Abstract:

Based on production data of watermelon and melon in China from 2001 to 2022, this study analyzed the spatial evolution characteristics and key factors of watermelon and melon production in China using panel econometric models, the regional Gini coefficient and the spatial shift coefficient. The results indicated that:（1）watermelon production in China stayed relatively steady between 2001 and 2022, reaching about 6.00×10⁷t. Melon production had a steady upward trend, increasing by an average annual growth rate of 3.13% (P<0.01). Over the same time, watermelon and melon yields per unit area in China exhibited a consistent upward trend, with average annual growth rates of 1.50% and 2.37%, respectively (P<0.01).（2）The spatial concentration of melon production in China was higher than that of watermelon production, although the see−saw pattern of change was evident in the spatial concentration of melons and watermelons. The production center for watermelons moved 277.68km southwest from the area near Ningling county, Henan province, to the area near Lushan county, Henan province, and the production center for melons moved 623.38km southwest from the area near Hengshui city, Hebei province, to the area near Hancheng city, Shaanxi province.（3）Between 2001 and 2022, number of provincial regions with stable region for watermelons and melons gradually increased, reaching 6 and 9 respectively. The number of provincial regions with transfer−in region for watermelons and melons steadily declined, reaching 16 and 7, respectively. In China, the pattern of watermelon and melon production's spatial distribution has tended to stabilize.（4）Spatial evolution of watermelon and melon production was influenced by a number of significant elements, including sunshine hours, policy support, output value change, urbanization level, technological advancement, effective irrigation area and competition from similar crops. The future development of watermelon and melon industry in China will require further acceleration of related cultivation technology innovation and promotion, fortification of industry−related infrastructure construction, and improvement of the industry's resilience to risks.

Key words: Watermelon, Melon, Spatial shift coefficient, Regional Gini coefficient