Chinese researchers have commenced experimental planting with 66,500 potato seeds that spent over 180 days in space aboard the Shenzhou-16 crewed spaceship. The seeds, subjected to cosmic radiation and microgravity, are part of an ambitious space breeding initiative aimed at creating new potato varieties with enhanced characteristics.
Zhang Linhai, director of the technology innovation center at Xisen Potato Industry Co., Ltd., overseeing the project, explained that after the germination, cultivation, and transplantation phases, superior seed varieties would be selected and further evaluated. The goal is to develop potato varieties with salt-alkali tolerance and higher yields using advanced gene-editing technology alongside traditional genetic breeding.
This experimental approach has the potential to significantly reduce the breeding cycle from more than a decade to just a few years, Zhang noted. The research center, located in Shangdu County in Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region, is focused on harnessing the benefits of space-induced genetic mutations to enhance crop performance.
Xisen Potato Industry Co., Ltd. previously sent 20,000 potato seeds into space in June 2022 via Shenzhou-14. The company’s involvement in space breeding is part of ongoing efforts to leverage cosmic conditions for innovative agricultural practices.
Since 1987, when China initiated its first space experiment involving crop seeds, the country has conducted over 30 experiments encompassing plant seeds, seedlings, and strains. These experiments have led to the development of nearly 1,000 new varieties, marking a significant milestone in China’s space breeding journey.
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