Chapter 2978 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 process. Participate in the entire cultivation and planting process to collect the most authentic testing data. Only in this way can we truly know 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 wind protection and sand fixation, which will block the erosion of wind and sand and also inhibit the generation of wind and sand. Moreover, these bamboo forests can also improve the barrenness of the local desert soil. Rotten bamboo roots and 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 restoring the ecosystem.
For these experts, this drought-tolerant bamboo variety is just an appetizer. They are more concerned about the plant genetic modification and gene editing technology. Transgenic technology is not new, 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 among them are social and ethical issues.
However, this is only for animals and humans. In the field of plants, this problem does not exist, or the problem is not that concerned.
Therefore, these experts are very interested in the research and application of this technology. According to experts, this technology can be said to be the key to human control over nature. With this technology, then they can act as gods and change nature's plants according to their needs.
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, changing them from annual crops to perennial woody crops, so that corn, wheat, and rice can become like apple trees. There is no need to replant, but only need to be managed. Just pick it in season.
These crops can also be given some of the characteristics of other plants, like this drought-tolerant bamboo. For example, it is resistant to drought, salt and alkali, low temperature, barrenness, and insect pests, which greatly increases crop yields and completely solves the 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 disadvantages.
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 resistant to drought, barrenness, and salt and alkali. These are all basic. This is not surprising.
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 growth of Populus euphratica in a year is usually between a few centimeters and more than ten centimeters.
As for this new bottled Populus euphratica with the addition of moso bamboo fast-growing genes, 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 a Populus euphratica is planted, it will 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. And the stronger and more developed root system can also support the rapid growth of this new variety of Populus euphratica.
Compared with exotic species such as bamboo, local species 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.
Take the problem of bamboo blooming, for example. Once bamboo blooms, it will die in large areas and is highly contagious. Therefore, although this drought-tolerant bamboo variety is very good, it is also a controversial issue whether it can be planted on a large scale.
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 the 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 don’t know enough about the issue of bamboo flowering, and we haven’t yet figured out its related mechanisms, 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, the wood of Populus euphratica is hard and has certain economic value, which is also very good for increasing local economic income.
In addition, this kind of fast-growing tree is very suitable for papermaking. On the one hand, it grows quickly, and on the other hand, 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.
And it is adapted to arid desert areas, and its economic foundation is relatively poor. Its high economic value can also drive local farmers to become rich and promote local economic development.
The last one is carbon neutrality. The carbon benefits generated by so many forest areas every year are very considerable. This is another huge amount of income. It can also achieve our country's carbon neutrality goal. It can be said that it kills multiple birds with one stone.
(End of chapter)
