Turkish Researchers Launch First Space Breeding Project
Turkish researchers have embarked on a groundbreaking project by sending chickpea and Arabidopsis (cress) seeds into space, marking the country's inaugural space breeding initiative.
The Role of the Turkish Space Agency in the Project
Coordinated by the Turkish Space Agency, this project utilized the “Shijian-19” satellite operated by the China National Space Administration to keep the seeds in orbit for 14 days before bringing them back to Earth for further examination.
Key Studies Conducted in the Project
The project focused on two main studies: “Gene Discovery for ER Stress Tolerance in Arabidopsis thaliana by Utilizing Space Environment” and “Space Breeding to Increase Drought Stress Tolerance in Chickpea.”
Leadership of Ege University Faculty in the Initiative
Ege University’s Biology Department faculty members Rengin and Barış Uzilday spearheaded this pioneering space breeding project, pushing the boundaries of traditional breeding methods.
Mutation Breeding for Enhanced Plant Varieties
Barış Uzilday highlighted the significance of cosmic radiation and microgravity-induced mutations in plant cells, emphasizing the unique genetic diversity produced through this unconventional breeding approach.
Addressing Agricultural Challenges Through Space Breeding
The utilization of mutation breeding aims to cultivate plant varieties resistant to environmental stresses and diseases, offering increased yield and nutritional value to combat agricultural challenges and enhance food security.
Focus on Increasing Drought Tolerance in Chickpea Plants
One of the primary objectives of the research is to develop chickpea varieties capable of thriving under severe drought conditions exacerbated by climate change, utilizing widely cultivated “Sarı-98” chickpea seeds.
Collaboration and Support for the Project
Conducted in collaboration with the Agriculture and Forestry Ministry and the Aegean Agricultural Research Institute, the project also received support from the Asia-Pacific Space Cooperation Organization to further its objectives.
Recognition of Pioneering Efforts in Space Breeding
Ege University Rector Necdet Budak commended the research team for their groundbreaking work, highlighting Türkiye's first foray into space breeding research.
Building on Previous Space-Related Research
The current project builds on the Uzilday team's earlier space-related work, including the “Extemophyte” experiment designed by Alper Gezeravcı, Türkiye’s first astronaut, to study stress responses in Schrenkiella parvula under space conditions.
Future Prospects of the Space Breeding Project
The seeds returned from the Shijian-19 mission are currently undergoing analysis at Ege University, with researchers aiming to develop high-yield, stress-resistant crops to tackle global food security challenges.
