The "immortal" grass falling from the sky

Recently, China's first microgravity scientific experiment satellite, Shi Shi 10, carried the first batch of Rabdosia rubescens seeds that were launched. After returning to Earth with the recovery module, they took root at Jiyuan Aerospace Biological breeding Experimental Base, raised seedlings successfully, and grew well after planting in the field.

"this is the result of the joint efforts of researchers at the Jiyuan Academy of Agricultural Sciences." Tian Ruichang, director of the traditional Chinese Medicine Research Office of the Jiyuan Academy of Agricultural Sciences in Henan Province, said that the successful germination and seedling formation of the induced seeds also marked that the Rabdosia rubescens industry in Henan Province entered the experimental stage of space biological breeding. it represents that Jiyuan's agricultural scientific research has entered a new field of space research.

? High medicinal value

Rabdosia rubescens is a plant of the genus Rabdosia of Labiatae. "it has the effects of heat-clearing and detoxification, anti-inflammation, pain and anti-tumor. It can be used for throat swelling, pain, snakebite and so on. It has high medicinal value." Introduced by Tian Ruichang.

"because of these characteristics, Rabdosia rubescens is called a 'natural antibiotic'." Zheng Tingting, a researcher at Jiyuan Academy of Agricultural Sciences, told reporters.

? Take root on the ground and grow well

In August this year, researchers at the Jiyuan Academy of Agricultural Sciences took out a small part of the Rabdosia rubescens seeds returned from a 12-day space trip.

"after 3 to 5 days of germination, the seeds are sown in the hole tray, and after 20 days of growth, they are planted in the Jiyuan Aerospace Biological breeding Experimental Base." Introduced by Tian Ruichang. In this process, most of the seedlings differentiated into flower buds, with an average of about 10 cm, and the tallest seedling was 14-15 cm long.

The space seeds of Rabdosia rubescens sown this time have bred more than 130 seedlings after the stages of accelerating germination and raising seedlings. Researchers take good care of it and observe the seedling growth of Rabdosia rubescens space seed every day. These seedlings grow well after being transplanted into the field.

? Promote the breeding of new varieties

This time, the mission of space radiation mutagenesis was carried out on board "practice 10", which mainly participated in life science experiments and space mutation breeding, with the aim of innovating germplasm resources. "the use of the special radiation environment in outer space to cause chromosome abnormalities and genetic mutations can change the current functional composition and content of crops, as well as disease resistance." Zheng Tingting said.