Heilongjiang

Heilongjiang, in northeastern China, is one of the country’s important potatoes growing regions and forms part of the northern single cropping potato zone. Its high latitude, long summer days and cool growing season provide conditions well suited to potato production, particularly for cultivars adapted to short growing seasons. The province’s climate is strongly continental, with very cold winters and comparatively warm summers. Potato production is concentrated in areas where the growing season temperature, sunlight and soil resources support tuber development. Research using long-term meteorological data has identified substantial climatic potential for potato production across the province, with the southern Songnen Plain and areas around Mudanjiang among the zones showing relatively favourable productivity conditions.

Potatoes are grown both for fresh consumption and as a source of seed and processing raw material. Heilongjiang has particular importance in potato breeding and seed potato development, supported by institutions such as the Potato Research Institute of the Heilongjiang Academy of Agricultural Sciences. The province’s breeding programmes have produced the long-running Kexin series and other cultivars selected for yield, disease resistance, adaptation and processing characteristics. Historical production research also shows that Heilongjiang has been an important source of potato germplasm and breeding material for northern China.

The province’s potato sector benefits from its extensive agricultural land base and relatively cool growing environment, but production is also shaped by its short frost-free period and severe winter conditions. Crop development therefore depends on appropriate variety selection and timely planting and harvesting. Climate studies indicate that potato productivity varies considerably within Heilongjiang, with climatic and yield potential generally differing between the northern, central and southern parts of the province. The western Songnen Plain has been identified as an area with considerable potential for increasing potato yield per unit area, while changes in temperature and precipitation can affect production differently across the province.

Potato cultivation in Heilongjiang developed from the use of introduced cultivars and locally maintained planting material before becoming increasingly supported by organized agricultural research. Historical records from the province show that potato varieties were being introduced and tested during the early and mid-20^th century. During the 1950s, the Keshan Agricultural Experiment Station evaluated numerous introduced cultivars and also began selecting material through crosses. Local records subsequently document the introduction and cultivation of varieties such as Duozibai, Imka, Boyou 2 and Deyou 1, while locally maintained types were also grown in different parts of the province.

A major development occurred from the 1960s onward, when Heilongjiang breeders moved increasingly from introduction and selection toward systematic hybrid breeding. The Keshan programme developed Kexin 1, Kexin 2, Kexin 3 and later members of the Kexin series, while Northeast Agricultural University and other institutions developed additional cultivars. Kexin 1, derived from the cross 374-128 × Epoka, became particularly influential because of its adaptation, yield and disease resistance and was subsequently grown widely beyond Heilongjiang. Later breeding programmes expanded toward virus resistance, high starch content and processing quality. Heilongjiang also became important in the development of virus-free seed potato production: research during the 1980s established systems for producing disease free mini-tubers and successive seed classes, helping reduce yield losses associated with seed degeneration.