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Key to drought resistant crops discovered

Scientists have pinpointed the “stay green” DNA in barley that could be the key to developing crops better able to thrive in areas of drought, heat, and salinity.

Nearly 300 barley accessions were studied from 35 countries in six geographic regions including Africa, Middle East Asia, North East Asia, Arabian Peninsula, Australia and Europe.

Using a molecular biology technique, 23 DNA sequence variations were discovered in the various types of barley, enabling researchers to find what was responsible for higher levels of the light harvesting chlorophyll.

Barley is an important cereal crop for both human food and animal feed.

Read more at The University of Western Australia

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