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Seeding the future of food

Updated: 2022-04-09 15:04 ( China Daily )
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In the long-term repository, Dr Tang Xiao takes out the preserved rice seeds to check their conditions and prepares for seed renewal and reproduction.[Photo provided to China Daily]

The resource bank is the current effective and safe preservation method of crop germplasm. Preservation includes more than 10 processes. These involve receiving and registering seeds, checking weights, cleaning and selecting, vigor testing, drying and dehydration, moisture measurement and seed packaging before storage. Seed distribution, germination monitoring and reproduction update after delivery are also included.

In the long-term repository of the resource bank, germplasm resources are "hibernating" in a low temperature environment. Rows of 4-meter-high shelves are closely arranged, and each layer of the shelves is densely stored with small round golden boxes. Inside the box is a seemingly inconspicuous seed, but it records the genetic secrets of various crops for thousands of years. As one of the country's most important strategic resource reserves, these germplasm resources can be stored here for more than 50 years and can be easily awakened at any time of need.

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