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China’s space seed project has bred nearly 1,000 new species since the effort began 35 years ago. Some of the seeds have been tested and grown in southern China’s Hainan Province, home to the nation’s southernmost space launch center.
Scientists say sending seeds into orbit helps them develop new crop varieties that can withstand more extreme growing conditions. In low gravity environment and outside the Earth’s protective magnetic shield, the seeds pick up subtle DNA changes and become more resistant to drought and certain diseases. Space seeds have led to the cultivation of new grains, vegetables, fruits and other plants across China, generating over $30 billion in economic benefits. CGTN takes you inside the Hainan Space Breeding Center in Wenchang to find out how food engineers create new crop types out of space seeds, and how they help us adapt to growing population needs and climate challenges.