Chapter 52: Chapter 52 New Experiment 1
Translator: 549690339 —
The two of them headed to the laboratory.
Before designing an optimized seed plan and conducting the experiment Link planned to carry out a directed breeding and screening process on the Silver Star Flower Seeds.
The specific method involved using a new germination technique to sprout the Silver Star Flower Seeds, then cultivating them using traditional methods. Once the Silver Star Flowers matured and seeded, he would select the qualified seeds, and proceed with the new germination and cultivation techniques. This would be repeated for several cycles until the rate of high-quality seeds reached a saturation point beyond which it could not continue to improve. Only then would the Silver Star Flower Seeds be truly ideal experimental material.
This process also served to validate the positive effect of the new germination method on the yield of high-quality Silver Star Flower Seeds.
However, it would not be as comprehensive as the third group of experiments in the previous experiment plan (as described in Chapter 30).
Even though the collected data had statistical significance after processing, the lack of a control group meant there were flaws in validity and reliability Thus they were not suitable as a basis for writing a “paper”.
“Jasmine, come help me.”
Link called to Jasmine. The Silver Star Flower Seeds he had bought were carefully selected and pre-processed, with any inferior seeds showing even a hint of a vitality problem discarded.
This was a meticulous task, requiring patience.
“Alright-”
Jasmine responded playfully, her voice lilting up at the end, drawing out the last syllable.
A little over a quarter of an hour later, the Silver Star Flower Seeds were all sorted.
After packing the selected seeds, Link, based on the available literature utilized the laboratory’s materials to prepare a nutrient solution for the’Silver Star Flower Seeds.
The germination and cultivation technique in the laboratory, unlike the greenhouses where there’s soil, uses hydroponics.
This required the preparation of a specific nutrient solution.
Fortunately, Link had read relevant literature and was not unfamiliar with the process.
He first found the source of the relevant data in the Hall of Mind, then used his memory terminal to pull up the document and handed it to Jasmine. “Take a look at this first, so you have a general idea.”
Jasmine took the memory terminal and started reading earnestly.
A research assistant needed to be nurtured carefully, not just used as a tool.
Otherwise, why would one need a research assistant? Wouldn’t an Intelligent Puppet be enough?
Link made every effort to ensure that Jasmine understood not only what they were researching and experimenting on but also why.
That way, Jasmine could grow and offer Link more and greater assistance in the future.
Interestingly, as with the library, memory terminals could access the Advanced Literature Library in the experimental building.
Neither the teaching building nor the dormitory allowed this access.
Other locations, like the Administrative Building, had not been tested by Link yet, so he was unsure of their status.
However, the office computers perched on desk tops definitely had access.
The teaching building was a place for learning textbook content and knowledge taught by instructors, so understanding beyond the syllabus wasn’t necessary. This was somewhat understandable.
But what about the dormitory?
Why was the Advanced Literature Library inaccessible there?
Link didn’t know the reason but didn’t dwell on it.
If he needed to look up advanced literature, he could simply go to the library or return to the experimental building. It wasn’t troublesome.
By the time Jasmine had finished reading the document, Link had already completed the preliminary preparation for nutrient solution configuration.
He motioned for Jasmine to take over the making of the nutrient solution- a combination of theory and practice.
Link then began to explore how to use the various equipment in the Botanical Laboratory as per the instructions.
After some exploration and comparisons, Link successfully mastered the use of the equipment.
Once the nutrient solution was properly prepared, Link explained how and why he set parameters such as air humidity, light duration, and light intensity while also operating the equipment.
It was a beneficial teaching moment.
The nutrient solution needed to be left standing for some time, so they could only begin germination the following morning.
With all the parameters set, the two of them didn’t linger and left the laboratory.
Since the afternoon’s class was the practical section of “Human Anatomy”, they d!dn’t need to leave the experimental building but merely moved from the third basement floor to the fourth floor.
There was still some time before class started, so Link took out pen and paper and wrote some information that research assistants needed to know in advance.
This focused mainly on the access and navigation methods to the Advanced Literature Library’s “Paper” and “Patent” pages.
As for knowledge concerning the research system, research methodology, experiment plan design, and composition, Link had found some of the information and was in the process of learning and collating it.
Because the information was scattered and lacked a systematic structure, he didn’t rush to inform Jasmine in order to avoid mistakes and omissions. ’ The experiment wasn’t urgent, and they could proceed slowly.
During this progression, Link could guide Jasmine to gradually learn about the Wizard World’s research system.
After handing over the note to Jasmine, Link continued to design the experimental plan.
Thanks to the Mind Closure Technique, and with the aid of the Hall of Mind
Link managed to recall some high school biology knowledge from his previous
It is widely known that there are several main methods for plant breeding:
One, mutation breeding, which relies on genetic mutation;
Two, hybrid breeding, which relies on genetic recombination;
Three, polyploid breeding, which relies on chromosomal mutation;
Four, haploid breeding, which relies on chromosomal mutation;
Five, genetic engineering breeding (transgenic breeding), which relies on genetic recombination;
Six, cell engineering breeding;
Seven, plant hormone breeding.
Link wouldn’t overly rely on the knowledge from his previous life, but he also wouldn’t underestimate these crystallized wisdoms of countless predecessors.
This information might not all be applicable to the Wizard World, but they could play some role, such as inspiring thoughts.
Combining his current knowledge and the literature he had read up till now, and inspired by “Pomona Sprout’s Botanical Talent”, Link believed that mutation breeding and hybrid breeding were relatively suitable for the Silver Star Flower Seeds’ optimization.
Taking into consideration his limited knowledge and financial conditions, Link maliy decided to use hybrid breeding as the method for the first phase of the experiment.
If the experimental results meet expectations, then this would be the only phase of the experiment.
optimizing the Silver Star Flower Seeds was not just for Link’s personal desire but also to demonstrate to Wizard Palo that Link was not wasting a laboratory that was so advanced for a Wizard Apprentice.
If the experimental results were below expectations or didn’t match them, they could consider initiating a second phase of the experiment and changing the experimental method.
Hybrid breeding, where the principle is genetic recombination, involves continuous self-pollination and continuous selection (offspring generated from different individuals interbreeding, then continually self-pollinating and selecting the required homozygotes).
Genetic recombination refers to non-ailelic genes on non-homologous chromosomes freely combining to produce new genotypes.
The “Botany” course also included concepts such as “genes”, “chromosomes”,
“sexual reproduction”, and “meiosis”, although the terminology differed slightly.
After translation, they aligned.
Once the general direction was established, the next step was to fill in the details, such as whether to perform intraspecific hybridization, interspecific hybridization, intergenic hybridization or gradual hybridization.
This wasn’t something that could be accomplished overnight, it required meticulous work.
Fortunately, the several rounds of breeding and selection for the Silver Star Flower Seeds also required a considerable amount of time.
Link had both the time and the patience..