The adventure of seeds

Can you imagine that a preserved seed is able to sprout after a millennium? Seeds bank makes it possible. In Southwest China Germplasm Bank of Wildlife, a variety of seeds experience a long and complex adventure, and are expected to survive in the far future.

Only the species under special protection by the state can be selected for the seed bank. In Southwest China Germplasm Bank of Wildlife, a seeds bank in Yunnan, every seed collected from the wildness must go through a series of strict procedures including labeling, registering, desiccation, X-ray detection and storing. What come to next are primary germination test, secondary test, breeding and reproduction.

Not only had the seeds suffered a tough test, but also the collectors. According to an official of the seed bank, a seeds collector found nowhere to shelter when collecting seeds in northwest Yunnan’s Shangri-la. He had to live in a cowshed for a whole night. In addition, seeds collectors have to carry heavy equipments when working outdoors. Sometimes, they even face the risk of encountering beasts and extreme weathers. 

The seed bank is regarded as a “Noah’s Ark” for mankind. Even though not every seed will survive at last due to biological reasons, those which will be alive after thousands of years definitely will create miracles.

Editor: Wang Shixue