Chapter 293 Scientific Research Indicators
About increasing the yield of a crop, this is a very interesting topic.
Take potatoes as an example. Before the colonists brought them from the New World to the Old World, the yield of potatoes in the hands of the indigenous people in the New World was about 80-100 kilograms per mu, which was not a very high number.
In the old world, due to the development of agricultural technology and the progress of biology, through various methods such as improved seed breeding and scientific planting, the yield of potatoes per mu has been rapidly increased.
Take wheat as an example. In the hundreds of years from the 12th century to the 18th century in the original world, there was not much improvement in wheat production.
But in just a few decades from 1770 to 1810, the yield of wheat per acre in Europe doubled.
At the same time, the yield of potatoes was six times that of wheat, and the water and heat required to grow potatoes was only half that of wheat. It only takes four months to mature. If you are diligent, you can grow two crops a year. .
You can imagine how exaggerated the potato production was during this period.
In fact, in Europe in the original world, it was precisely because of the amazing yield of potatoes that the European population experienced rapid development after the Industrial Revolution.
In this world, the role played by potatoes is naturally no less important. For the rapid expansion of the empire's population, potatoes can be said to be the most important contributors.
So in the north, when Purficott was thinking about solving the food problem, potatoes became her first choice.
After all, potatoes are good food and food. When eaten as a staple food, they are nutritious and have a soft and glutinous texture. They are a very satiating food.
But potatoes also involve many problems. If potatoes are really regarded as a staple food, we need to consider the possibility of an event similar to the Great Famine in Ireland in the original world.
But these are easy to solve. After all, there is alchemy and magic in this world, and it is relatively easy to improve potato varieties.
“This is the first research task I assigned to the Northern Branch of the Royal Academy of Sciences, to improve a new potato variety with a yield of 500 kilograms per mu within three years.” Ficott faced the biologists and agriculturalists in front of him and assigned them a research task: "I have done some research. The current yield of potatoes grown in the empire is about two hundred kilograms per acre, so you need to Let their yield per acre be doubled.”
Having said this, Purficott looked at the embarrassed expressions on the faces of these scientists and did not show any tolerance for this.
She just said to these scientists in a calm tone: "This may indeed be difficult, but considering some key factors that cannot be disclosed to you yet, this order must be completed.
< br>So I don’t care what method you use, or what means you adopt, as long as the potato yield per mu in the north can reach the 500 kilograms I require in the future.
This is related to the future of the empire. Life and death, I hope you can pay enough attention to and understand this. "
For people who engage in scientific research, what they fear and hate most is undoubtedly this kind of setting indicators for scientific research. things.
After all, scientific research is full of uncertainties, and no one can guarantee that the results will be what is expected.
In this case, setting a clear target indicator does seem unrealistic to some extent.
But for Purficott, she does not care about the mood of these scientists. She cares about whether the results she wants can be achieved. "Your Majesty, we can only do our best in response to your request." A scientist explained to Purficott bravely. He hoped that Perficott could take back his life: "After all, scientific research is full of unknowns. There is no guarantee that we will be able to double potato production within two years.
That is not scientific research, but a miracle created by magic.
So we hope you can give us more time, or give us more room for maneuver, we..."
"Did I not make it clear enough? For the sake of the future and survival of the empire, I ask you to increase the potato yield per mu to at least 500 kilograms within two years. Purficott did not give the scientist a good look. She started to look a little angry at this time: "This is an order, not a discussion with you!" If you can't do it, find a group of people who can! You can't do it, the empire has plenty of scientists to do this! ”
Hearing this, the faces of all the scientists became ugly.
But they also knew clearly that they could not afford to offend Perfectcott. She That's basically what it says.
In this land in the north, Purficott's orders are still effective.
Even in the empire itself, Purficott's orders are usually effective, and it is impossible for all major departments in the empire to offend the northern earl.
So, when Purficott showed an attitude of refusing to give up, and still said "If you don't do it, others will do it", these scientists quickly gave up.
They began to discuss in low voices how to improve the potato production in order to more than double the potato yield per acre.
This kind of planting must plunder the soil itself to obtain resources. It can be said that after a few times, the originally fertile soil will naturally turn into sand. In serious cases, it can even destroy the entire world.
So the use of chemical fertilizers is almost inevitable.
In order to increase potato yield per acre, Purficott did not limit the methods used by these scientists.
"By the way, I would also like to remind you that the winter in the north is very cold, so these potatoes will be grown indoors in a greenhouse, so you are allowed to apply chemical fertilizers and use modern agricultural farming techniques." Purficott's attitude was serious and solemn: "All I want is a yield of 500 kilograms per mu. As for the rest, it has nothing to do with me. No matter what technology and construction plan you use, I can accept it.
< br>Remember, I only want a yield of 500 kilograms of potatoes per acre! If I can’t do it, I’ll find a new group of people who can do it.”
While saying this, Purficott said. He also released his mental pressure in a timely manner, which left a very deep impression on these academic experts.
The scientists were undoubtedly frightened, but they also understood Purficott's determination from her words.
Obviously, no one dared to be careless in the face of the notorious Purficott, and they all assured that they would be able to complete the task.
There is no doubt that there is no fundamental difference between the scientists who just now said that they can only do their best in this matter and the current group of people who promise that they can do everything.
(End of this chapter)