Monday, May 22, 2017

Sunflower Genome Sequence to Provide Roadmap for More Resilient Crops - Science


John M. Burke is a professor of plant biology at the University of Georgia.

Credit: Paul Efland/UGA


University of Georgia researchers are part of an international team that has published the first sunflower genome sequence. This new resource will assist future research programs using genetic tools to improve crop resilience and oil production.

They published their findings today in the journal Nature.

- Main body of the article -

The authors concluded that this research reinforces the sunflower as a model for ecological and evolutionary studies and climate change adaptation, and will accelerate breeding programs.

"It will greatly facilitate our work to understand the molecular mechanisms underlying key traits related to abiotic stress resistance—things like drought, salinity and low nutrient resistance," Burke said. "This genome sequence will essentially serve as a genetic road map to pinpoint the genes underlying these sorts of traits."

Phys.org:  Sunflower genome sequence to provide roadmap for more resilient crops

They're gene hunters and that's not the main point which is they don't work for Monsanto.  There was protest yesterday regarding Monsanto and GMO.  (Ithaka:  The Ultracrepidarian Science of the Middlin' "Left")

So intent is the protest fury with Monsanto that they miss the fact GMO research and experimentation happen commonly and Monsanto has no monopoly on it.


Attacking Monsanto for its many crimes makes sense but protesting GMO on the basis of Monsanto alone makes not much sense at all.

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