The seeds carried aboard the Shiyan-19 experimental satellite into space were recently sowed at a breeding base in Sanya, south China's Hainan Province.
Weighing 1,600 grams in total, these crop seeds are divided into two categories, including six varieties of rice and six varieties of corn.
They were exposed to cosmic radiation and microgravity to mutate their genes and now are being cultivated after they returned to the Earth.
Researchers will further conduct ground-based breeding experiments to obtain excellent mutations and cultivate superior new grain varieties with higher yield, better quality, and stronger disease resistance.
China's Hainan begins sowing crop seeds sent to space
A lovely mother-daughter pair, Rui Rui and Rui Ruizai recently was spotted enjoying a leisure bamboo shoots feast at their home at the Shenshuping base of the China Conservation and Research Center for Giant Pandas (CCRCGP) in the Wolong National Nature Reserve.
Rui Rui was born in September 2017 and she gave birth to Rui Ruizai in 2023.
Together with them is Xian Xianzai, a naughty boy whose mother is Xian Xian. Xian Xianzai spends lots of time with his dear auntie Rui Rui.
Xian Xian earned her fame in 2016 as she starred in a popular documentary "Born in China". Back then, she was just a two-year-old chubby cub.
The CCRCGP stands as a beacon of hope for these iconic creatures, boasting the world's largest population of artificially bred giant pandas. Pioneering groundbreaking research in artificial breeding and training for the wilderness survival of these gentle giants, the center serves as a global hub for collaborative efforts. With partnerships spanning 18 zoos across 16 countries and regions, 39 domestic animal breeding institutions, and over 10 research institutes, the center's dedication to panda preservation knows no bounds, ensuring a brighter future for these beloved bears.
Panda paradise: embracing tranquil joy of bamboo, family time
