Chinese scientists who sent vegetable seeds into space to investigate the effect of vacuum, radiation, and gravitational changes a few years ago found lower germination rates and poor yields from the subsequently planted crop. But in a surprise to many, the next generation seems to be superior to ordinary plants. These plants, descended from the original space-traveling seeds, are bearing more and bigger fruits that ripen 11 days earlier. Laboratory tests indicate that chlorophyll and vitamin contents are 20 percent higher than that seen in the normal earth-bound plants.

OTC news service, August 9, 1996.