Seeds of Jinan Zhangqiu green onion was taken to space by Shenzhou 8 for breeding test

Shenzhou 8 launched. Zhangqiu green onion  opened the field of breeding test in space. As reported, Zhangqiu green onion has a cultivation history of more than 2000 years. In early 2010, after learning that Shenzhou 8 is capable of carrying biological material in space breeding, a bold idea was generated in Zhangqiu people's minds: Can Zhangqiu green onions be carried into space to do experiments for breeding better varieties of onion?

Subsequently, related official contacted with Chinese Academy of Space Technology quickly. Shenzhou 8 researchers have heard about Zhangqiu green onion before. But they worried that green onion seeds may have same spicy pungent odor with green onion, which would affect other tests in Shenzhou 8. And thus green onion was not included in the space list.Later, they made many contacts, and took the green onion seeds to Beijing for rigorous review ensureing that all index complying with flying requirements. Ultimately, Zhangqiu green onion obtained the ticket for Shenzhou 8, and Zhangqiu green onion seeds started its mysterious space travel.

Relevant staff introduced that Zhangqiu green onion seeds will face the ordeal of microgravity, space radiation, temperature shock, high vacuum environment of space.And the seeds will mutate under mutagenic effect. When returned to the ground, the seeds will be selected, tested and beneficially mutated for utilizing. Authorities plan to use 3 to 5 years, bred with independent property space green onion varieties.