Ion Beam Bio-Engineering Improves Crops

Chinese scientists have successfully bred seven new strains of crops by using "ion beam bio-engineering " technology.

These strains include rice, soybean, wheat, maize and water melon. They are of a high quality and are disease resistant, according to sources with the Chinese Academy of Sciences.

The new strains have already been used in some areas and have generated huge incomes. A new strain of rice, for example, has raised output by 750 to 1,500 kg per ha.

The technology requires infusing the desired ion beam into a certain area inside a crop seed. This causes a physiological and bio-chemical reaction. Some mutation may occur as a result.

Experts said that the technology is comparable to the most advanced levels of ion beam engineering overseas and will greatly accelerate the development of agriculture in China.

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