For a qualified Biological Sage, adjusting the genes of plants and animals is a very simple matter.
After all, in the Dark Age of Technology, humanity had already pushed biochemical modification technology and genetic engineering technology to an incredible height.
While using gene editing to give organisms innate, pre-set memories was a masterpiece most proficiently created by the Old Ones, humanity in the Dark Age of Technology was not incapable of achieving it.
For instance, the Emperor used similar technology when creating Space Marine, allowing Space Marine to inherit combat skills through Gene-Seed.
The technology of the Dark Age of Technology was even more outrageous—Squats could edit their own genes according to actual needs, allowing newly born individuals to be naturally proficient in various different jobs.
Although the Adeptus Mechanicus failed to fully inherit the powerful gene coding technology of the Dark Age of Technology, simply adjusting the genes of crops to exhibit different traits was still effortless for them.
Especially for a Biological Sage like Ovilia, her research topic was precisely the transformation of planetary ecosystems, and constructing agricultural micro-ecosystems happened to fall within her area of expertise.
This was also the main reason she was willing to agree to Alex's request—this research directly helped her thesis.
After all, to transform a planet's ecosystem, building a self-sustaining ecological system was precisely her goal.
In comparison, the self-cycling agricultural ecosystem in the hydroponic farm could only be considered a small practice project.
Despite this, Ovilia did not take the simplicity of the project lightly.
She meticulously constructed a complete planting system and, through her network, acquired a batch of high-yield crop seeds for Alex.
These seeds, after her genetic adjustments, could grow efficiently in a three-dimensional composite planting environment, making full use of every inch of space and every bit of resource.
Not only that, Ovilia also introduced animals into this ecological system.
She collected several animals suitable for living in enclosed environments from across the galaxy and genetically modified them to ensure they could coexist harmoniously with the crops.
These animals could not only help control pests but also provide additional organic fertilizer to the system, further optimizing the ecological cycle.
For example, a small insect from an agricultural planet was introduced for pollination, while a tiny rodent from a jungle planet was used to clear crop residue.
Ovilia's system was not merely to satisfy Alex's needs but also a practical application of her own research.
She hoped to gain experience through this project for future, larger-scale planetary ecological transformations.
After all, transforming a planet's ecosystem is far more complex than building a hydroponic farm's ecosystem, and this small project at hand is a cornerstone for her stepping towards larger goals.
—
"According to your requirements, with wheat, the main crop currently cultivated by the Empire, as the core, paired with a genetically edited leguminous plant, plus two vegetables I discovered and improved locally in Rostov, I have built this planting system," Ovilia said, standing beside a set of hydroponic cultivation tanks, showcasing her work to Alex.
Her voice carried a hint of pride, but more so, a rigorous explanation of details.
She showed Alex a completed circulatory sample that had already been set up.
In the cultivation tank, the roots of the wheat intertwined with the nodules of the leguminous plants, forming a dense, net-like structure.
The leaves of the two vegetables glowed a healthy green under the artificial light, while several small aquatic animals swimming in the tank occasionally nibbled on the crop roots and stems.
These animals were carefully selected by Ovilia; they could purify the water while their excretions provided natural nutrients to the water body.
"Besides these, I also put several aquatic animals in the cultivation tank; they feed on the roots and stems of the crops, and while purifying the water, they replenish nutrients to the water body through their excretions," Ovilia said, pointing to the organisms swimming in the tank, "This way, it can achieve what you requested: ensuring the self-maintenance of the entire ecological system without additional fertilizer and nutrient solutions."
She paused, then continued to explain: "However, this is not a completely closed circulatory system. You still need to use sunlight from the star to allow this system to obtain the energy it needs for growth, as well as provide oxygen and carbon dioxide.
Of course, the latter can be solved by recycling residual biomass after harvesting.
For example, we can convert crop residues into bio-fertilizer and reintroduce them into the system, further reducing reliance on external resources."
As Ovilia spoke, although her expression showed an uncontrollable pride, she still sighed with some regret: "Unfortunately, you requested a self-sustaining circulatory system that is close to a closed ecological system, which limits the output of this system.
It can probably only reach 80% of the maximum planting yield of a single crop, meaning that a hydroponic farm that could originally feed a billion people now only produces enough to feed eight hundred million people."
This was also the main reason Ovilia initially did not support Alex doing this, as the planting model of the Empire's agricultural worlds had been researched and improved by the Adeptus Mechanicus over hundreds and thousands of years.
Countless studies ensured that this model had pushed crop yields to the limit their genes could achieve.
However, Ovilia's tone shifted, and she changed her words, saying: "But it's not without its advantages. Because it's a self-sustaining circulatory system, it indeed doesn't require massive amounts of chemical fertilizers, which allows it to operate normally even without external support.
Moreover, this system is more stable and has stronger risk resistance. Even if external resource supply is interrupted, it can maintain itself for a considerable period."
Alex listened to her introduction, nodded, and his gaze lingered on the cultivation tank for a moment.
He could see that the wheat ears had already begun to head, the leguminous plants had also borne fruit, and the vegetable leaves looked exceptionally fresh under the light; the organisms in the tank swam leisurely, as if they naturally belonged to this system.
"Well done, Ovilia," Alex said approvingly, "Although the yield has decreased, its sustainability and stability are exactly what we need. Especially in the event of potential resource shortages in the future, this ecological planting system, which requires minimal external input, will play an important role!"
As Alex spoke, he suddenly turned to Ovilia, thought for a moment, and said: "I wonder if you would mind compiling the theoretical knowledge required to construct this system into a reference document?
After the hydroponic farm is built, I will need a large number of low-level Tech-Priests and workers to maintain it, and they can't do it without sufficient training."
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