Scientists: We've cracked wheat's genetic code

[August 27, 2010]  LONDON (AP) -- British scientists say they've decoded the genetic sequence of wheat and are posting the data online.

The plant is among the world's most important crops and the researchers say the information could help farmers create disease-resistant strains of the global food staple.

University of Liverpool Scientist Neil Hall says the wheat genome was far longer than the human genome first unraveled 10 years ago. But he says the techniques used to decode genetic information have improved considerably, meaning the process took only about a year.

Hall and others worked on a strain of wheat known as Chinese Spring. Hall said Friday that his team would soon work to decode other varieties.

[Associated Press]

Copyright 2010 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.