Chinese researchers are about to harvest the third-generation rice from seeds that returned from a space voyage in 2022 after a growth period of more than 100 days at a crop breeding and cultivation base in Shanghai.
They are born of 59 seeds which experienced 120 days of space cultivation, and completed the entire growth process from seed to seed during the 2022 Shenzhou-14 manned mission, and growing at an enclosed research greenhouse of the Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS) Center for Excellence in Molecular Plant Sciences and in a farm field.
"Six seeds were sent onboard the Wentian module to space, and then we received 59 seeds in total. These 59 seeds were quite precious, so we took some of them for breeding in the artificial climate chamber. After multiplication, we obtained more seeds, nearly 10,000. Then we took some of them and grow them in the field. This is the rice ears we reaped in the field," said Zheng Huiqiong, a researcher with the center.
The researcher explained that 59 rice seeds bred in space represent the first generation, nearly 10,000 seeds bred in a phytotron constitute the second generation, and the seeds for the upcoming harvest in the farm field are the third generation.
Preliminary research results found that under microgravity conditions in space, rice seed embryos develop normally, capable of growing into vigorous offspring. This experiment confirms the potential to cultivate robust rice seeds in space. "First, we harvested viable seeds in space. Then, through experiments in the phytotron, we proved that these viable seeds can create offspring and the space-bred seeds still have the ability to reproduce. They can continue to reproduce stably in the fields. It means it is a feasible way to produce rice in a space environment," said Zheng.
Researchers will also conduct a comprehensive analysis and evaluation of the yield and agronomic traits of space rice grown in the field.
China to harvest third-generation space-bred rice
Greenland, an autonomous territory of Denmark, has drawn renewed international attention amid persistent rhetoric from the United States about acquiring the Arctic island and a growing diplomatic presence by Western nations in its capital Nuuk.
The U.S. consulate in Nuuk, the only permanent American diplomatic mission in Greenland, is located in a modest red wooden building. Originally opened in the mid-20th century, the consulate was closed in 1953 and reopened on June 10, 2020, operating under the U.S. Embassy in Denmark.
In January, the United States announced plans to relocate the consulate to a newly constructed high-rise building in the city center.
The new facility, expected to occupy roughly 3,000 square meters in the building's basement and to be fitted with bulletproof glass, will mark a sharp contrast with the current site.
Consulate staff said they do not yet know when the move will take place, noting that the new building has not yet opened.
Residents living near the future site said they were aware of the planned relocation. When asked whether it would affect their daily lives, many declined to comment. A small number of locals who agreed to be interviewed stressed that Greenland is not for sale.
"They have been here for many years already, the U.S. bases. Maybe we can cooperate with them in some way but we don't need to be sold to the U.S.," said a local resident.
Diplomatic activities in Nuuk have increased in recent weeks. France and Canada both opened consulates in the city on Friday. Canada said the new mission would help deepen cooperation with Greenland in areas including Arctic security, climate change and trade.
Iceland established its consulate in Nuuk in 2013, and Canada and Iceland are set to share the same office building.
France, which has announced plans to open a consulate, has yet to secure permanent premises.
Analysts say the expansion of diplomatic missions by multiple Western countries reflects Greenland's growing importance in the Arctic's strategic landscape, underscoring how the region is becoming a focal point of international attention and geopolitical competition.
U.S. eyes larger Greenland consulate as Western nations step up Arctic presence
