BBC Learning English Words in the News 15th July 2011 Scientists map potato genome 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. This report is from Jon Ironmonger: 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 Words in the News © British Broadcasting Corporation 2011 Page 1 of 2 bbclearningenglish.com Vocabulary and definitions humble ordinary food crop collection of plants grown in large amounts cultivated for eating a global annual yield total world production in a year chemical blueprint biological instructions deciphering discovering the meaning (of something) traits characteristics, features starchiness carbohydrate content breeders people who keep plants or animals for reproduction breakthrough major achievement or success that permits further progress soaring rapidly increasing More on this topic: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-14096485 Read and listen to the story and the vocabulary online: http://www.bbc.co.uk/worldservice/learningenglish/language/wordsinthenews/2011/07/110715_witn_potato_page.shtml Words in the News © British Broadcasting Corporation 2011 Page 2 of 2 bbclearningenglish.com