Watermelon belongs to Cucurbitaceae and is one of the top ten fruits in the world. Originated in kalahari desert, Africa, it was introduced into northwest China via the Silk Road. The word watermelon was first seen in the History of the New Five Dynasties written by Ouyang Xiu in the Song Dynasty (appendix to the Four Changes). 1000 years ago, it was planted in Hebei Province and then introduced to Beijing. Daxing is a famous watermelon producing area and distribution center. About 400 years ago, during the Wanli period of the Ming Dynasty, Daxing watermelon was recorded as a tribute.
Daxing is located in the southeast suburb of Beijing, east of Yongding River. To the south of Tiangongyuan Village in Beizang Village, 10 Township, represented by panggezhuang, mainly produces watermelons. The area is located in the flood plain and alluvial plain, mostly sandy soil. The optimum temperature for the creeping stage, flowering stage and fruit-setting stage of watermelon from May to July is between 18-35℃, while the monthly average temperature here is 20-26℃ and the extreme maximum temperature is above 35℃. In the middle and late June, the water demand of watermelon accounts for about 47% of the total water demand. At this time, monsoon rains have come to this area. Coupled with the large temperature difference between day and night, the daily temperature difference in watermelon growing season can reach more than 10℃, where not only natural conditions are conducive to watermelon growth, but also agricultural technicians and thousands of melon planting experts have rich technical experience. Watermelon essence produced is famous for its sand, sweetness and crispness, and enjoys a high reputation in Beijing and Tianjin. During the annual Watermelon Festival in Daxing District, melon farmers in various towns competed in the arena, attracting many Chinese and foreign guests.
Watermelon, known as the king of melons and fruits in summer, can not only relieve summer heat and thirst, but also has medicinal functions such as diuresis and diarrhea, laryngitis and alcoholism. Chinese medicine also studies the treatment of nephritis, edema, diabetes, jaundice and hypertension with watermelon.
By adopting technical measures such as plastic film mulching, Daxing watermelon has achieved the annual listing, and the yield and quality have been greatly improved. The market volume of Daxing watermelon accounts for more than 50% of the city's market volume. Xin Jing 1 is a watermelon inbred line provided by Beijing Academy of Agriculture and Forestry, which is the main watermelon variety in Daxing District. After three years of local trial planting, it has won the first prize of Beijing Watermelon Appraisal Association for many times since 1986. According to the identification, the yield per mu of Xin Jing 1 watermelon can reach 3500-5000 kg. It is characterized by smooth appearance, round fruit shape and obvious dark green snake pattern of 16- 17 on light green background. The skin is thin and tough, the flesh is bright red and soft, the flesh is crisp and sandy, there is little fiber, there is no cavity, and the flesh does not fall off. The weight of single melon is 4-5 kg, and the sugar content can reach 10- 13%. Sweet taste, good quality, belonging to high-grade varieties. Extensive cultivation, high fruit setting rate, suitable for traditional cultivation in Beijing and high commodity value.
According to the Request for Instructions on Delineating the Protected Area of Daxing Watermelon Geographical Indication Products in Daxing District of Beijing (Jingxing Zheng Wen [2006] 10), the protection scope of Daxing Watermelon Geographical Indication Products is the administrative area of six towns in Daxing District of Beijing, including Panggezhuang Town, Beizang Village, Lixian Town, Yufa Town, Weishanzhuang Town and Anding Town.