Development of the Horticultural Industry and Horticultural Science and Technology in China

摘要

China is a big country in horticulture. It has always enjoyed the reputation of being "China, Mother of Gardens". Horticultural produce are the main subsidiary foods consumed by the Chinese people. This large territory provides diversified and favourable conditions for the growth and multiplication of a wide range of horticultural crops. Rich germplasm resources, together with 6,000 years of history in cultivation have laid the foundation for the development of modern horticulture in China. Over thelast 20 years, both the horticultural industry and horticultural science and technology have undergone unprecedented development in China. The Chinese horticultural industry is developing. In 2003, the total area of horticultural crops grown was 31.382 million hectares (ha), of which vegetables occupied 20.308 million ha (almost 65%) with a total production of 610 million metric tonnes (MMT). The total orchard area reached 7.552 million ha with a total production of 75.515 MMT Even the total area of teaplantations reached 1.207 million ha. These figures rank first in the World, and the total production of tea reached 0.768 MMT achieving second place in the World. Flower production covered 0.430 million ha, with a total market value of US 4.3 billion dollar.