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New discoveries in space-bred rice mark progress in space food security research

China

China

China

New discoveries in space-bred rice mark progress in space food security research

2024-11-03 15:52 Last Updated At:16:37

Recent discoveries comparing rice bred in space with those grown on the ground demonstrate the feasibility of space rice breeding and subsequent cultivation upon return to the Earth, marking a significant stride in advancing research on space food security, according to a researcher at the Chinese Academy of Sciences.

The researchers at the academy explained that 59 rice seeds bred in the space station represent the first generation, nearly 10,000 seeds bred in the artificial climate chamber constitute the second generation, and the seeds for the upcoming harvest in the farm fields are the third generation.

By conducting comparative studies between space-bred rice and ground-grown rice, researchers have made new discoveries.

Under microgravity conditions in space, rice seed embryos develop normally, capable of growing into vigorous offspring. Moreover, plants from the second-generation space-bred rice seeds exhibit significantly more tillers than their ground-grown counterparts. This experiment confirms the potential to cultivate robust rice seeds in space.

"We observed significant differences in growth between plants in space and on the ground, particularly in terms of plant structure. In space, the angle between the leaves becomes notably larger, unlike the more compact growth seen on the ground. The larger leaf angle has a significant impact on high-density plant cultivation, as it obstructs the leaves from effectively carrying out photosynthesis by shading each other, thereby greatly affecting their growth," said Zheng Huiqiong, a researcher with the Center for Excellence in Molecular Plant Sciences under the Chinese Academy of Sciences.

Researchers conducted further analysis of leaf angle differences using molecular biology techniques and identified key genes. Consequently, it will be possible to genetically modify space-bred plants through molecular pathways to adjust their leaf angles to resemble those bred on the ground, facilitating high-density planting.

Besides, researchers have also observed changes in the morphology of space-grown rice.

"These are also photos taken by the space camera, showing that most of the rice husks cannot close. On the ground, once the seeds are pollinated, they immediately close. However, in space, even when they mature, the rice husks cannot close. This is mainly due to the elongation of the outer husk compared to the inner husk, preventing closure. We are currently researching the molecular biology mechanisms behind this phenomenon," Zheng said.

Researchers have also discovered that the nutrient composition of rice grown in space has undergone changes, with space-bred rice potentially having a sweeter taste.

"Upon the return of the seeds, we split the rice grains in half and scanned them to examine the starch morphology and sugar content, which were found to be different. The seeds from space had significantly higher levels of glucose and fructose compared to regular ground-grown seeds, with calculations showing an approximately five to six-fold increase. Additionally, although the starch content was similar, the starch composition differed, and there was also a slightly higher protein content. Due to the significantly higher levels of glucose and fructose in the space-bred seeds compared to those on the ground, they should taste very sweet if these space-bred seeds were cooked," Zheng said.

The 120-day rice experiment conducted in China's space station in 2022 marked the first instance globally where the entire life cycle of rice, from seed to seed, was successfully cultivated in orbit. Prior to this breakthrough, experiments on the space station had only achieved the cultivation of Arabidopsis, rapeseed, peas, and wheat from seed to seed.

So far, Chinese researchers have successfully grown rice in space, and experimental results have shown that these rice seeds also have reproductive capabilities after returning to the Earth. In the future, the research team will delve further into studies surrounding space food security.

"Light is particularly crucial because rice undergoes photosynthesis, necessitating a relatively high requirement for sunlight. As planting rice in space is conducted in an artificial environment, a specific selection process and modifications are required to help the rice adapt to artificial lighting conditions," Zheng said.

New discoveries in space-bred rice mark progress in space food security research

New discoveries in space-bred rice mark progress in space food security research

New discoveries in space-bred rice mark progress in space food security research

New discoveries in space-bred rice mark progress in space food security research

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China ready to push ties with Argentina to higher level: FM

2025-02-15 22:02 Last Updated At:22:37

China is ready to work with Argentina to implement the important consensus reached by the leaders of the two countries and bring the bilateral relations to a new level, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi said on Friday.

This will benefit the people of the two countries and help China and Latin America achieve common development and prosperity, Wang said. He made the remarks during a meeting with his Argentine counterpart Gerardo Werthein on the sidelines of the ongoing Munich Security Conference.

Wang, also a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, said that the Chinese and Argentine people have enjoyed a long-standing friendship, and China-Argentina cooperation is equal and mutually beneficial.

Last year, Chinese President Xi Jinping and Argentine President Javier Milei held a meeting and reached important consensus on consolidating and developing bilateral relations, said Wang.

China is willing to work with Argentina to implement the consensus reached by the two heads of state and strengthen exchanges at the high level and in all fields, so as to bring the bilateral relations to a new level and better benefit the people of both countries, he said.

Wang also said the two sides should continue to respect and accommodate each other's core interests and major concerns, and continuously consolidate the political foundation of bilateral relations.

Wang pointed out that China does not seek spheres of influence, nor does it participate in geopolitical competition. In international affairs, China firmly practices multilateralism and is willing to work with Latin American countries, including Argentina, to firmly safeguard the international rule of law and the basic norms of international relations, he said.

Wang noted that China-Argentina relations are an important part of China-Latin America relations. Over the past decade since its establishment, the China-Community of Latin American and Caribbean States (CELAC) Forum has effectively promoted China-Latin America cooperation and brought tangible benefits to the people of both sides, he said.

China is willing to work with Latin American countries to support the development and growth of the China-CELAC Forum, helping China and Latin America achieve common development and prosperity, said Wang.

Werthein said that Argentina attaches great importance to its relations with China, and looks forward to strengthening high-level exchanges and deepening pragmatic cooperation with China.

Noting that Argentina appreciates China's support for Argentina's defense of its sovereignty over the Malvinas Islands, Werthein said Argentina firmly adheres to the one-China principle and is willing to become a reliable and stable cooperative partner of China.

Werthein also said that Argentina will play an active role in promoting the development of Latin America-China relations on the basis of strengthening bilateral relations.

China ready to push ties with Argentina to higher level: FM

China ready to push ties with Argentina to higher level: FM

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