From "Space Pepper" to "Prosperity Pepper": The Comeback Story of Zhangshugang Chili

From "Space Pepper" to "Prosperity Pepper": The Comeback Story of Zhangshugang ChiliHunan Province, known as the "Home of Chili," boasts a wealth of chili germplasm resources. Among them, the Zhangshugang chili from Zhangshu Town, Xiangyin County, is particularly renowned

From "Space Pepper" to "Prosperity Pepper": The Comeback Story of Zhangshugang Chili

Hunan Province, known as the "Home of Chili," boasts a wealth of chili germplasm resources. Among them, the Zhangshugang chili from Zhangshu Town, Xiangyin County, is particularly renowned. This chili, known as the "Herms of Chili" for its unique flavor, has always faced a production bottleneck, hindering its development. In recent years, a research team from Hunan Agricultural University, focusing on the Zhangshugang chili, has successfully created the "Zhangshugang Flavor" chili through technological innovation, variety improvement, and market expansion. This achievement has pushed the product into the national market, achieving a win-win situation for the protection of geographical indication (GI) agricultural products and industrial development.

"Chili Academician" Leads Technological Breakthrough: Protecting the "Herms of Chili"

The Zhangshugang chili has a long history, and its unique flavor is cherished by local residents. However, limited by GI protection regulations and its inherent growing habits, its planting area and yield have always been constrained. In 2021, to tackle the challenges of protecting and developing the Zhangshugang chili, Zou Xuexiao, the "Chili Academician" from Hunan Agricultural University, and his team, collaborating with Yangquehu Company, the designated manager of the Zhangshugang chili GI, established the nation's first Chili Science and Technology Courtyard.

The establishment of the Chili Science and Technology Courtyard marks a new chapter in the protection and development of the Zhangshugang chili. Team members have dedicated themselves to research, exploring methods to increase yield, extend the growing season, and enhance disease resistance through purification, rejuvenation, and new variety breeding.

"Heavenly Pepper" Embarks on a Space Journey: Seeking Superior Mutations

To further enhance the quality of the Zhangshugang chili, the team sent chili seeds into space aboard the Shenzhou XIV manned spacecraft for a space-induced mutation breeding experiment. This space mission aimed to investigate whether space radiation could induce superior mutations in the Zhangshugang chili.

"We are tracking whether space radiation has brought about superior mutations in this batch of 'heavenly peppers,'" said Liu Zhoubin, a postdoctoral fellow at Hunan Agricultural University. He hopes that space-induced mutation breeding will lead to the development of even better Zhangshugang chili varieties.

The "Herms of Chili" Is No Longer a "Limited Edition": The Rise of Zhangshugang Flavor Chili

In addition to space breeding, the team is also working to develop entirely new varieties that retain the flavor of the Zhangshugang chili while boasting high yield, excellent disease resistance, and heat tolerance.

"Many people remember that the '' (unripe chili tender fruit) is the most delicious," said Liu Zhoubin. This tender fruit has a unique aroma and tender texture. Through long-term research, the team discovered that the growth and consumption characteristics of the Zhangshugang chili closely resemble those of this flavorful '' (pointed pepper tender fruit).

Based on this observation, the team used the Zhangshugang chili for crossbreeding, and after more than a decade of effort, they cultivated eight "Zhangshugang Flavor" varieties suitable for various cultivation models, including Xiangyan 55, Soft Skin 2307, and Longfu Pepper.

From "Chili for Stir-Frying Meat" to "Prosperity Pepper": Zhangshugang Flavor Chili Enters the National Market

To enhance the recognizability of "Zhangshugang Flavor" chili, the team crafted the concept of "Chili for Stir-Frying Meat." This concept not only facilitated the promotion of new chili varieties but also allowed more people to savor the unique flavor of the Zhangshugang chili.

L Qiang, a young man from Guangxi Province, driven by his passion for the Zhangshugang chili, has leveraged the Pinduoduo platform to sell seasonal Zhangshugang chili, as well as Longfu Pepper, Stir-Fry Chili, and other "Zhangshugang Flavor" varieties, successfully introducing the "Zhangshugang Flavor" chili to the national market.

Technological Innovation Fuels Industrial Development: Shaping the Future of "Zhangshugang Flavor" Chili

Today, the Zhangshugang chili's planting area is expanding, its yield is significantly increasing, and its price is becoming more stable. Yangquehu Company has established planting bases in Xiong'an New District, Hebei Province; Le'an, Jiangxi Province; Beihai, Guangxi Province; Guiyang, Guizhou Province; and Dongfang, Hainan Province, achieving a nationwide deployment of "Zhangshugang Flavor" chili.

Driven by technological innovation and guided by market demand, the story of the Zhangshugang chili offers a successful model for the protection and development of GI agricultural products. In the future, the team will continue to delve deeper into research, relentlessly improving the quality and yield of "Zhangshugang Flavor" chili, ensuring that more people can enjoy this unique Hunan delicacy.

Conclusion

The successful comeback of the Zhangshugang chili is a testament to the perfect integration of technological innovation, variety improvement, and market expansion, offering a new perspective for protecting and developing GI agricultural products. Through technological innovation, the team has broken free from the constraints of traditional planting patterns, enhancing chili yield and quality; through variety improvement, the team has cultivated new varieties that retain the flavor of the Zhangshugang chili, catering to the needs of different regions and consumers; and through market expansion, the team has brought "Zhangshugang Flavor" chili to the national market, maximizing brand benefits.

The success of the Zhangshugang chili is a valuable lesson for other regions to learn from and adapt, providing insights for promoting the protection and development of local specialty agricultural products. With the support of technological innovation, more GI agricultural products like the Zhangshugang chili are expected to reach broader markets, achieving brand value enhancement and increased farmer income.

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