'Paddy 3,000 years' is specially protected because of the hot sun

After more than 10 days, the grains of rice revealed from the soil layer dating back to 3,000 have grown into seedlings. The largest tree has a height of 15 cm and has no unusual signs.

In the afternoon of May 20, in the fierce sunshine of Hanoi, 10 seeds of germinated rice received from the archaeological delegation at Thanh Den relic were forced to be taken away. Instead of being cultivated and left out by the experts of the Agricultural Genetics Institute (under the Institute of Agricultural Sciences, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development), grains (now seeded) must be taken into the lab.

"Today's outdoor temperature sometimes reaches 42 degrees, we have to bring these seedlings away from the sun from 11am, bring it outside to the cage after 4pm , " said Dr. Pham Xuan Hoi, Head of the Pathology Department. molecules, who directly take care of the seedlings said.

In the afternoon of May 20, the seedlings growing from "paddy 3,000 years" must be put into the lab to avoid the sun. The white plastic tray on the right has 8 trees, received from May 12, two plants received on May 16. On the top, left tray Photo: Nguyen Hung.

According to Dr. Hoi, the Institute received 10 grains of paddy in two batches. The first was on 12/5 with 8 seeds, the second had 2 seeds on May 16. When received, the grains were sprouted into plated. This plating number is planted in outdoor plastic tray, protected in 2 net house layers to avoid birds, rats, bugs . Land for planting plots is taken from rice fields in An Khanh area, not fertilizing.

According to measurement data on May 20, of the 8 trees received from the first phase, there are two trees 15 cm high and the lowest 3 cm. Two trees received in the next phase grow equally. In addition, to control, Mr. Hoi planted more plated with 3 rice varieties of Vietnam and India. After every 5 days, experts from the Agricultural Genetics Institute will measure and record the development of these rice plants.

Comments on morphology, Dr. Hoi said, although receiving the same batch, the seedlings grow unevenly due to different germination times. "In addition to the thin, narrow leaves, the seedlings grow normally and are equivalent to the current varieties," Mr. Hoi said.

According to the doctor, if exactly the ancient rice varieties, their growth rings will be longer than the current varieties. The current growth of rice is usually more than 3 months, while the old rice varieties last 4-6 months. "In the short term, we will try to make the tree grow and produce seeds. Some seeds will have conditions to do a lot of experiments , " Mr. Hoi said.

There are 2 seedlings that are 15 cm tall.According to Dr. Pham Xuan Hoi, in addition to the slightly slender, narrow morphology, the seedlings grown from '3,000-year-old rice' grow no differently than modern rice varieties Photo: Nguyen Hung.

However, this doctor proved to be quite concerned by the growing trees at the time of the off-season. In the case of extreme hot weather, the Agricultural Genetics Institute will use the method of splitting buds in the laboratory to preserve the seeds and plant them in the next season.

Dr. Pham Xuan Hoi also proposed a relatively simple treatment to date ancient grain seeds by going to Thanh Den site to find more rice seeds in soil layers dating back thousands of years ago. After that, select the seeds, bring them to soak them, sow them for germination, nurture and take care .

"In short, do it from start to finish according to a closed process to eliminate the possibility of foreign grain seeds falling in," Dr. Hoi said.

Talking to VnExpressnet, Dr. Lam Thi My Dung said that the proposal of Dr. Hoi was also recognized by the archaeological team in advance. The delegation even asked the experts of the Agricultural Genetics Institute to go down to excavate the grains directly. The remains of the Amaranthite are still in the excavation process, the potential of finding grain seeds (capable of germination) is huge.

"This morning we found 4 more grains of rice, of which 2 seeds were able to germinate and were immediately preserved in a humid plastic box environment , " said Dr. Dung.

According to the female doctor, Professor Phan Huy Le was also present and witnessed the archaeological team found new grains.

"After several times of finding ancient germinated seeds, we have more experience to eliminate all possibilities such as wind, rain . causing excavated relics to be contaminated with samples , " said Dung. to speak.

However, Dr. Dung affirmed that, even before the discovery of "3,000-year-old paddy rice," her excavation team had worked very well. Therefore, she affirmed that the seeds of germinated seeds are dated to the date of the Dong Dau culture, equivalent to 3,000-3,500 years ago.