[Explanation] Recently, Meng Xingning, a senior engineer at Liuzhou Institute of Garden Science, Guangxi, came to the flower shed routinely to water the 13 "Space Bauhinia" seedlings that had been transplanted from the light incubator to a large pot not long ago. The seedlings below are growing well.
[Explanation] In June last year, under the unified organization of the China Manned Space Engineering Office, the Liuzhou Garden Science Research Institute sent 1,000 Bauhinia seeds to the Space Breeding Industry Innovation Alliance.
After approval, more than 200 Bauhinia seeds took the Shenzhou 14 manned spacecraft and "traveled" in space for half a year for space breeding.
On January 3, the "Space Bauhinia Seeds" officially returned to Liuzhou. After they had been sterilized and soaked, researchers then sowed the seeds into breeding trays.
[Concurrent] Xie Taojie, Director of Liuzhou Garden Science Research Institute
Space breeding is a large comprehensive effect produced by the joint action of space (space) radiation and microgravity (etc.), which has mutated (caused) Cauliflower Bauhinia. Space radiation has a high mutation rate, which can reach 1%. , while ordinary radiation breeding can only reach one in a thousand, with ten times the chance.
[Explanation] It is understood that Bauhinia seeds are usually sown in June every year. Due to the abnormal breeding period at this time, researchers put the seeds in a light incubator for cultivation, and set the temperature, humidity and light suitable for the growth of Bauhinia. Create a good growth environment for it and take good care of it in daily life.
[Same period] Meng Xingning, senior engineer of Liuzhou Institute of Garden Science
In the process of cultivation in the light incubator, one problem encountered is that it is difficult to control the humidity. If the seedlings grow weak, they will be prone to gray mold or (green leaves) yellowing. We need to disinfect regularly. It is also necessary to control the moisture, and the light should also take into account its more suitable light.
[Explanation] After more than two months of growth in the light incubator, "Space Bauhinia" has gradually taken root and germinated, and the breeding tray has been unable to meet their growth needs.
Recently, the staff transplanted the seedlings into large pots and put them in a greenhouse to grow together with other Bauhinia species that have already bloomed, allowing the seedlings to gradually adapt to the surrounding environment.
[Explanation] As the "city flower" of Liuzhou City, the Bauhinia "settled" in Liuzhou for more than 80 years. Garden City” plan.
After years of natural hybridization and evolution, Bauhinia has formed four series of flower colors: purple, pink, pink, and white, and the flower colors are relatively single.
Xie Taojie said that space breeding provides a new way to breed more varieties of Bauhinia.
[Concurrent] Xie Taojie, Director of Liuzhou Garden Science Research Institute
Space breeding is a "blind box" process, because its variation is uncontrollable. According to our breeding goals, we need multi-colored, dense-flowered, double-petaled, etc. This is what we need Variation, if these are obtained, I think the germplasm resource innovation of Bauhinia chinensis has achieved the goal we hope to achieve.
[Explanation] There are more than 5,000 mu and nearly 300,000 Bauhinia plants planted in Liuzhou City, making it the city with the largest number of Bauhinia plants in China and the largest scale.
At the end of March every year, the streets and alleys of the city are surrounded by Bauhinia in full bloom, and the whole city seems to be immersed in a pink ocean.
Wei Guozheng reports from Liuzhou, Guangxi
Responsible editor: [Luo Pan]