A staff member collects space-bred seeds at Nanfan Breeding Research Center in Sanya, south China's Hainan Province, March 21, 2025. (Xinhua/Zhang Liyun)SANYA, March 21(Xinhua) -- These seeds were launched into space aboard China's reusable and returnable satellite, Shijian-19, to expose them to conditions like high vacuum, microgravity and cosmic radiation, which randomly cause genetic mutations.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.Staff member collect space-bred seeds at Nanfan Breeding Research Center in Sanya, south China's Hainan Province, March 21, 2025. (Xinhua/Zhang Liyun)Staff members collect space-bred seeds at Nanfan Breeding Research Center in Sanya, south China's Hainan Province, March 21, 2025. (Xinhua/Zhang Liyun)A staff member sorts and packs space-bred seeds at Nanfan Breeding Research Center in Sanya, south China's Hainan Province, March 21, 2025. (Xinhua/Zhang Liyun)