Preface

Ningxia Eastern Helan Piedmont is the internationally and domestically recognized golden belt optimum to plant premium wine grapes,one of the great producing area to produce premium wine in the world,also one of three wine grape origin protected areas in China. Scientific management is the key to produce the best grapes under super excellent conditions.In May 2011，under the support of Ningxia Finance Department and Asian Development Bank,integrated with the ADB Loan Ningxia Integrated Ecosystem and Agriculture Development Project,Dr.Damian John Martin,the International Consultant on wine industry engaged by the ADB,prepared this Grower Handbook for the Production of Premium Wine Grapes in Eastern Helan Piedmont of Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region on the basis of the investigation of grapes planted by Ningxia Agricultural Reclamation in and around Eastern Helan Piedmont.

The purpose of this Handbook is to provide vineyard technical staff and managers with guidelines for vineyard management in Ningxia Eastern Helan Piedmont producing area. The Handbook will target key areas that are especially important for grape quality management in Ningxia rather than all aspects of viticulture in a comprehensive way as there are many other excellent text books that perform this function.

This Handbook is very simplified with pictorial guide to grape growing and vineyard management for Ningxia growers with lucidly scientific practicability,through systematical introduction of detailed practices and brief principals of the vineyard and grape management in eight aspects,including young vine training,winter pruning,spring management,summer vine training,protection of the vineyard,vineyard irrigation,fertilization,and harvest management；will also be used for grower training.

The Handbook is translated by National Consultant Dr. Zhang Junxiang and Ms.Guo Huiping,Deputy Manager General of Xixia King Industry Company,prefaced by Mr.Hao Linhai,Chairman of the International Association of Ningxia Eastern Helan Piedmont Grape and Wine,assisted by Foreign Debt Office of Ningxia Finance Department,and funded by the ADB for publishing；and sincere thanks to all the above.

If any improper appears during the preparation of the Handbook,please be free to correct.