Agricultural scientists from the University of Georgia, the USDA, and countries around the world have spent the past five years mapping the genetic code of the peanut. This map has given scientists the ability to unlock some of the genetic potential of the peanut plant.
“Mapping the genetic code of the peanut proved to be an especially difficult task, but the final product is one of the best ever generated,” said Steve Brown, executive director of The Peanut Foundation (IPF). “We now have a map that will help breeders incorporate desirable traits that benefit growers, processors, and most importantly, the consumers that enjoy delicious and nutritious peanut products all over the world.”
Scientists from the U.S., China, Japan, Brazil, Argentina, Australia, India, Israel, and several countries in Africa have performed research that gives all peanut scientists the ability to find beneficial genes in cultivated and wild peanuts to use in breeding new peanut varieties. These traits can lead to greater yields, lower production costs, lower losses to disease, improved processing traits, improved nutrition, improved safety, better flavor and virtually anything that is genetically determined by the peanut plant.
“Study of peanut genome structure and order makes a great detective story, where many clues are found and linked together to unlock mysteries of genetics and gene regulation. This is exciting work,” said UGA College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences Professor and Georgia Research Alliance Eminent Scholar Scott Jackson, co-chair of the consortium.
To learn more about this exciting research from The University of Georgia, read more here.
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