"These are 'space seeds,' each with the potential to cultivate excellent varieties. We must carry out the breeding work meticulously." Recently, the sowing ceremony for aeronautical breeding materials was held at the experimental base of the Shannan Agricultural Science Institute in southwest China’s Xizang Autonomous Region.

Mimar Tsering, deputy director of the Shannan Agricultural Technology Extension Center and a senior agronomist, introduced that a total of five varieties, namely Shandong 7, Zangqing 2000, Shanqing 9, Shanyou 2, and 4, were carefully selected for this breeding project. This batch of highland barley seeds embarked on a 15-day "space mutagenesis" journey aboard China's first reusable returnable technology test satellite, Shijian-19. Exposed to the unique space environment of cosmic rays, microgravity, and high vacuum, their genetic sequences may undergo improvements, offering boundless possibilities for the subsequent selection and breeding of new varieties with stronger stress resistance and higher nutritional value.

"For this sowing task, we adopted a scientific zoned planting approach. The experimental fields were divided into three zones to sow different varieties of seeds separately. This zoned planting not only facilitates the observation of growth differences among various varieties under the same environmental conditions but also enables the screening of superior varieties suitable for local growing conditions through comparison, providing scientific basis and technical support for subsequent agricultural production," Mimar Tsering stated.

As one of the major highland barley-producing regions, Shannan City holds a significant position in the agricultural development of the entire region. However, traditional breeding methods have drawbacks such as long breeding cycles, heavy workloads, difficulty in creating new genes, restrictions imposed by parental lines, and complex phenotypic segregation. Under such a background, aeronautical breeding technology presents a golden opportunity for "overtaking on curves" in the improvement of plateau crops, driving qualitative agricultural development.

It is reported that the implementation of this aeronautical breeding and sowing project represents a significant exploration and innovative practice in Shannan City's agricultural sector, as well as a concrete action in response to the national seed industry revitalization strategy. By closely integrating aeronautical breeding, a cutting-edge technology, with agricultural production, it is hoped that new crop varieties with high yields, superior quality, and strong stress resistance can be cultivated, injecting impetus into safeguarding food security and promoting high-quality agricultural development in Shannan City.

Reporter:  Wu Peitao

Translator: Peng Qing, Zhi Xinghua

Review: Hu Rongguo, Drakpa Wangchen