Back on Earth, scientists select seeds with beneficial traits -- such as high yield, superior quality, early ripening and disease resistance -- and cultivate them into new crop varieties.

　　The two parties immediately agreed. In early May, Guo, 56, headed a team to Cona for an on-site assessment and obtained some soil samples for subsequent analysis back at the lab.

　　Using these soil samples, the team tailored organic fertilizers, optimized for space-bred seeds to be used in the high-altitude environment.

　　About a month later, they rushed back to Cona, since the cold-resistant plants must be sown before the end of the frost-free period that lasts only over 40 days there.

　　The team opted to conduct the trial on a barren 2.5-hectare plot of neglected, sloping land. “Our goal was to perform an extreme test,“ said Guo. “If these seeds can thrive in the poorest conditions, they will be well-suited to the natural environments across a broader part of Xizang.“

　　The team chose six space-bred forages, including broadleaf chicory and string-leaf rosin, for their cold resistance, disease resistance, and high nutrition and yield. The seeds ventured into space via Shenzhou-15 and Shenzhou-16 manned spacecraft.

　　Their successful cultivation could significantly boost feed production, helping to address the grass-to-livestock balance issue.

　　Guo's team prepared the land and set up a greenhouse nursery to analyze the growth of the seedlings. Yuan Zhongquan, 66, the oldest member of the team, endured altitude sickness and worked in the field for 48 days.

　　“The grasses began to thrive, with some varieties growing over 40 centimeters by late August, surpassing our expectations,“ said Guo, adding that the overwintering process has been progressing well so far.

　　The planting of space-bred seeds in Xizang has proven to be a roaring success.