The research team of featured industrial crops of JAAS mainly focused on peanut (Arachis hypogaea) and Chinese Trichosanthes (Trichosanthes kirilowii Maxim), including the utilization of resources, breeding of new varieties, breeding technology, development of production technologies, large-scale tissue culture, genetic research of tolerance & quality traits, and other industrial supporting technologies. We aim to provide scientific and technological support for the sustainable development of featured industrial crops inside and outside Jiangsu.

Peanut (Arachis hypogaea) is a traditional oil and industrial crop in Jiangsu, and also recognized as a healthy snack in the world. Since the the 13th Five-Year Plan, through the mutation, hybridization and molecular assisted breeding, we continuously launched a series of special peanut varieties for oil, processing and fresh-eating, including "Ningtai 9922" (for oil and processing), "Suhua 0537" (for fresh-eating), and other series of colorful or sweet varieties. Catering to the characteristics of different varieties, the green and simple cultivation technology system of peanut with high quality, high efficiency and easy replication has been integrated, and good economic benefits have been obtained. In addition, we explored the improvement of mechanical matching characteristics, innovation of special peanut products and the comprehensive utilization of peanut straw, for providing comprehensive support for the sustainable development of peanut industry.

Chinese Trichosanthes (Trichosanthes kirilowii Maxim) is a perennial Cucurbitaceae crop, and a typical dual-purpose plant for medicine and food. Its fruit, skin and root can all be used as medicine: the fruit is the main ingredient for the medicine for coronavirus pneumonia, the root is the main ingredient for the treatment of diabetes, and the seed is a fashionable and delicious public leisure food containing a variety of nutrients needed by human body. From the existing germplasm resources, we bred the first new variety of Chinese Trichosanthes "Sulou 1" in Jiangsu Province. A complete set of agronomic measures, planting technology and pest control technology systems have been improved and integrated, compiling the technical regulations for the production of Trichosanthes in Jiangsu. We also established an efficient tissue culture and rapid propagation technical system, providing technical support for the large-scale and standardization of Trichosanthes production.