Rare cliff cypress given new lease on life
Seed breeding program enables ancient tree to thrive in Chongqing nature reserve
Seed breakthrough
According to Huang Jiyong, director of the National Forest Germplasm Resource Bank of Thuja sutchuenensis in Kaizhou, this species faces significant threats, including poor natural regeneration due to its long reproductive cycle, seed infertility and low genetic diversity.
Additionally, external factors such as logging, harsh environmental conditions and invasive species pose further challenges to its survival.
With the introduction of mass seed propagation, Huang, who is also secretary of the State-owned Mayun Forest Farm, anticipates a promising year ahead.
"For the first time, our farm's cliff cypress trees are producing seeds on a large scale," he said.
In the wild, the trees bear cones irregularly due to their low genetic diversity and harsh environmental conditions. Under specialized care, cultivated trees are yielding over 10,000 cones each. Seed propagation slashes cultivation costs by 90 percent while producing healthier, more disease-resistant stock.
