🌾 Big news! Today, at a press conference, the Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS) revealed major breakthroughs in precision-designed seeds—game-changing stuff for food security and the planet. 🤩
Launched in November 2019, the CAS 'Precision Seed Design and Breeding' program brought together 30+ top research teams. Over the past six years, they’ve developed 37 pilot varieties—plants & livestock—that are now growing on nearly 965,000 hectares across China. 🚜
How do they do it? Researchers use genome editing (think super-precise gene tweaking) to boost traits like:
- Higher yields 🌾
- Better nutrient use (less fertilizer!) 💧
- Stronger resistance to pests, drought & diseases 🛡️
Take rice, for example. Scientists discovered the OsTCP19 gene—a mini power-up that keeps yields steady even with 20–30% less nitrogen fertilizer. 👋
Researcher Chong Kang notes, 'OsTCP19 could help resolve the longstanding issue of excessive fertilizer use in Chinese agriculture.' 🌱
On the wheat front, there’s 'Zhongke 166,' a new variety that fights off powdery mildew and Fusarium head blight. It’s already planted on 100,000 hectares, cutting pesticide use. 🌱
2024 was a milestone year: China issued its first biosafety certificate for a gene-edited staple crop, and teams fast-tracked a wild rice species into a market-ready variety in record time. 🚀
In aquaculture, they developed 'Zhongke 6,' a crucian carp that grows 25% faster, survives better and uses feed 20% more efficiently. They even bred a boneless strain—perfect for hassle-free cooking! 🐟
The 'Zhongkefa' rice series is also making waves: 'Zhongkefa 5' delivers 20% more yield than local varieties in northeast China and thrives in saline soils, while 'ZKFZG1' is the first early-season japonica rice for double-cropping—hitting markets 2–3 months faster. 🏆
As CAS chief scientist Li Jiayang puts it, 'Molecular design not only speeds up breeding but also lets us tailor crops for better nutrition, stress tolerance and resource use.' ⚡
These precision-designed seeds are more than cool tech—they’re a big step toward greener farming, stronger food security and smarter resource use. For young agri-enthusiasts and eco-champs everywhere, this is the future on your plate! 🌍💚
Reference(s):
China develops 'precision-designed' seeds to boost food security
cgtn.com
