China's third nationwide survey of agricultural germplasm resources, which began in March 2021, has been completed with fruitful results, the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs said on Tuesday.

From 2021 to 2023, the survey covered 2,323 agricultural counties across the country, including 332 not covered by the previous two surveys. The latest survey also expanded its scope to include agricultural germplasm resources in arid zones, plateaus, border regions, and areas with ethnic group members, the ministry noted.

As a result of the survey, around 139,000 pieces of crop germplasm resources were collected. In addition, a comprehensive mapping of livestock and poultry resources was completed, leading to the identification of 51 new local species. Compared to the second survey, 10 species that had been previously declared extinct were rediscovered. Efforts to save and conserve rare species were also carried out during the survey.

This survey marks the first time that aquaculture germplasm resources were included. According to Liu Xinzhong, director of the ministry's bureau of fisheries, 857 aquaculture germplasm resources were collected.

Liu Lihua, director of the ministry's department of seed industry, said: "This three-year-long survey, the largest in scale, with the widest coverage and the most participants, has mapped the number of species, regional distribution, and characteristics of germplasm resources for crops, livestock, poultry, and aquaculture in China."

Li Shangyi contributed to this story.