Chapter 2977 The 'key' for humans to control nature
【Revision】
Therefore, from the beginning of the large-scale planting experiment in the natural environment, experts from relevant departments, research institutes, and universities have been here throughout the entire process to participate in the entire cultivation and planting process, thereby collecting the most authentic testing data. Only in this way can we
Really find out whether this gene-edited and genetically modified bamboo variety will cause harm to the ecological environment.
If the experiment is successful and proves that this variety will not cause harm to the ecological environment, then this bamboo can be planted on a large scale.
According to its forest formation speed, it only takes a few years to form hundreds of thousands or even millions of acres of bamboo forest, which will play a huge role in windbreak and sand fixation in the northwest region.
Not only that, once a large-scale forest area is formed, it will have a huge impact on the local ecological environment and even the small-scale climate.
First of all, large-scale forest areas will play a role in windbreak and sand fixation, which will block the erosion of wind and sand, and can also inhibit the generation of wind and sand. Moreover, these bamboo forests can also improve the problem of poor local desert soil, rotten bamboo roots, fallen
Bamboo leaves are very good humus materials. They can improve the organic matter content in these barren soils, thereby making the soil fertile.
In addition, once a large-scale forest area is formed, the transpiration effect will affect the climate of a small region, making the arid climate humid, and even increasing regional rainfall.
Finally, large-scale forest areas will also attract various animals to live here, thereby improving the living environment of these animals, accelerating the reproduction of animal numbers, and thus achieving the purpose of restoring the ecosystem.
For these experts, this drought-tolerant bamboo variety is just an appetizer. They are more concerned about the plant transgene and gene editing technology. Transgenic technology is not uncommon, but what everyone is more curious about or pays attention to is
Plant gene editing technology.
In fact, gene editing technology is no stranger to everyone in recent years, but it has been accompanied by various controversial topics. The biggest of which are social and ethical issues.
However, this is only for animals and humans. In the field of plants, there is no such problem, or the problem is not that concerned.
Therefore, these experts are very interested in the research and application of this technology. In the opinion of the experts, this technology can be said to be the key for humans to control nature. With this technology, they can act as gods and follow their own rules.
The need to change the nature of plants.
For example, in the field of crops, gene editing technology can be used to make wheat ears grow as big as corn and rice to grow as tall as sorghum. This can truly realize the dream of enjoying the shade under the grass.
You can also make potatoes grow larger than sweet potatoes, and sweet potatoes grow larger than pumpkins, so that a cart as big as pumpkins cannot be pulled.
We can even use this technology to lignify these crops, from annual crops to perennial woody crops, so that corn, wheat, and rice can become like apple trees. They do not need to be planted repeatedly, but only need to be managed.
Just pick it in season.
Like this drought-tolerant bamboo, these crops can also be given the characteristics of other plants. Such as drought tolerance, salt-alkali tolerance, low temperature tolerance, barrenness tolerance, insect resistance and other characteristics, thus greatly increasing the yield of crops and completely solving the problem.
food crisis.
Of course, this is just the imagination of scientists. There is still a long way to go to achieve this goal. Gene editing technology is not omnipotent. It has its own limitations and its own shortcomings.
The above imaginations may be realized in the future, but certainly not now.
In addition to this drought-tolerant bamboo variety, these experts are also interested in another drought-tolerant variety, which is a new variety of Populus euphratica.
Logically speaking, Populus euphratica itself is a plant next door to the desert. It is drought-tolerant, barren, and salt-alkali tolerant. These are all basic, so there is nothing strange about it.
However, this new variety of Populus euphratica has the fast-growing characteristics of bamboo added to its genes, which means that it is a fast-growing Populus euphratica variety.
Although Populus euphratica has tenacious vitality, its growth rate is very slow. Under normal circumstances, the annual growth of Populus euphratica is usually between a few centimeters to more than ten centimeters.
As for this new type of Populus euphratica in a vase that adds the fast-growing gene of moso bamboo, it grows very fast. Although it does not grow as fast as moso bamboo, it can still reach a growth rate of three to four meters per year. Basically, if one Populus euphratica is planted,
It can grow into a towering tree in three to five years.
In addition, the root system genes of Populus euphratica have also been edited to make its root system more developed and better able to fix sand. In addition, the stronger and more developed root system can also support the rapid growth of this new variety of Populus euphratica.
Compared with exotic varieties such as bamboo, local varieties such as Populus euphratica are obviously more in line with the local ecological environment. Although bamboo is very hard, it is actually a herbaceous plant and is relatively susceptible to pests and diseases.
For example, the problem of bamboo blooming is that once bamboo blooms, it will die in large areas and is highly contagious. Therefore, although this drought-tolerant bamboo variety is very good, there is also a question about whether it can be planted on a large scale.
Controversial issues.
Even if it itself will not have an impact on the ecological environment, a single variety like this has poor risk resistance, and if problems arise, it will be catastrophic.
Even if this drought-tolerant bamboo itself has its genes modified to reduce the chance of flowering, there is still no guarantee that it will suddenly bloom one day in the future. After all, we currently do not know enough about the issue of bamboo flowering.
Its related mechanism is not understood, so it is difficult to prevent it.
Populus euphratica is different. It can adapt to the extreme local environment and has strong resistance to pests and diseases. In addition, Populus euphratica has hard wood and has certain economic value, which is also very good for increasing local economic income.
In addition, this fast-growing tree is very suitable for papermaking, not only because of its fast growth rate, but also because it is cheap, easy to cultivate and plant, and will not affect the natural environment.
With it, we don't need to cut down other trees to make paper, which truly protects the environment.
Moreover, it is adapted to arid desert areas and has a relatively poor economic foundation. Its high economic value can also drive local farmers to become rich and promote local economic development.
The last step is carbon neutrality. The carbon benefits generated by so many forest areas every year are very considerable. This is another huge amount of income, and it can also achieve our country's carbon neutrality goal. It can be said that it kills multiple birds with one stone.
