A group of international researchers discover two new genes in the barley plant that will shed light on the history of agriculture and also bring new capabilities to barley breeding programs.
The new genes, Btr1 and Btr2, are completely new genetic discoveries and according to Geoff Fincher from the University of Adelaide in South Australia, they will revolutionize what we know about the domestication of the crop.
“This latest genomic information and the potential to introduce as yet unused wild barley traits may offer great new potential in our barley breeding programs,” said Fincher, who co-authored the study from the Australian Research Council (ARC) Centre of Excellence in Plant Cell Walls at the University’s School of Agriculture, Food and Wine.
More information is available here: http://www.theleadsouthaustralia.com.au/industries/primary-industries/two-new-barley-plant-genes-discovered/
