Research On The Spread Of Tomato And Its Influence In China

Along with foreign exchanges frequently, America crops spread to China unceasingly during the period of Ming and Qing Dynasties. The introduction, cultivation and development of America crops are the significant historical activities in the process of social and economic development. These introductions have greatly enriched species and have great influence on the structure of agriculture and diet. There are many researches on introduction and dissemination of America crops, but most focus on grain crops, not vegetable crops.The paper takes the spread of tomato in China as object from Ming and Qing Dynasties to contemporary. Based on adequate historical data, it discusses the time, lines of introduction of tomato into China and describes introduction and expansion in hundreds of years, by employing the disciplines and methods of literature, history, sociology and statistics and so on. Through horizontal vertical comparisons and historical comparison, this paper summarizes and analyzes the motivation of tomato expansion, then points out its influences on China after introduction.After clarifying the centers of tomato origin and worldwide spread in Chapter I, the paper focuses on the time and routes of introduction of tomato into China. Tomato was introduced into China during the period of Wan-Li of Ming Dynasty or so. Based on previous researches, three routes of tomato introduction to China are concluded. Then point out that it is not possible for tomato spreading to China through the Silk Road by land. Tomato was initially introduced into China by two routes through seaway, and Guangdong should be one of the earliest landings. Another way is from Holland to Taiwan. Another is from Russia to China. Afterwards tomato is introduced from abroad through various channels for many times.Chapter II is a study about the omni-directional description of the tomato introduction and expansion. There is a record during Ming Dynasty in Shanxi, Guizhou and Yunnan. Then tomato spread to Fujian, Taiwan and Shanxi, Shandong, Hebei, Shanxi of the North China at the beginning of Qing Dynasty. Later extends to Yunnan, Hunan, Jiangsu, Zhejiang and so on. During the period of the Republic of China, it spreads even wider, but tomato cultivation is mainly concentrated in the suburbs of big city. Afterwards, tomato becomes one of important nationwide vegetables in China. At present, China has become one of the main countries of tomato production in the world.Based on the analysis of historical data in the first two chapters, causes for tomato introduction and expansion are analyzed in Chapter III, including natural ecological factors, economic factors, technology factors, diet cultural and other social factors. Chapter IV analyzed the influence after the introduction of tomato into China, from the aspects of the economic, agricultural planting structure, the diet structure and scientific research and so on.The spread of tomato is a result of human activities, but its velocity and range are restricted by both natural and human factors. And it has great effect on human being. With further spread of tomato, Tomato industry has been developing rapidly, it would have great significance and affection in Chinese economic and social life.