The final evaluation meeting of the project “Cultivation and breeding of high-biomass bioenergy plants and directional recombination for comprehensive utilization and demonstration of biomass” was held successfully in Changsha from May 17 to 19, 2019. Prof. Peng Zhang, together with Dr. Qiuxiang Ma and Mrs. Xinlu Lu, was attended the event. As the key project related to bioenergy development of the National Key Technology Research and Development Program of China during the twelfth five-year Plan, SCCB chaired the task of “Regulation technology for efficient starch accumulation and breeding for high starch lines”. After the questioning, answering and discussion, the final evaluation of the project was finalized.

During the meeting, the team also paid a visit to Changsha Research Station of CCARS in Hunan Agricultural University and exchanged the views of bilateral collaboration and talent management with Prof. Yong Song. They also visited the raw material and food processing laboratory and tasted the cassava food products made by Prof. Song's team. Peng also gave a seminar with the title of “Biotechnological Advances in Root Crops: from Genome to Trait Improvement” for the teachers and students from college of Horticulture and Landscape. The visit intensifies the academic exchange and collaboration between members of CCARS.