Chrysanthemum successfully planted at record-breaking altitude

Chinese researchers have successfully grown chrysanthemum at a record-breaking height of 3,000 meters above sea level in Qaidam Basin on the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau, Xinhua News Agency reported on Wednesday.

Researchers of Nanjing Agricultural University started an experimental plantation of various species of chrysanthemum last year in Ulan county in the east of the Qaidam Basin. The results showed that among the 151 species, 100 of them performed well in adapting to local climate conditions.

According to Wang Haibin, an associate professor at Nanjing Agricultural University and leader of the research team, the extremely cold weather (minus 20 degree Celsius) prevented the chrysanthemum aphid from surviving the harsh winter, which helped minimize the pests and disease challenges to the plants.

Based on the new set of technical standards developed by the researchers, chrysanthemum planting and processing has become an emerging industry promoted in Ulan county to boost local people's income.

The history of chrysanthemum research at Nanjing Agricultural University exceeds 70 years. There are over 5,000 chrysanthemum cultivars preserved in the university, the highest number in the world.