Skip to main content

Advertisement

Springer Nature Link
Log in

Lac host-trees and the balance of agroecosystems in south Yunnan, China

  • Published:
Economic Botany Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

The importance of spontaneous lac host-trees for preserving the fragile agroecosystem of the main lac producing areas of China, located in the tropical part of Yunnan province, is analyzed. In upland fields, the fire-resistant vegetation consists mainly of these trees. Farmers deliberately preserve young sprouts during the cultivation cycle. This benefits both soil fertility and lac production. Host-trees, mainly Dalbergia and Ficus, form a range of multipurpose trees which although limited to some ten species allows maximum use of the heterogeneities of the village territory. Finally, lac host-trees are associated with some environmental values important to farmers. This circumstance contributes to the sustainability of lac host-tree agroforestry in spite of current problems in the lac market.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Subscribe and save

Springer+ Basic
$34.99 /Month
  • Get 10 units per month
  • Download Article/Chapter or eBook
  • 1 Unit = 1 Article or 1 Chapter
  • Cancel anytime
Subscribe now

Buy Now

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Similar content being viewed by others

Explore related subjects

Discover the latest articles and news from researchers in related subjects, suggested using machine learning.

Literature Cited

  • Chen, Y. D., and K. W. Hou. 1980. A lac host-tree of high quality: ecobiological specificities of Dalbergia obtusifolia. Guangxi Plants 1980(1): 12–15 (in Chinese).

    Google Scholar 

  • China Tree Flora. 1981. Plantation techniques for China’s main tree species. China Forestry Press, Beijing (in Chinese).

    Google Scholar 

  • Conway, G. R. 1985. Agricultural ecology and farming systems research. Pages 43–59in J. V. Remenyi, ed., Agricultural systems research for developing countries. Proceedings of an international workshop, Hawkesbury Agricultural College, 12-15 May 1985. ACIAR proceedings 11.

  • Dobremez, J. F. 1972. Carte ecologique du Népal (Nepal ecological map).III: région Kathmandou— Everest. 1/25 000. CNRS, Paris.

    Google Scholar 

  • Du Yuting 1985. Brief history of the Jinuo. Yunnan People Press, Kunming (in Chinese).

    Google Scholar 

  • Duan, X. 1991. Analysis of lac market prospects. Yunnan Forestry Science and Technology 1991(1): 52–54 (in Chinese).

    Google Scholar 

  • Gokulpure, R. S., B. P. Mehra, and T. P. S. Teotia. 1980. The bibliography of lac entomology. Indian Lac Research Institute, Namkum.

    Google Scholar 

  • Hou, K. W., Y. D. Chen, and Y. P. Chen. 1985. On the vegetation condition of the best growing region of lac insect in Yunnan. Acta Botanica Sinica 7(1): 17–24 (in Chinese).

    Google Scholar 

  • Li, C. R., ed. 1987. The population atlas of China. Oxford University Press.

  • MacDicken, K. G., and J. B. Raintree. 1991. An overview of multipurpose tree species. Pages 5–16in D. A. Taylor and K. G. MacDicken, eds., Research on multipurpose tree species in Asia. Proceedings of an international workshop, November 19-23, 1990, Los Banos, Philippines. Winrock International, Bangkok.

    Google Scholar 

  • Mao, Y. Q. 1991. Changes in the traditional lifestyle of the Hani people. Research on Ethnic Groups 1991(6):39–15 (in Chinese).

    Google Scholar 

  • Ministry of Agriculture. 1990. China agricultural yearbook 1989. Agricultural Press, Beijing.

    Google Scholar 

  • Ou, B. R. 1973. Host plants of lac insect. Agricultural Press, Beijing (in Chinese).

    Google Scholar 

  • —,and G. J. Hong. 1984. Lac insect. Pages 174–214in Zhou Guokai et al., eds., Insects as natural resources. Scientific Press, Beijing (in Chinese).

    Google Scholar 

  • —,and —. 1990. Description of anew species of Kerria in Yunnan province. Entomotaxonomia 12(1):15–18.

    Google Scholar 

  • —,and —,X. C. Yang, Y. D. Wang, and T. S. Liao. 1984. Studies on the biology of lac insect. Acta Entomologica Sinica 27(1):70–80 (in Chinese).

    Google Scholar 

  • Saha, S. K. 1976. Lac industry in India. Indian Farming 27(8):5–8.

    Google Scholar 

  • Sohan, L., R. Moti, B. P. Singh, and S. C. Shrivastava. 1976. Bhalia, a versatile lac host plant. Indian Farming 27(8):9–11.

    Google Scholar 

  • Varshney, R. K. 1986. A report on the valid names of host plants of Indian lac insects. Indian Journal of Forestry 9(2): 116–122.

    Google Scholar 

  • Wu, Z. Q., ed. 1988. Comprehensive agricultural regional plan of Mojiang county. Yunnan Survey Bureau Press, Kunming (in Chinese).

    Google Scholar 

  • Yin, S. T. 1988. Ethnoecology of shifting cultivation of the Jinuo people. Agricultural Archeology 1988(l):318–334 and 1988(2):390–408 (in Chinese).

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Laboratory of Tropical Botany, URA 327, University of Montpellier, 163 rue A. Broussonet, 34000, Montpellier, France

    Claude Saint-Pierre

  2. Research Institute of Resource Insects, Chinese Academy of Forestry, Kunming, P.R., 650216, Renmindonglu, Wangdaqiao, China

    Ou Bingrong

Authors
  1. Claude Saint-Pierre
    View author publications

    Search author on:PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Ou Bingrong
    View author publications

    Search author on:PubMed Google Scholar

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Saint-Pierre, C., Bingrong, O. Lac host-trees and the balance of agroecosystems in south Yunnan, China. Econ Bot 48, 21–28 (1994). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02901376

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02901376

Key Words