Scientists from Britain, Germany and the US have identified the key components of genetic code of wheat, a move which could improve food security.
The scientists have identified 96,000 wheat genes and the links between them. The study was based on the raw data on wheat genome, which was published by the UK scientists in 2010.
The new study is expected to help researchers develop wheat varieties that are more productive and resistant to disease, drought and other crop stresses.
With the new tools, the breeders and researchers will be able to choose plants with desirable combination of genes, accelerating the development of new varieties. In addition, plants without the desirable traits could be rapidly eliminated.
The first varieties using the new study could be grown within five years, according to the researchers. This research was published in the journal Nature.
