. 24/7 Space News .
Space Vegetables Take Root In China

illustration only
Beijing (XNA) Sep 06, 2004
"Space Vegetables," bred by astronautical mutagenesis, which is mutating genes in the radiation of outer space, are now found on many of China's dining tables, reported China Radio International on Sunday.

The zapped superveggies are being planted in large areas across China. "Space tomatoes" are already grown on more than two thousand hectares, and "space peppers" on 14 thousand hectares.

Scientists at the Heilongjiang Academy of Agricultural Sciences bred the first "space vegetable" after seven satellite experiments since 1987.

They explain that astronautical mutagenic breeding technology alters the germ plasm of crop seeds. After the satellite returns to earth, the high-yielding and most immunized seeds are selected and planted.

The scientists claim that"space vegetables" have better quality than those that stick to dry land. For example, the "space tomato" keeps fresh for some 20 days, one week longer than ordinary tomatoes. And the "space pepper" contains 20 per cent more Vitamin C than other peppers.

The Heilongjiang Academy of Agricultural Sciences is currently breeding "space cucumber" and "space eggplant."

Source: Xinhua News Agency Related Links
SpaceDaily
Search SpaceDaily
Subscribe To SpaceDaily Express

China's Secret Cape Canaveral A Sprawling City Of 15,000
Jiuquan, China (AFP) Sep 02, 2004
Under a giant portrait of Mao Zedong emblazoned with the words "We, too, must have a man-made satellite", the heart of China's space program -- an entire city built for the sole purpose of reaching the cosmos -- spreads out along its perch at the edge of the Gobi desert.



Thanks for being here;
We need your help. The SpaceDaily news network continues to grow but revenues have never been harder to maintain.

With the rise of Ad Blockers, and Facebook - our traditional revenue sources via quality network advertising continues to decline. And unlike so many other news sites, we don't have a paywall - with those annoying usernames and passwords.

Our news coverage takes time and effort to publish 365 days a year.

If you find our news sites informative and useful then please consider becoming a regular supporter or for now make a one off contribution.
SpaceDaily Contributor
$5 Billed Once


credit card or paypal
SpaceDaily Monthly Supporter
$5 Billed Monthly


paypal only














The content herein, unless otherwise known to be public domain, are Copyright 1995-2016 - Space Media Network. All websites are published in Australia and are solely subject to Australian law and governed by Fair Use principals for news reporting and research purposes. AFP, UPI and IANS news wire stories are copyright Agence France-Presse, United Press International and Indo-Asia News Service. ESA news reports are copyright European Space Agency. All NASA sourced material is public domain. Additional copyrights may apply in whole or part to other bona fide parties. Advertising does not imply endorsement, agreement or approval of any opinions, statements or information provided by Space Media Network on any Web page published or hosted by Space Media Network. Privacy Statement All images and articles appearing on Space Media Network have been edited or digitally altered in some way. Any requests to remove copyright material will be acted upon in a timely and appropriate manner. Any attempt to extort money from Space Media Network will be ignored and reported to Australian Law Enforcement Agencies as a potential case of financial fraud involving the use of a telephonic carriage device or postal service.