Zhaotong Red Fuji Apple

Zhaotong Red Apple is a famous product of Zhaoyang District, Zhaotong City, Yunnan Province, and it is a nationally recognized agricultural product with a geographical indication.

Historical Background

The cultivation of Zhaotong apples dates back to 1926, during the 15th year of the Republic of China (民国十五年), when a Frenchman, Jia Haiyi (贾海义), introduced the apple to China from Europe. He initially planted it in Kunming and later brought it to Zhaotong. Over the years, there were further introductions: one in 1938 (the 27th year of the Republic of China), when Long Tifang (陇体芳) brought the apples to Yiliang; and another in 1942 (the 31st year of the Republic of China), when Wu Jingyi (吴敬漪) or Li Zhongju (李仲举) introduced them to Zhaoyang District, specifically planting them in the Li family estate in Sanyu Township, where Wu Jingyi participated in the management.

Varieties and Characteristics

The main varieties of Zhaotong apples include Jinshuai (金帅) and Red Fuji (红富士). The Fuji series, which has been adapted to the region, is particularly well-suited to Zhaoyang, yielding high quantities, excellent taste, good storage capacity, high sugar content, and a delightful flavor. Over time, these varieties have gradually replaced the local apple types. Zhaotong apples contain 113 types of aromatic compounds, including esters, alcohols, heterocycles, ketones, and phenyl derivatives, which contribute to their early ripening, sweet flavor, strong aroma, and crisp texture.

Geographical Indication Registration

On November 15, 2010, the Ministry of Agriculture of the People’s Republic of China approved the “Zhaotong Apple” for geographical indication protection.

Product Characteristics

• Appearance: Zhaotong apples are large, with a diameter of over 65mm at their widest point. The shape is either flat-rounded or round, and the fruit is typically uniform with a smooth skin. The red varieties have a bright red color, with 70% of the fruit shoulder covered in color. The fruit has a rich fragrance and maintains its characteristic color and aroma. There should be no defects like bruising, pesticide damage, sunburn, or pest damage on the apples.

• Quality: Zhaotong apples are known for their high sugar content, crisp texture, and fine flavor. Their firmness is ≥5.0 (kg/square cm), soluble solids content ≥15.0%, sugar content ≥13.0%, and titratable acid ≤0.5%. These apples are considered to be of superior quality compared to similar fruits.

Origin and Environmental Factors

Location and Geography

Zhaoyang District is located at the northeastern end of the Wumeng Mountain range, part of the Yunnan-Guizhou Plateau. It is positioned at the junction of Yunnan, Guizhou, and Sichuan provinces. To the east, it borders Weining County (威宁县) in Guizhou Province; to the south, it adjoins Ludian County (鲁甸县); to the west, it is separated by the Niulan River (牛栏江) and Jinsha River (金沙江), facing Qiaojia County (巧家县) and Jin’yang County (金阳县) in Sichuan Province. To the northwest, it shares borders with Yongshan (永善), Daguan (大关), and Yiliang (彝良) counties.

Topography and Soil

Zhaoyang District lies in the northeastern edge of the central Yunnan basin, with complex terrain formed by intersecting mountains and narrow valleys carved by rivers such as the Jinsha River, Niulan River, Sanyu River, and Pan River. The district’s highest point is Kecheliangzi in Dashanbao Township (大山包乡), at an altitude of 3364 meters, while the lowest point is Maopo in Chede Village, Dazhaizi Township (大寨子乡车德村), at an altitude of 480 meters, creating a relative height difference of 2884 meters. The area’s geology is mainly composed of limestone, sandstone, basalt, and shale, resulting in soils like yellow soil, yellow-red soil, red soil, and brown soil.

Hydrology

All the rivers in Zhaoyang District are part of the upper Jinsha River system. The main rivers include the Jinsha River, Niulan River, Sanyu River, Zhaolu River (昭鲁河), Lengshui River (冷水河), and Pan River. There are 18 reservoirs with a capacity of over 1 million cubic meters, with the Yudong Reservoir (渔洞水库) being the largest and most effective. The district’s water resources total 778 million cubic meters, with surface water accounting for 543.4 million cubic meters and groundwater resources totaling 234.6 million cubic meters. The per capita water resource allocation is 1535 cubic meters per person.

Climate

The climate of Zhaoyang District is influenced by monsoonal circulation and features a subtropical climate with temperate characteristics, showing the typical vertical climatic features of the region. The average annual temperature is 11.7°C, and the growing season for apples is characterized by favorable temperatures ranging from 15°C to 23°C during flowering, 20°C to 25°C during bud differentiation, and about 25°C during fruit development. The conditions of Zhaoyang are highly suitable for apple cultivation, with high day-time nutrient accumulation and lower night-time consumption, which leads to increased sugar, acid, and vitamin content, contributing to the apples’ excellent flavor and crisp texture.

Historical Origins

In the 15th year of the Republic of China (1926), a Frenchman named Jia Haiyi (贾海义), who was working on the Yunnan-Vietnam Railway, introduced apples from Europe to Kunming. These apples were later brought to Zhaotong (昭通).

In the early 1970s, Zhaotong began selecting new apple varieties through bud selection. The variety “Marshal 180” was one of the more representative results of this selection process. In 1978, it was awarded first place at the Yunnan Province Bud Selection Appraisal Meeting. In 1984, the Zhaotong Horticultural Society officially named it “Zhao Jin 108” (昭锦108).

In the early 1980s, the Yunnan Provincial Committee, the Provincial Government, and the Zhaotong local government paid great attention to the development of the apple industry. They began introducing Fuji color-enhanced apple varieties. After experimental planting, cultivation, selection, and domestication, Fuji series apples such as “2001,” “Pian Hong Fuji” (片红富士), and “Tiao Hong Fuji” (条红富士) were promoted in towns like Yongfeng (永丰), Saye (洒渔), Leju (乐居), and Beizha (北闸), which were suitable for the climate and geographical conditions of Zhaotong.

In 1989, the Ministry of Agriculture established a 2,000-acre high-quality Red Fuji apple production base in Zhaotong (now Zhaoyang District). This development greatly boosted the growth of the apple industry in Zhaoyang District.

At the end of 1975, the Central Ministry of Agriculture, Ministry of Foreign Trade, and the National Supply and Marketing Cooperative held a meeting in Tongchuan City, Shaanxi Province, to officially approve Zhaotong as a national apple export base county.

In 2023, Zhaotong had built seven apple sorting and processing cold chain logistics parks, with 308 controlled-atmosphere storage facilities. Several deep-processing enterprises were introduced, including those producing apple juice, apple crisps, and apple distilled spirits.

Production Overview

In 2010, the area planted with Zhaotong apples reached 215,000 acres, yielding 400,000 tons.

By 2017, the planting area had expanded to 400,000 acres, with a production of 500,000 tons and a production value of 2.75 billion RMB. Compared to 2010, the planting area, output, and production value increased by 77.8%, 117.4%, and 439.2%, respectively. There was one town with more than 100,000 acres of apple cultivation, six towns with more than 20,000 acres, and 120,000 apple farmers. Over 50,000 households earned more than 10,000 RMB from apples, with each apple-growing household increasing their income by 1,680 RMB. This has effectively helped 300,000 apple farmers escape poverty and become prosperous.

By 2018, Zhaotong apples had grown from the initial 100 seedlings to 450,000 acres of planting area, producing 600,000 tons of apples, with a total output value of 5.7 billion RMB. There were 120,000 apple farmers in the city, and 300,000 people benefitted from the apple industry. In addition, more than 20 enterprises had concentrated land leasing of over 50,000 acres and established more than 20 standardized demonstration apple orchards and estates.

In 2023, the planting area of Zhaotong apples remained stable at over 850,000 acres, with a total output of 1.1 million tons and a comprehensive output value of 13 billion RMB. The apple industry covered 138,000 apple farmers, employing 527,000 people.

By 2024, Zhaotong apples achieved an output of 1.3 million tons with a total output value of 15 billion RMB.

Product Honors

Zhaotong apples have won the title of “High-Quality Fruit of Yunnan Province” and a silver medal at the second National Agricultural Expo.

In 1989, Zhaotong was listed by the Ministry of Agriculture as a high-quality apple production base in southern China.

In 1996, Zhaotong was designated by Yunnan Province as a provincial high-quality apple production base.

On November 15, 2010, the Ministry of Agriculture of the People’s Republic of China approved the implementation of geographical indication protection for “Zhaotong Apple.”

On November 15, 2019, Zhaotong apples were included in the China Agricultural Brand Directory.

On December 22, 2021, the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs’ Agricultural Product Quality Safety Center announced that Zhaotong apples were included in the “2021 Third Batch National Famous and Special Agricultural Products Directory.”

In October 2022, Zhaotong apples were selected for the 2022 Agricultural Brand Premium Cultivation Plan.

On August 9, 2023, the China Geographical Marking Festival Organizing Committee, in collaboration with “Brand Observation” magazine, published the “National Geographical Indication Apple Brand Value Ranking.” Zhaotong apples ranked third with a brand value of 22.673 billion RMB, among 27 apple brands nationwide.

Geographic Indication

Area of Protection

The main production area for Zhaotong Apples (昭通苹果) is concentrated in the 11 towns and villages of Zhaoyang District, including Longquan (龙泉), Yongfeng (永丰), Taiping (太平), Xiaolongdong (小龙洞), Jiupu (旧圃), Beizha (北闸), Leju (乐居), Sujiayuan (苏家院), Sayu (洒渔), Shouwang (守望), and Bugga (布嘎). The defined boundaries are: Eastern Longitude 103°08′36″—103°56′17″, and Northern Latitude 27°07′03″—27°39′14″.

Quality and Technical Requirements

1. Orchard Establishment

(1) Variety Selection

The primary varieties selected based on market demand and local natural conditions are Red Fuji (红富士) and Zhaojin (昭锦, also known as 108).

(2) Seedling Selection

For planting, dwarfing rootstocks like the Chinese hickory and hawthorn (楸子, 怀菜海棠) are used as intermediate dwarfing rootstocks, such as M26, M7, and MM106, as well as standard-sized, non-toxic seedlings. Both types of seedlings must meet the national first-class standards for apple seedlings.

(3) Planting Density

For dwarf orchards, the planting distance is 3×3.5 meters; for standard orchards, the distance is 3.5×4.5 meters. Planting is primarily done in autumn, from mid-September to early October.

(4) Planting Techniques

Planting holes of 1 cubic meter are dug. The bottom layer is filled with straw and other organic materials. 25-30 kg of well-rotted organic fertilizer is placed in the middle of the hole, followed by a layer of topsoil. After watering to settle the soil, the seedlings are placed in the hole. The seedlings are pruned, soaked, and dipped in mud. The depth of planting for dwarfing intermediate rootstocks is such that two-thirds or the entire rootstock should be buried. For standard trees, the soil mark from the nursery should be level with the ground.

(5) Post-planting Management

After planting, the main stem should be defined. Autumn-planted seedlings are buried before the ground freezes. In the spring, after the soil thaws, the covering soil is removed, and the seedlings are carefully straightened and firmed.

2. Cultivation Management Techniques

(1) Soil, Fertilizer, and Water Management

• Soil Preparation: This involves both expanding the planting holes and deep tilling the entire orchard. The soil is mixed with organic fertilizers, and water is added to ensure that roots are in close contact with the soil.

• Middle Cultivation: This is done after rain or irrigation to keep the soil loose, usually 4 times per year. In the rainy season, ridges should be leveled, and weeds can be controlled.

• Fertilization:

  • Base Fertilization: Organic fertilizer is the primary source, with small amounts of quick-release nitrogen and phosphate fertilizers. Fertilization is based on a standard of applying 1.5-2.0 kg of high-quality organic fertilizer for every kilogram of apple produced.

  • Top Dressing: The top dressing follows the principles of appropriate amount, shallow application, and uniform distribution. The two main periods for fertilization are after soil thawing and before flowering and after fruit enlargement.

  • Foliar Fertilization: This occurs 2-3 times annually, mainly for supplying phosphorus, potassium, calcium, magnesium, and trace elements such as boron, iron, and manganese.

(2) Water Management

Watering is based on the water requirements of apple trees. The orchards in Zhaoyang (昭阳) should be watered 2-3 times annually, particularly during the budding, young fruit enlargement, and post-harvest periods. Watering should ensure the soil is uniformly moist around the root zone.

(3) Shaping and Pruning

Standard tree shapes for orchards with less than 56 trees per mu (亩) should use the “improved spindle” model, where the central stem is 70–80 cm high, and the tree height is around 3.5 meters, with the crown spread being 3/4 of the row distance. For orchards with more than 64 trees per mu, a “tall spindle” shape is recommended.

3. Flower and Fruit Management

Production Targets:

The target for single-tree production is 30–45 kg, with an average fruit weight of over 250 grams. The fruit shape index should be 0.88, and over 70% of the fruit should be fully red. The soluble solid content is around 16%.

Pollination and Fruit Set:

• Apples, like most varieties, have low self-pollination rates. Therefore, cross-pollinating varieties with strong pollen production should be selected, and beekeeping is encouraged. During the flowering period, spraying a 3% borax solution along with 0.1% urea and 1% sucrose can enhance fruit set.

Pruning Techniques:

• Spring Pruning (March to early April): This includes the removal of excess buds, thinning out weak flower shoots, and pruning long fruit-bearing branches.

• Summer Pruning (May–July): This includes removing growing tips, twisting new shoots, and using branch shaping to control excess growth and improve flowering.

• Autumn Pruning (August–September): The focus is on managing tree height and removing weak or redundant branches to ensure proper light exposure and air circulation.

• Winter Pruning (January–February): Low branches are removed, and the crown is adjusted to maintain desired tree shape.

Zhaotong Red Apple (昭通苹果) is a high-quality fruit that is well-suited for the growing conditions of Zhaoyang (昭阳) and surrounding areas. The technical management and cultivation practices, from tree planting to fruit management, ensure that the apples meet the highest standards for taste, quality, and appearance.