Hulan Scallions

Hulan Scallions

Hulan Scallions are a geographical indication agricultural product.

　　Hulan has a long history of agricultural development. The production of Hulan scallions has spanned over a century. Especially after 1958, chicken-leg scallions were continuously cultivated, yielding 20,000–30,000 kilograms per hectare. After 1974, marine scallions were introduced and, through local modification and seed selection, became a high-yield variety. Their characteristics include tall white stalks, tender green leaves, thick stems with pure flavor, and yields as high as 70,000–100,000 kilograms. Thanks to the unique black clay soil, they boast advantages such as “strong spiciness, thick stems, and frost resistance,” earning them the name Hulan Scallions. They are praised with the saying: “Hulan scallions, Acheng garlic, and Shuangcheng berries need no inspection,” making them one of the flagship vegetable products of Hulan.

　　Geographic Scope

　　Hulan District is located in the southern part of Heilongjiang Province, on the north bank of the Songhua River and the lower reaches of the Hulan River. It lies between 126°11′–127°19′ east longitude and 45°49′–46°25′ north latitude. The district borders the Songhua River to the south, Bayan County to the east, Zhaodong and Lanxi to the west, and Suihua to the north. The designated protected area for Hulan Scallions includes 48 villages across seven towns (streets) within Hulan District: Shuangjing Town, Mengjia Township, Changling Town, Yaopu Subdistrict, Limin Subdistrict, Hulan Subdistrict, and Lanhe Subdistrict. The total protected area spans 11,896 hectares, with a current production area of 956 hectares and an annual total yield of 42,675 metric tons.

　　Natural Ecological Environment and Humanistic Historical Factors

　　(1) Soil and Topography: Hulan District is situated in the central part of the Songnen Plain, featuring flat terrain that is slightly higher in the northeast and slightly lower in the southwest. The “one river and four streams” have formed fertile alluvial and sedimentary plains in Hulan. The relative elevation difference of various landforms ranges between 20–30 meters, constituting a wavy plain. There are no complex terrains such as mountains or hills, and the overall landform type is relatively uniform. The lowest elevation is 113 meters, while the highest point, Tuanshanzi, is 189.5 meters, generally ranging between 115–150 meters, with the eastern part at 170 meters. The Songhua River and Hulan River flow through the western, central, and southern parts of Hulan District.

　　Hulan District boasts vast territory, fertile soil, and abundant resources, with eight types of soil including black soil, chernozem, and meadow soil. The soil fertility is relatively high, with organic matter content reaching around 3%, and available N, P, and K contents at 100–140 mg/kg, 10–20 mg/kg, and 140–200 mg/kg respectively. It is suitable for the growth of both dryland and paddy field crops.

　　(2) Hydrology: Hulan District has crisscrossing rivers and numerous lakes, ponds, and ditches. The “one river and four streams” within the district all belong to the Songhua River system, flowing around or through the area, with a total waterway length of 226 kilometers. The total water area of rivers and streams is 351,000 mu. Water quality meets the first-class standard of GB3838 for surface water environment and the standard of GB5749 for drinking water. Hulan District currently has four reservoir irrigation areas—Nihe, Yaopu, Shaoling, and Tuanshan—seven water lifting projects, an effective irrigated area of 210,000 mu, a sprinkler irrigation area of 13,000 mu, and a water storage capacity of 450 million cubic meters. The district has 92 kilometers of flood control embankments, with the Songhua River embankment meeting the 20-year flood prevention standard and the Hulan River embankment meeting the 30-year defense standard.

　　(3) Climate: Hulan is located in the mid-latitude zone and falls within the temperate continental monsoon climate region. The climate features are distinct: spring is windy and rainy, warm and comfortable; summer is hot with abundant rainfall; autumn is cool with clear skies; winter is long, cold, and dry. The annual average temperature is 3.6°C. The highest average annual temperature is 23°C, and the lowest is -19.1°C. The annual average precipitation is 500–550 millimeters, but the distribution varies greatly by season, with June to August being the peak rainy period, accounting for 69% of the annual average precipitation. The annual average sunshine duration is 2,732.2 hours, with concentrated, intense, and lengthy sunlight from May to September, which is beneficial for crop growth. The frost-free period is short, with the first frost occurring on September 25 and the last frost on May 4, totaling about 143 days. The average annual wind speed is 3.5 meters per second, with the prevailing wind direction being southwest in summer and northwest in winter. Although it is located in a high-latitude, cold-climate region of the country, the summer temperatures are high, with rain and heat occurring in the same season, ample sunlight, large diurnal temperature variations, and relatively moist soil, providing unique natural conditions for cultivation. In terms of meteorological facilities, the district has built 10 artillery stations along three hail lines, equipped with 11 anti-aircraft guns and one rain-enhancing rocket vehicle, protecting 1.5 million mu of farmland annually.

　　(4) Humanistic History: Hulan has a long history of agricultural development. The production of Hulan scallions has spanned over a century. Especially after 1958, chicken-leg scallions were continuously cultivated, yielding 20,000–30,000 kilograms per hectare. After 1974, marine scallions were introduced and, through local modification and seed selection, became a high-yield variety. Their characteristics include tall white stalks, tender green leaves, thick stems with pure flavor, and yields as high as 70,000–100,000 kilograms. They are named Hulan Scallions and are praised with the saying: “Hulan scallions, Acheng garlic, and Shuangcheng berries need no inspection,” making them one of the flagship vegetable products of Hulan.

　　Production Technical Requirements

　　(1) Site Selection: Hulan Scallions should be grown in areas free from pollution sources, where the natural environment remains undisturbed. The production site must have sustainable production capacity, i.e., clean air, water (source and quality), and fertile, well-tilled soil. Black soil and chernozem plots are preferred for planting.

　　(2) Variety Selection: Select high-quality, high-yield varieties with strong adaptability to local ecological conditions and resistance, which have been approved and promoted. Preferred varieties include Zhangqiu Scallions, Heiniutui, and Marine Scallions. Before sowing, seeds must be carefully selected, with purity and cleanliness not less than 98%, germination rate not less than 85%, and quality meeting or exceeding Grade II of the seed grading standard.

　　(3) Production Process Management:

　　a. Stubble Selection and Land Preparation

　　Plant 12,000–22,000 scallion plants per 667 m², with row and plant spacing of 60 cm–80 cm × 5 cm–7 cm. Scallion seedlings should be graded and transplanted by size: large, medium, and small. Use the dry planting method: insert seedlings into the bottom of prepared scallion trenches, to a depth that does not bury the five-fork stem, then compact the soil on both sides before watering. Alternatively, use the wet planting method: water first, then plant the scallions. After transplanting and during the seedling establishment period, as the weather turns into hot summer, the plants enter a semi-dormant state. Generally, avoid watering, focus on soil cultivation to retain moisture, remove weeds, and drain any accumulated water promptly after rain.

　　b. Fertilization

　　Land Preparation and Fertilization: Plow and harrow the soil thoroughly. Under medium fertility conditions, apply 4,000 kg of high-quality organic fertilizer (e.g., well-rotted pig manure) per 667 m² during land preparation, along with 3 kg of nitrogen fertilizer (N) (equivalent to 6.5 kg urea), 5 kg of phosphorus fertilizer (P₂O₅) (equivalent to 42 kg calcium superphosphate), and 5 kg of potassium fertilizer (K₂O) (equivalent to 10 kg potassium sulfate). Sulfur-containing fertilizers are preferred. Before transplanting, dig trenches along the row spacing, 30 cm deep, and apply phosphorus and potassium fertilizers in the trench. Loosen the bottom of the trench and mix the fertilizer with soil evenly. Watering: Starting in August, as scallions begin vigorous growth, maintain soil moisture, gradually increasing the frequency and amount of watering. Stop watering 7–10 days before harvest. Topdressing: Use urea and ammonium sulfate as topdressing materials. Combined with watering, apply 4 kg of nitrogen fertilizer (N) (equivalent to 8.7 kg urea) per 667 m² during the Beginning of Autumn and White Dew solar terms. During the mid-to-late growth stages, foliar feeding with 0.5% potassium dihydrogen phosphate solution can be applied 2–3 times.

　　c. Sowing

　　Use 3–4 kg of seeds per 667 m². Seed Treatment: Soak seeds in 55°C warm water with stirring for 20–30 minutes, or soak in a 0.2% solution for 20–30 minutes. Rinse, dry, and then sow. Seedbed Preparation: Choose a flat site with convenient irrigation and drainage, fertile soil, and no scallion or garlic cultivation in the past three years. Combine land preparation with application of 6,000–8,000 kg of well-rotted organic fertilizer and 20 kg of diammonium phosphate per 667 m². Perform shallow tillage, fine harrowing, leveling, and make seedbeds. Sowing Period: Autumn sowing takes place from mid-September to early October; spring sowing from mid-March to early April. Water the seedbed sufficiently, then broadcast seeds evenly on the surface after water seeps in, covering with 0.8–1.0 cm of fine soil.

　　d. Field Management

　　Water immediately after transplanting, and again 3–5 days later for seedling establishment. For those transplanted before winter, water once before soil freezes, and again upon regreening the following year. During peak leaf growth, keep the soil moist but not waterlogged, watering generally every 7–10 days. Increase watering frequency during bulb swelling, typically every 6–8 days. Stop watering 8–10 days before harvest.

　　(4) Product Harvest: The harvesting period for scallions varies slightly by regional climate. Generally, when the outer leaves have mostly stopped growing and their color turns yellowish-green, about 15–20 days before soil freezes in winter, is the optimal time for harvesting.

　　(5) Production Records: Maintain comprehensive field production technical records for the entire scallion production process for future reference.

　　Typical Quality Characteristics and Product Quality Safety Standards

　　(1) External Sensory Characteristics: Among the many cultivated varieties of scallions in China, only “Hulan Scallions” stand out uniquely, excelling in “name,” “specialty,” and “quality.”

　　Typically, they grow to a height of 1.5 meters, with a white portion of 0.6 meters and a stem diameter of 0.03–0.04 meters. Individual plant weight is around 0.5 kg; high-yield plants can weigh up to 1.5 kg, reach 2 meters in height, and have a white portion of 0.8 meters, hence earning the title “King of Scallions.” The scallion leaves are fresh green in color, crisp and tender in texture, snapping easily when dropped, sweet and juicy, with no fibers when chewed—representing top-tier quality.

　　(2) Internal Quality Indicators: The quality characteristics of Hulan Scallions can be summarized in four words: tall, long, crisp, and sweet. Tall: Refers to the tall and robust plant of Hulan Scallions, making it a standout among all scallion varieties both domestically and internationally, hence earning the title “King of Scallions.” Long: Refers to the main edible part of Hulan Scallions—the white stalk—which is very long and straight. Typically 50–60 cm long, and up to around 80 cm at maximum, it is highly favored by consumers. Crisp: Refers to the tender and crisp texture of Hulan Scallions, which are exceptionally delicious. Sweet: Refers to the white stalk of Hulan Scallions, which has a sweet and pleasant taste with little spiciness, making it ideal for raw consumption and also excellent when cooked.

　　Packaging and Labeling Regulations

　　① Labeling: The packaging should indicate the product name, product standard code, trademark, producer’s name, detailed address, grade, specifications, net content, and packaging date. The text on the label should be clear, complete, and accurate.

　　② Packaging: Packaging materials should be non-toxic, harmless, and non-polluting, and must be sturdy while also providing light-proofing and moisture resistance. Plastic bags or composite film bags and cartons are recommended, with sealing paper or strapping tape used on the outside of the box. Products of the same variety should be packaged separately.

　　The net content of each package should be consistent, and any variance should comply with the JJF1070 standard.

　　③ Transportation: After harvest, scallions should be trimmed on-site, then promptly packaged and transported. During transport, handle with care to avoid mechanical damage. Transport vehicles must be clean, hygienic, and free from contamination.