A scientist who grows more than just tangerines

Amidst the misty hills of western Huangyan, the fragrance of freshly pruned tangerine branches drifts through the crisp March air. TIAN Shengke inhales deeply. “It’s another hopeful spring,” he says, surveying the lush groves that now also serve as his open-air laboratory.  

A researcher, tenured associate professor, and Ph.D. advisor at Zhejiang University’s College of Environmental and Resource Sciences, Tian has taken his work beyond the borders of academia — straight into the soil. His “laboratory in the fields” has not only revolutionized citrus farming techniques but also transformed the economic fortunes of the local community. Since he arrived, village revenues have nearly tripled compared to seven years ago.

Tian’s journey from scientist to farmer-scientist was anything but conventional. In 2014, after completing his postdoctoral research in the United States, Tian returned to Zhejiang University to teach. By 2017, deeply immersed in soil research, he found himself restless. Research papers and lab results weren’t enough — he wanted to test his findings in the real world. That’s when he turned to farming.

After a year of field research, his focus settled on Huangyan, known as the “land of tangerines.” The timing was perfect: the local government had just launched a revitalization plan for the region’s signature fruit. At 39, he leased over 200 acres of land in Linggen Village and set up shop in the mountainous terrain of Huangyan.

“Unlike working in a lab surrounded by data, rooting myself in rural life has expanded my circle of friends,” Tian says. From large-scale farmers and seedling suppliers to agricultural material manufacturers, he has built a network that bridges research and real-world application. His approach follows a “field-lab-field” cycle, where problems identified in orchards lead to lab-driven solutions that are then tested back in the field — a seamless integration of science and practice.

The first two years were committed to laying the foundation: introducing high-yield tangerine varieties, constructing core greenhouses, and, crucially, improving the soil. “The first step in farming isn’t planting; it’s building healthy soil,” Tian explains. He developed innovative methods to enrich the land, using organic matter like sugarcane bagasse, rapeseed meal, and coconut coir to enhance soil fertility in Huangyan’s naturally thin and nutrient-poor terrain.

Tian is not just growing tangerines; he’s redefining how they’re grown. Beyond soil improvement, optimizing nutrient absorption is key to enhancing fruit quality. Through long-term scientific experiments, he developed an in-situ nutrient analysis method for tangerine trees, deciphering the relationship between nutrient regulation and fruit quality. This research enables precise nutrient management for tangerine cultivation.

One of his more unconventional methods involves hanging supplemental lights on fruit-bearing trees and covering the ground with reflective white film. “Light improves fruit coloration and increases sugar content,” he explains, a claim backed by rigorous studies on leaf efficiency and photosynthesis.

The farm is also a model of agricultural modernization. Tian, once a leading expert in heavy metal soil remediation, saw the potential in merging agronomy with technology. By integrating smart irrigation, precision fertilization, and IoT-based monitoring systems, he has significantly improved water and nutrient efficiency. “Even when I’m in Hangzhou teaching a class, I can pull out my phone and adjust the greenhouse’s ventilation, shading, or irrigation,” he shares. What was once a labor-intensive industry is now a digitized, precision-driven enterprise.

For Tian, research isn’t just about publishing papers, but it’s also about making a tangible impact. He shares his knowledge freely with local farmers, helping them transition from traditional, weather-dependent methods to modern, science-backed techniques. “We’re moving from ‘farming by luck’ to ‘farming by science,’” he says. Villagers who once relied on trial-and-error are now trained in organic soil enrichment and microbial fertilizer application.

His tangerine innovation base has already improved the livelihoods of over 50 low-income villagers. He also spearheaded the establishment of Ningxi Town Premium Tangerine Innovation Association, which has driven Huangyan’s tangerine industry toward high-end production. The town has since added more than ten new high-quality tangerine farms, covering over 2,300 acres and creating 650 new jobs.

Tian’s mission extends beyond tangerines. His team at the Huangyan Tangerine Science and Technology Park is constantly exploring ways to integrate environmental protection with sustainable, high-value agriculture. Faced with unexpected frost damage, they developed retractable double-layer greenhouses to regulate temperature. If water conservation is an issue, they work on eco-friendly irrigation solutions.

His research has gained international recognition, with findings published in Plant Physiology, Environmental Science & Technology, and Plant Cell & Environment. But Tian is not stopping there. “We’re now looking to expand into medicinal herbs and watermelon farming,” he says, explaining that his team is currently conducting studies in Yunnan Province.

People call him “the scientist growing in the fields.” But for Tian, the real challenge isn’t just cultivating crops; it’s planting the roots of prosperity deep into Huangyan’s soil and pushing the boundaries of smart agriculture.

Adapted and translated from the article by JU Xinchen, OUYANG Yuxuan, JIN Lina
Translator: FANG Fumin
Photos by interviewees
Editor: ZHU Ziyu, TIAN Minjie