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Plant Breeding
U of S crop scientists help crack the wheat genome code
The journal Science published the highest quality genome sequence produced to date for the bread wheat variety Chinese Spring, which would lead to further innovation in wheat breeding and improving the crop.
August 22, 2018 By University of Saskatchewan
Wheat is one of the world’s most widely planted cereal, but with a genome five times larger than the human genome, it has been difficult to improve. The published research provides a clearer picture of the wheat genome, allowing for wheat geneticists to search for genes that could boost wheat harvests more easily. Some wheat geneticists have been given early access to the research and speak to what a difference it’s made already in their research.
For the past 13 years, more than 200 scientists from 73 research institutions in 20 countries have been involved with the project. A University of Saskatchewan (U of S)-led research team played a key role in the international discovery. | READ MORE
In 2013, Top Crop Manager profiled U of S’s Curtis Pozniak and his team’s contribution to the International Wheat Genome Sequencing Consortium (IWGSC) wheat genome initiative, providing a look into the start of the project.
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Related:
- A balancing act – improving pre-harvest sprouting tolerance in wheat and barely without hampering spring germination or the malting process.
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