科学家首次破解了马铃薯这种作物的全部基因组。这一成果刊登在最新一期的《自然》期刊上。这一突破将有助于提高马铃薯产量。
The
humble1 potato is in fact the world's fourth largest food crop, with a global annual yield of around 330 million tonnes.
In an international project
lasting2 several years, researchers have successfully recorded its complete chemical
blueprint3, deciphering and organising hundreds of millions of pieces of
genetic4 coding.
By mapping the plant's genome scientists can locate the
genes5 that control various traits, like colour, starchiness and flavour, leading to the creation of improved varieties at a much quicker pace.
Professor Iain Gordon from the James Hutton Institute in Dundee, which headed the British team, said the genome sequence would allow breeders to develop new types that are more
nutritious6,
resistant7 to pests and diseases and easier to cultivate.
He said the breakthrough could help to meet the challenge of feeding the world's soaring population.
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