Zhalantun Black Fungus

Zhalantun Black Fungus

Zhalantun black fungus is a geographical indication agricultural product.

　　Zhalantun black fungus has a long production history. Since the 28th year of Emperor Kangxi’s reign (1689), it has been an indispensable delicacy for entertaining honored guests in the region and is known as the “meat among vegetables.” Zhalantun black fungus is cultivated using multi-year-grown oak wood segments or oak sawdust through artificial cultivation methods. Its external sensory characteristics are: black with transparency, shaped like human ears, with large ears, thick and fleshy lobes, a crisp taste, a lotus-like posture, and containing nutrients such as protein, crude fiber, calcium, phosphorus, iron, vitamins B1, and B2. Mr. Jin Fazhong, Deputy Director of the Agricultural Product Quality and Safety Center under the Ministry of Agriculture, praised Zhalantun black fungus as the finest among all varieties, possessing medicinal and health benefits. Zhalantun black fungus is a geographical indication protected agricultural product and green food recognized by the Ministry of Agriculture.

　　(1) Soil and Topography: The administrative area of Zhalantun spans 16,900 square kilometers. Backed by the Greater Khingan Mountains and facing the Songnen Plain, its topography generally presents a pattern of “70% forest, 20% grassland, and 10% farmland,” with a forest coverage rate of 67.78%, making it an important ecological barrier in China’s northeastern region. The soil types in the city are mainly black soil and meadow soil, with soil pH values ranging between 4.3 and 7.9, and an average organic matter content of 6.11%. It lies in the transitional zone from the western grassland area of the Greater Khingan Mountains to the eastern Songliao Plain agricultural area. Low mountains, high hills, and river valleys are interspersed, the soil is fertile, and the land is highly arable.

　　(2) Hydrology: The area enjoys abundant water resources. Precipitation is the main source of surface water, which is relatively plentiful and concentrated, with an annual precipitation of 460–580 mm. There are currently 12 headworks, three major channels, two small reservoirs, five ponds, and over 300 canal system structures. Seasonal variations in river runoff are significant, the utilization of transit water is limited, but overall water resources are relatively rich. The base flow of groundwater is 443 million cubic meters, accounting for 23.7% of total groundwater resources, with a developable volume of 111 million cubic meters, representing 25% of the base flow. Water quality remains good.

　　(3) Climate: Zhalantun has a mid-temperate monsoon climate, with distinct seasons and concurrent heat and rainfall. The annual sunshine duration is 2,619 hours, the effective accumulated temperature above 10°C averages 2,515°C, the annual rainfall is 450–550 mm, and the frost-free period lasts 110–130 days annually. These conditions are highly favorable for cultivating high-quality black fungus.

　　(4) Humanistic and Historical Background: After the construction and opening of the China Eastern Railway in the Zhalantun area in 1901, the population gradually increased, and agriculture, industry, and commerce began to emerge. From then on, Zhalantun black fungus stepped out of the forests. The artificial cultivation of edible fungi in Zhalantun started with black fungus and has nearly a hundred years of history. The 1960s and 1970s were stages of experimentation and typical demonstration, and by the 1980s, black fungus was commonly cultivated artificially in towns across the southwestern part of Zhalantun. The year 1989 marked a peak year for artificial black fungus cultivation in Zhalantun, with approximately 30 million fungus segments. Since 1980, Zhalantun black fungus has been a major export agricultural product, shipped to countries such as the former Soviet Union. Zhalantun is a primary production area of black fungus in the Greater Khingan Mountains region, yielding over 700,000 kg annually, with more than 8,385 fungus cultivation households. By 2007, there were 15,675 cultivation households in the city, producing over 700 tons per year. In May 2008, the construction of the Aolin Mountain Specialty Food Co., Ltd.’s 1 million jin (500-ton) black fungus planting and processing project commenced in Chengjisihan Town. This project is a key initiative by Zhalantun to accelerate industrial restructuring, increase farmers’ incomes, and build a green agricultural, livestock, and forestry product processing system. The development prospects and profit potential of Zhalantun black fungus are considerable.

　　Geographic Scope

　　Zhalantun black fungus is produced within the territory of Zhalantun City, Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region, located at the eastern foothills of the Greater Khingan Mountains in the southernmost part of Hulunbuir City. To the east, it borders Arun Banner; to the south, it neighbors Gannan County and Longjiang County of Heilongjiang Province, as well as Jalaid Banner; to the west, it connects with Xing’an League; and to the north, it lies adjacent to Yakeshi City. It serves as the eastern gateway of Hulunbuir. The Eurasian Continental Bridge’s Binzhou Railway runs through the entire region, while the interprovincial corridor from Arun Banner in Inner Mongolia to Beihai in Guangxi, along with National Highways 301 and 111, intersect here. The protected geographical indication area for Zhalantun black fungus agricultural products spans longitude 120°06′–122°19′ and latitude 47°50′–48°02′. It includes ten townships and offices—Nanmu Oroqen Ethnic Township, Halasu Office, Woniuhe Town, Samajie Ewenki Ethnic Township, Muguchi Town, Guanmenshan Office, Sejilahuhu Office, Wadi Town, Haoraoshan Town, and Chaihe Office—along with their 71 administrative villages. The total production area covers 2.6 million hectares, with an annual yield of over 700 tons.