Abstract:

The paper aims to clarify the spatial distribution, pattern characteristics and system structure of the Mengzi pomegranate cultivation system, explore its historical evolution and potential heritage value, and demonstrate the conditions for the declaration of China-NIAHS (National Important Agricultural Heritage Systems). We conducted the study by using remote sensing images and GIS technology to analyze and identify the spatial distribution and pattern characteristics of the Mengzi pomegranate cultivation system, in combination with field investigations, interviews and literature reading. The Mengzi pomegranate cultivation system is an outstanding representative of modern agriculture with characteristics of the Yunnan plateau. In its long process of evolution, a relatively complete set of pomegranate high-yield cultivation techniques has been formed, which is mainly reflected in: (1) Mengzi has a history of cultivating pomegranates for more than 700 years, with an area of more than 8666 hm², it is one of the eight main pomegranate producing areas in China and enjoys the reputation of ‘Hometown of Pomegranate in China’; (2) the Mengzi pomegranate cultivation system has a ‘city and garden inter-embedding’ pattern on the landscape scale, with diversified cultivation modes, of which the traditional and ecological cultivation modes are the most valuable; (3) the Mengzi pomegranate cultivation system has many high-quality germplasm resources, forming ecological agricultural products with local characteristics, the ‘Tianlvzi’ pomegranate is well-known at home and abroad; (4) the Mengzi pomegranate cultivation system has important economic, ecological and cultural values. The Mengzi pomegranate cultivation system has the basic conditions for applying for China-NIAHS, and the study could provide scientific decision-making reference for Mengzi to build a modern agricultural demonstration zone with Yunnan plateau characteristics and achieve high-quality and sustainable development of the Mengzi pomegranate industry.

Key words: agricultural heritage, the Mengzi pomegranate cultivation system, structure, characteristics, characteristic agriculture