ISHS Acta Horticulturae 467: III International Symposium Diversification of Vegetable Crops
DIVERSITY OF EDIBLE VEGETABLES IN CHINA |
| Authors: | C. Hang, Z. Yu-jie, F. De-zhi, W. Yin-zheng |
| Abstract:
China is one of the countries which has the richest plant resources consisting of more than 400 families, over 3100 genera and about 30,000 species of seed plants. China's vast area, mostly between 18°N and 54°N latitude, which stretches across frigid, temperate and tropic zones readily accommodates such diversity. The geographical conditions within China also vary greatly and further contribute to considerable environmental diversity. Plants grow at elevations from the highest in the world, i.e., the Qing-Zang Plateau, to 150 meters below sea level, which is evidence of the rich diversity. Among the numerous plant species found in China, a huge number are endemic. Many species have special economic values, which played an important role in human civilization in China and in the world. Edible plants, which include vegetables are indispensable for human subsistence. As one of the world's major and early center for the development of civilization the Chinese began to cultivate a large number of vegetables well before 2000 B.C. Early documentation, such as “The Book of Songs” recorded cultivation techniques and management of some crops as well as the techniques for preserving vegetables. According to a recent statistical survey that is still in progress, about 302 botanical varieties in 65 families are grown in China, of which 41 families are seed plants, and 24 families are edible fungi, algae, lichens, and ferns that by tradition are considered as vegetables (Table 1).
Only about 20% of these are commercially popular in most parts of China. Thus there is tremendous opportunity to expand production and utilization of this huge diversity. | |
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