In the early spring, the fields are full of rapeseed blossoms. With a gentle breeze blowing, the flowers sway like waves of gold. To celebrate this beautiful sight, the College of Plant Sciences & Technology organized a series of immersion activities for appreciation and education under the theme of “Golden Rapeseed”. These activities include the Shishan Rapeseed Flower Stalk Feast, Multi-colored Rapeseed Flower Arrangement, Soapmaking with Rapeseed Flower, and Springtime Stroll.
Open Up New Horizons for Rapeseed: “One Vegetable, Multiple Uses”
“I didn’t expect flower stalk to be cooked in so many ways.” The Shishan rapeseed flower stalk tasting feast showcased a variety of dishes that left the participants amazed. From juice to fried rice, from pancakes to congee and sautéed vegetables, they were all made with flower stalks, providing students with the flavor of spring. The rapeseed flower stalks handpicked by the students were not only bright green in color, but also juicy, crunchy, and tasty. “The creative flower stalk juice tastes sweet and refreshing with a unique flavor,” said the teachers and students. The Shishan rapeseed flower stalk was bred by Professor Ma Chaozhi and the rapeseed team after 16-year research, making it the first edible rapeseed variety in China and receiving related patents. “The amounts of calcium and vitamin C in Shishan Rapeseed flower stalk are comparable to those of fresh milk and kiwi. In addition, it is rich in various nutrients,” said Ma Chaozhi. As an innovative achievement of the rapeseed team, it makes students directly experience the charm of rapeseed.
Shishan Rapeseed Flower Stalk Feast [Photo/He Zhongnan]
Besides its tasty stalk, rapeseed is also visually appealing. In mid-March, the College of Plant Sciences & Technology hosted a flower arranging party. More than 50 teachers and students gathered on the rooftop of the No. 3 Multi-functional Building to explore the mysteries of colorful rapeseed flowers. PhD Candidate Ye Shenhua introduced his team’s research achievements, rapeseed as an ornamental, their improvement mechanism, and the like. In addition to edible value, multi-colored rapeseed flowers can be hybridized to obtain high-yield and multi-colored varieties, resulting in greater economic benefits. Associate Professor Wen Jing believed that as a floral material, multi-colored rapeseed flower was highly ornamental and could be used as focal flowers or filler flowers, which is distinctive. “It is my first time to arrange multi-colored rapeseed flowers. It’s a romantic way to express our love for our college, our life and ourselves ,” Wen added.
Rapeseed Flower Arrangement [Photo/Huang Ming]
Rapeseed Flowers Bring Teachers and Students Closer
In another activity “Springtime Stroll”, nearly a thousand teachers and students participated, walking around the campus from the No. 3 Multi-functional Building to the Third Experimental Field, and from the South Lake to the Shizishan Mountain. On the ten-kilometer journey, they admired the picturesque rapeseed flowers while sharing interesting stories with laughter. Professor Ren Xifeng and his team also joined the activity. “Spring has come and flowers are in bloom. It’s good for you to get closer to nature by exercising and appreciating the beauty of our campus,” said Zhang Qin, the secretary of the fourth party branch of the crop genetics and breeding major. “During the two-hour journey, everyone was enthusiastic. Along the way, faculty and students talked freely about study and life and took pictures at each stop. We can feel the warmth and vitality of the research group.”
Making Soap with Rapeseed Flower [Photo/Huang Ming]
Additionally, the soap-making activity was held at the Wenxue Café, with the hope of preserving this golden moment towards the end of the rape season. Dozens of teachers and students tried to add the golden flowers to the soap in various ways. “I was excited seeing the raw materials turn into handmade soaps,” said Zhang Siyu, a master student.
70-Year Evolution of a Rapeseed
The College of Plant Sciences & Technology, together with the HZAU rapeseed team, hosted the “Rapeseed Team History” exhibition on the first floor of the No. 3 Multi-functional Building, showcasing the decades-long development of the rapeseed team from its history, profile, representative achievements, and academic influence.
HZAU’s research on rapeseed genetic improvement began in the early 1950s, initiated by renowned scientist Liu Houli, the founder of rapeseed science in China. As an inheritor, Prof. Fu Tingdong (a member of the Chinese Academy of Engineering ) led the team to grow, ushering in three major changes in the rapeseed industry. From 1995 to 2018, HZAU ranked first worldwide in the number of SCI articles in the Brassicaceae field, with over 95% of articles from the rapeseed team. Meanwhile, they achieved a series of significant accomplishments characterized by “being oil oriented, tailored to local conditions, and multiple utilized.” It is the victory of generations of scholars, who have been working tirelessly and strategically planning. Associate professor Wang Bo, the advisor of the event, stated that this exhibition could help students better understand the disciplinary characteristics and history of the College, and draw inspiration from the stories of the pioneers.
Rapeseed Team History Exhibition [Photo/Zhang Siyu]
During the event, Prof. Guo Liang (Vice Dean of College of Plant Sciences & Technology) visited the Wenxue Café, sharing his experience of transforming from a beginner to an outstanding researcher with over 30 master students. He encouraged them to make early career planning and work step by step toward their goals, saying, “As young students, work hard while you have enough time. Don’t be afraid of failure.”
Prof. Guo Liang talks with students [Photo/ Qin Chuwei]
Guided by “leading master students to the academic frontier”, the College of Plant Sciences & Technology integrated its discipline characteristics into the recreational activities. The rapeseed flower tour allowed faculty and students to enjoy the beauty of rapeseed as well as learn about its related knowledge. Combining “scene” and “discipline”, the event created a strong atmosphere for scientific research and teacher-student rapport.
Source: http://news.hzau.edu.cn/2023/0413/66160.shtml
Translated by: Zhang Qiongfang
Supervised by: Guo Haiyan
