A decodificação do genoma pode levar ao aumento da produção.
For the first time, scientists have decoded the full DNA sequence of the potato plant. Details of the achievement are published in the journal, Nature. The discovery could help to boost food production. Reportagem de John Ironmonger.
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The humble potato is in fact the world's fourth largest food crop, with a global annual yield of around 330 million tonnes.
In an international project lasting several years, researchers have successfully recorded its complete chemical blueprint, deciphering and organising hundreds of millions of pieces of genetic coding.
By mapping the plant's genome scientists can locate the genes that control various traits, like colour, starchiness and flavour, leading to the creation of improved varieties at a much quicker pace.
Professor Iain Gordon from the James Hutton Institute in Dundee, which headed the British team, said the genome sequence would allow breeders to develop new types that are more nutritious, resistant to pests and diseases and easier to cultivate.
He said the breakthrough could help to meet the challenge of feeding the world's soaring population.
Jon Ironmonger, BBC News
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hamble (comum) ordinary
food crop (cultivo de vegetais plantados em larga escala para alimentação) collection of plants grown in large amounts cultivated for eating
a global annual yield (produção total mundial em um ano) total world production in a year
chemical blueprint (instruções biológicas) biological instructions
deciphering (decifrando) descovering the meaning (of something)
traits (características) characteristics, features
starchiness (porção de carboidrato) carbohydrate content
breeders (criador) a person that keeps animals for reproduction
breakthrough (grande conquista ou sucesso que possibilita avanços futuros) major achievement or success that permits further progress
soaring (crescendo rapidamente) rapidily increasing