Cracking Potato's Genetic Code

LIMA─ Scientists are attempting to crack potato’s genetic code in order to enable plant breeders to create seeds resistant to drought, disease and extreme temperature.

The white potato, Solanum Tuberosum, has 12 chromosomes and 840 million DNA base pairs. Scientists from 13 countries are trying to decode different pieces of that genome.

“Once the white potato genome is sequenced, researchers say it will become easier to identify genes in native and wild species of potatoes, which come in 5,000 varieties,” Reuters reported.

Scientists Race to Crack the Potato's Genetic Code

Source: Reuters