Study On Wheat Production And Influence In The Middle And Lower Reaches Of The Yellow River During The Ming And Qing Dynasty

Triticum aestivum,Gramineae,one-and-two-year-old herb,is the world’s most widely distributed and most cultivated area of grain crops.It is commonly known as wheat,which is flour after being separated and processed by grinding and edible processing can be made of noodles,steamed bread,cakes,etc.Wheat is one of the earliest cultivated and the most important cereal resources in the world,and it is also a major crop in modern agriculture with the highest cultivation area in the world,and its output is the second only to rice.Wheat is not only a major human food resource,but also an important industrial raw material.China is one of the largest wheat acreage and production countries in the world,accounting for about 1/6 of the world’s total.The middle and lower reaches of the Yellow River in China is a long-established wheat production area with the longest history of planting and has rich cultivation techniques and experience in processing and utilization.During the Ming and Qing Dynasties,wheat cultivation was widespread in the middle and lower reaches of the Yellow River.The cultivation techniques,processing and utilization technologies were sophisticated,and the farming culture was rich and varied.Wheat became an indispensable crop in people’s lives.This paper firstly discussed the geographical environment and socioeconomic factors of wheat cultivation in the middle and lower reaches of the Yellow River during the Ming and Qing Dynasties.It analyzes the natural factors of wheat widespread planting in the middle and lower reaches of the Yellow River from climatic conditions and water resources conditions,topographical features and soil selection.The drastic increase in the population of the Ming and Qing Dynasties,the sharp drop in per capital land area,the taxation of wheat and other factors prompted people to have a new understanding of the soil of wheat.These factors are the socioeconomic environment for the widespread planting of wheat in the Ming and Qing Dynasties.The records of wheat and other historical materials in the Ming and Qing Dynasties can reflect the regional conditions of wheat cultivation at that times to some extent.According to the records of wheat cultivation areas in the middle and lower reaches of the Yellow River in the Ming and Qing Dynasties,based on the records of agricultural books and local records,the use of geographic information systems for historical data collection,calculation,analysis and description of wheat cultivation in the middle and lower reaches of the Yellow River can be known.Wheat is grown throughout the middle and lower reaches of the Yellow River.Due to natural factors and social needs,the wheat planting densities vary and form the spatial distribution pattern of densely populated areas,sub-intensive areas and sparse areas.During the Ming and Qing Dynasties,wheat was planted in the middle and lower reaches of the Yellow River,and the cultivation techniques were mature.The technology of field preparation for wheat fields is advanced,and rigorous cultivation is strictly required to achieve the proper depth and soft soil.To guarantee the seed germination rate and the ability to resist cold,resist drought and resist pests,we should pay attention to breeding of wheat seeds and diversification of wheat varieties,and striving for the selection of the highest quality seeds.The timing of wheat planting varies from place to place,and there is a reasonable amount of time appropriate for local wheat planting.Then,seeding technology is more perfect and plant growth is good.The field management of wheat is more reasonable and the seeding,cultivators,bauxite,irrigation and etc work well and the wheat seeds grow well.Harvesting of wheat is like fire fighting.The timing of wheat harvest is slightly different due to natural and human factors.During the Ming and Qing Dynasties,more emphasis was placed on the importance of seasonal harvest of wheat.Localities adapted to local conditions and harvested wheat in due course.In the process of harvesting,the fine tradition of industriousness and economy is promoted,and it does not throw one ear or one grain.When it is time for strict management,we must quickly spread wheat and grind the wheat and win the wind to raise wheat.The entire labor process will be hard work and we must be careful,and we will strive not to leave out a grain of wheat.The requirements for the accumulation of wheat straw are also very strict.The wheat grain is extremely dry in the sun and it is stored in a container covered with ash.It can be stored for a long time when handled properly.At the same time,wheat is widely used with mature processing technology.And it has rich pasta culture with various pasta and different flour grades.Wheat is a major food crop in the middle and lower reaches of the Yellow River and an important source of taxation.Meanwhile,during the Ming and Qing Dynasties,a farming system was established in which multiple crop rotations were replanted and inter-cropping was inter-planted with wheat as the core.In the history and culture of wheat a rich variety of food cultures,noodles and festive folk customs,noodles and auspicious life are formed.Systematic research on wheat production in the middle and lower reaches of the Yellow River during the Ming and Qing Dynasties was helpful to understand more about the wheat cultivation in the middle and lower reaches of the Yellow River at that time.Moreover,it is also conducive to know more about the regional overview,wheat cultivation techniques,wheat processing and utilization,and wheat status and historical culture.