今日焦点

### English Translation Title: Tech Breeding – Guarding the Grain Fields

Summary:
At the Institute of Agriculture and Forestry, Qinghai University, the potato tissue‑culture and molecular lab has used shoot‑tip detoxification, test‑tube (in‑vitro) culture, and smart growing racks to produce virus‑free potato seedlings. They have built a four‑stage propagation system that takes plants from the test tube all the way to field planting. The researchers are also improving disease‑resistance testing, gene‑editing, and molecular‑marker‑assisted breeding to help potato varieties yield steadily on the high‑altitude plateau.

These achievements have allowed the new cultivar “Qing‑Shu 9” and similar varieties to be promoted nationwide, dramatically increasing yields and farmer incomes. The team is also exploring extra uses such as leaf‑protein extraction, processing colored potatoes into value‑added products, and turning potato starch into biodegradable materials, extending the value chain from seed to industry.

Reflection:
Technology can make seeds “smarter,” but good seeds still depend on healthy soil, sunlight, and the daily care of people. Whether it’s the careful work in the lab or the hard labor in the field, both are necessary steps to turn a single seed of hope into a harvest.

Looking ahead with honesty and diligence is the most practical way to honor the land. May scientists and farmers work hand in hand, passing down this skill and trust from generation to generation, guarding our food and the daily sustenance of families.

Scripture:
“Anyone who hears the word of God and understands it is like a farmer who plants seed on good soil. The seed grows and produces a crop, producing thirty, sixty, or even a hundred times as much as was sown.” – Matthew 13:23

Link:
https://www.huizu-tianjing.icu/yinzhile/mataijuan/13