Beijing: Chinese scientists successfully planted fast-growing rice in a desert greenhouse in Hotan Prefecture, northwest China’s Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, and for the first time in the trial period, the rice grew to harvest in just 75 days.
According to the Institute of Urban Agriculture (IUA) of the Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, this technology supports the country to grow crops all year round in desert areas and quickly multiply crops.
This technology was developed by IUA chief scientist Kang Qichang and his research team after five years of research. By implementing steps such as multi-layer vertical soilless cultivation and artificial light source control, the team utilized the rich solar resources of desert fields to grow rice within 75 days after planting. According to Chengdu-based IUA, the technology will reduce the growth cycle of rice by 40 percent compared to rice grown in conventional fields.
“We use a new local rice rapid seeding technology for this cultivation. Seed cultivation lasts 15 days. In February, we planted rice seeds in the garden for cultivation without soil. The whole production cycle is 60 days,” said Wang Sen, a researcher. at IUA, a member of the research team told Global Times on Monday.
According to Wan, Hotan’s rapid rice propagation in the greenhouse uses vertical soilless cultivation technology and provides optimal production conditions such as light, temperature, water, air and fertilizer in smart LED supplemental lights from artificial light sources.
Temperature, humidity, light intensity and other conditions can be carefully controlled inside the device. However, energy, labor and construction costs are always high. The result, according to the IUA, is a desert greenhouse plant that takes advantage of the abundant light and heat resources of the Taklimakan desert, significantly reducing costs.
It makes sense to “inspire more scientific research” in this area, to encourage scientists to find different solutions to “guarantee national reproduction and food security.”
The research team also investigated major crops such as soybeans, corn and wheat, as well as key technologies for rapid breeding of oilseeds and cotton in the Hota desert greenhouse.
In recent years, research institutes have tried to study the technology of building vertical drone greenhouses. In December 2023, a 10-meter-tall unmanned aerial vehicle was built by IUA in Chengdu, southwest China’s Sichuan Province. The process of growing, planting, thinning, harvesting and packaging is fully automated, according to media reports.
