in orchards, and corn alongside soybeans. After the founding of the People's Republic of China, living standards continued to improve, and the demand for vegetables and fruits increased year by year. In 1985, the county planted 0.28 million mu of melons, yielding a total of 6.496 million jin; 200 mu of watermelons were also planted, producing 466,000 jin. During the harvest season (July to October), melon markets and stalls lined the streets, and many makeshift melon stands were set up at village entrances and along roadsides.

　　Location: Xinjiang

　　Applicant: Yuli County Agricultural Technology Extension Center

　　Year of designation: 2013

　　Geographic Scope

　　Yuli County is located in the southeastern part of the Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region. It was once part of ancient states in the Western Regions, including the states of Yuli, Quli, and Shan. To the west, it borders Shaya County and Kuqa County; to the north, it neighbors Luntai County, Bohu County, Heshuo County, and Toksun County, Turpan Prefecture, Turpan City, and Shanshan County; to the east lies Ruoqiang County; and to the south, it rests against the Tarim Basin, adjacent to Qiemo County. The county lies along the northeastern edge of the Taklamakan Desert, in the middle and lower reaches of the Tarim River and Kongque River. The geographical indication protection area for Yuli Watermelon includes seven townships and one town within Yuli County: Xingping Township, Tarim Township, Gulebage Township, Dunkuantan Township, Aksupu Township, Kaqiquga Township, Tuanjie Township, Xiaotang, and Yuli Town. This encompasses 7 townships, 1 town, 1 management committee, and 50 administrative villages. The geographic coordinates span 84°02′50″E to 89°58′50″E longitude, and 40°10′30″N to 41°39′47″N latitude, with an average elevation of 2,000 meters. The protected area covers 7,400 mu, with an annual total yield of 296,000 tons.

　　Product Quality Characteristics

　　(1) External Sensory Features: Yuli melons are oval or round in shape, with a vertical diameter of 30–40 cm and a horizontal diameter of 18–23 cm. The fruit shape index ranges from 1.3 to 1.6, and individual melons weigh between 3–6 kg. They are highly aromatic. The rind is thin, with a clear boundary between rind and flesh. The rind is green or yellow, featuring uneven net-like patterns. The flesh is orange-red, fine-textured, crisp, and juicy. (2) Internal Quality Indicators: The flesh of Yuli melon is orange-red, with a fine, crisp, and sweet taste. The sugar gradient within the flesh is minimal, and the fiber content is low and fine. The reduced vitamin C content is 13.0–15.5 (g/100g), total sugar 7.55–9.50 (g/100g), soluble solids 9.2%–12.0%, total acid 0.5–0.9 (g/kg), calcium 70–90 (mg/kg), iron 13–18 (mg/kg), potassium 2,700–2,900 (mg/kg), phosphorus 100–130 (mg/kg), zinc 0.1–1.5 (mg/kg), sodium 140–170 (mg/kg), and magnesium 120–150 (mg/kg). Additionally, it contains 18 types of amino acids, including aspartic acid, glutamic acid, glycine, and histidine. (3) Safety Requirements: Products within the quality and safety protection zone comply with production technical regulations and are strictly cultivated according to the "Green Food Melon Criteria" (NY/T427-2007).