May 11, 2018

China research augurs well for wheat quality

Chinese researchers have completed a study on wheat involving genome sequencing of the crop's A subgenome, generating a high-quality draft of its chromosomes, which could promote genetic improvements in cultivated wheat, Xinhua reported on Thursday, May 10.

The report said researchers from the Institute of Genetics and Developmental Biology have generated a molecular map of seven chromosomes of the wheat A sub-genome and identified 41,507 protein-coding genes, providing high-quality genomic information and a new perspective for studying genetic variation in wheat.

Besides A sub-genome, commonly cultivated wheat contains B and D. These genomes are huge and complex, about 40 times larger than rice genomes. 

China is the world's largest producer of wheat, harvesting about 130 million tonnes yearly on 24 million hectares.

Researchers believe the sequencing will help improve competitiveness in the wheat industry, safeguard food security, and boost the quality and efficiency as well as sustainable development of agriculture.