The olive seeds of space

Food in space is a topic that is analyzed thinking about the future of explorations outside our planet. As part of this, experiments are carried out to measure the resistance of seeds and crops, and at some point it will be a matter of life or death. Therefore, the news about olive seeds from space draws attention. It is one of those scenarios that needs to be tested to determine the extent of our possibilities.

That’s how it is. These tests were done with olive seeds subjected to spatial mutation experiments. All steps of this research were carried out aboard the Shenzhou-14 manned spacecraft in 2022. As part of the experiment, subsequent tests were done on Earth. The seeds recently germinated in the city of Longnan, northwest China.

The olive seeds from space were germinated and the results are awaited.
The olive seeds from space were germinated and the results are awaited.

Extreme conditions

The details of this operation were described by CCTV (China Central Television). What do the researchers plan to do next? They plan to transplant the olive seedlings from 315 grams of seeds outdoors in 2026. And thus they hope to help them gradually acclimatize to the natural environment.

Space mutation experiments involve exposing seeds or plant tissues to extraterrestrial environmental factors. For example, microgravity. Also high levels of radiation and extreme temperature variations, to induce genetic mutations. So it Xinhua reports.

This would help solve the problem of future crops in space.
This would help solve the problem of future crops in space.

Genetic modifications

Why try to germinate olive seeds from space? Through the experiments, the researchers hope to develop high-quality olive germplasm. They were modified to have desirable characteristics. Among them, high yield, superior quality, early maturity and strong resistance to diseases.

Longnan is a renowned region for olive cultivation. At the end of 2023 it had approximately 69,333 hectares of olive trees. It produces a total of 54,000 tons of fresh olives. Its total production value reaches around 4 billion yuan (approximately 556 million US dollars).

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