In early summer, a busy scene unfolds in the 30-mu "Jin Huanghou" (Golden Empress) corn experimental field in Yanjiawan Village, Donghenan Town, Lingqiu County, Shanxi Province. Villagers are bent over, clearing weeds from the field borders, while others nearby scatter seeds of Cnidium monnieri (she chuang zi) as part of a biological weed control strategy. Expansive plots are covered with silver plastic mulch to retain moisture for the corn seedlings and stabilize the crop's root systems.
"Jin Huanghou" is a traditional local corn variety in Lingqiu County, first cultivated locally in the 1960s and considered a local "classic." The corn it produces is known for its plump, golden-yellow kernels that become sweet and fragrant when cooked, leaving a lasting impression on those who taste it. However, due to limitations in yield, local farmers had long ceased planting this variety. This year, Yanjiawan Village has planned a contiguous experimental field to reintroduce the cultivation of "Jin Huanghou" corn, relying on standardized and precise planting techniques to improve upon the traditional variety's shortcomings.
According to Guo Kaimin, the village Party branch secretary, the experimental field is relatively isolated geographically, providing natural conditions that help block external pollen. This helps maintain the genetic purity of the "Jin Huanghou" corn seed source, preventing cross-pollination and varietal degradation.
It is understood that Yanjiawan Village has implemented multiple measures to ensure the quality of the experimental field's cultivation. Workers manually select corn seeds and soak them in enzymes to activate their growth potential. Mechanized irrigation equipment is used in the field to enhance irrigation efficiency. Throughout the entire planting process, chemical fertilizers and herbicides are prohibited; instead, fully decomposed farmyard manure is uniformly applied as base fertilizer. The scattered Cnidium monnieri in the fields naturally suppresses weed growth, establishing an ecological weed management model.
Although this cultivation method is labor-intensive, the villagers believe it is worthwhile. Villager Yuan Zhengcai, who participates in the field work and oversees the corn's maintenance, stated, "'Jin Huanghou' tastes good, and green farming methods give us more peace of mind."
Guo Kaimin noted that Yanjiawan Village has restarted large-scale trial planting of "Jin Huanghou" corn after several decades. Upon successful trial cultivation, the village plans to preserve high-quality seed sources and develop deep-processing ventures for corn products such as wire-cut noodles and corn grits. This initiative aims to extend the local coarse grain industry chain and cultivate a new pillar for rural industry based on the cultivation of heritage varieties. In his view, these 30 mu are not just an experimental plot; they could be the key to unlocking the industrial potential of traditional crop varieties.