The vibrant month of May welcomed the MBA2024 participants (Chinese Class) with lush trees, blooming flowers, and a pulsating energy. After a period of intense theoretical studies, this excursion aimed to provide MBA2024 students with a practical understanding of how to apply their acquired theoretical knowledge to molecular breeding research, enabling them to bridge the gap between theory and practice.

 

Under the guidance of Deputy Director Xingping Zhang and Instructor Yunbi Xu, the students set foot inside the advanced breeding facilities. Their first stop was the Crop Genetics and Germplasm Innovation Platform, where Dr. Zhang introduced the laboratory's tasks and emphasized its significance in modern breeding practices. The application of modern molecular biotechnology in crop breeding has significantly reduced the workload while enhancing breeding precision and efficiency. To unravel the molecular mechanisms underlying agronomic traits is fundamental for effectively employing modern molecular biotechnology in breeding. Such novel breeding techniques necessitate specialized experimental instruments and equipment, all of which were showcased during the visit.

After their visit to the Trait Discovery Laboratory, the students proceeded through the connecting corridor of BC Building and arrived at the newly completed Phase 2 Artificial Climate Chamber area in Building C, which was put into operation in 2023. Currently, the institute has established 61 state-of-the-art artificial climate chambers equipped with intelligent controls for temperature, humidity, and light intensity.

 

As the students walked through the immaculate corridors of the artificial climate chambers, with their green control panel boxes and glass windows on the growth chamber doors, Dr. Zhang explained the significant role of these chambers in the year-round production of experimental materials, precision phenotyping, and rapid breeding. This experience deepened the participants' understanding of the interplay between genotypes, phenotypes, and environmental factors, which they had learned in their theoretical classes. The advanced equipment left a profound impression on many participants, allowing them to capture memorable moments with their cameras.

 

In addition to the artificial climate chambers, another crucial facility that the institute possesses for year-round production of experimental materials is a 5,000-square-meter intelligent greenhouse. Exiting the experimental building and crossing the sky bridge connecting it to the intelligent greenhouse, the students entered the interior of this remarkable facility.

 

Dr. Zhang provided the participants with an in-depth introduction to the advanced management methods and facility design concepts employed in the intelligent greenhouse. He emphasized the intelligent regulation of temperature, light intensity, and humidity, as well as crop cultivation techniques and measures for pest and disease control. Furthermore, he underscored the critical importance of ensuring crop safety in experimental research endeavors.

 

Through this enlightening experience, the participants gained a deeper appreciation for the innovative approaches and cutting-edge technologies employed in the management and design of the intelligent greenhouse. They recognized the significance of maintaining crop safety and its impact on successful experimental studies.

After the visit to the intelligent greenhouse, the participants walked to the plastic greenhouse experimental base located outside the west gate of the institute. Adjacent to the carrot experimental field, Dr. Zhang provided the participants with an introduction to the method of EMS-induced mutagenesis and the considerations that should be taken into account. Dr. Xu then explained the efficiency of EMS-induced mutagenesis in breeding new varieties from a quantitative genetics perspective.

 

 

Inside the plastic greenhouse at the experimental base, the impressive sight of neatly arranged, robust crops growing on weed-free ground left a lasting impression on the participants. Currently, the greenhouse is cultivating watermelons, cantaloupes, tomatoes, and popcorn.

 

Dr. Zhang emphasized the importance of ensuring the healthy growth of crops and maintaining coordinated operational management as vital safeguards for reducing experimental errors and improving the reliability of results. In the area dedicated to popcorn experiments, Dr. Zhang introduced the progress made in gene exploration related to popcorn, as well as the advantages and applications of the popcorn super-inducers to the participants, focusing on the test materials.

 

The participants gained valuable insights into the ongoing research efforts in gene exploration for popcorn and the utilization of the super-inducers, further enhancing their understanding of the subject matter.

 

At the final destination of the event, the participants arrived at the wheat experimental field situated opposite the west gate of the research institute. Confronted with the sight of ripening wheat fields, Dr. Zhang delivered an insightful commentary on the paramount significance of wheat population construction and breeding methodologies in achieving success in wheat breeding endeavors. Moreover, Dr. Zhang elaborated on the application and remarkable accomplishments of the research institute's cutting-edge wheat breeding technology, specifically the utilization of haploid induction techniques.

 

 

 

Throughout the entire tour, the participant actively engaged in interactive discussions with the lecturing teachers, addressing their inquiries through a dynamic exchange of questions and answers. In addition to providing an elucidation of the research institute's breeding facilities, equipment, and advanced breeding methodologies, Dr. Zhang graciously shared his own research experiences, emphasizing the pivotal role of scientific literacy in the success of a breeder.

 

Associate Researcher Xianwen Zhu, a prominent figure in the breeding field, accompanied the participants throughout the entire tour, both in the plastic greenhouse and in the field. Through this immersive experience, the participants not only deepened their comprehension of molecular breeding theories but also witnessed their practical implementation, thereby fostering a comprehensive understanding of the field.