Biotech Updates

Study Provides Insight on Genetic Basis of Cucumber Domestication and Diversity

October 23, 2013

A research led by scientists from the Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences and other agricultural research centers in the country have presented a map of genome variation of cucumber. The scientists identified 112 putative domestication sweeps in the crop and one of these regions contains a gene which is involved in the loss of bitterness in fruits--an essential domestication trait of cucumber.

The scientists also investigated the genomic basis of divergence among the cultivated populations and discovered a natural genetic variant that could be used to breed cucumbers with enhanced nutritional value. The genomic history of cucumber evolution uncovered by scientists may further provide insights  for future genomics-enabled breeding.

Access the full journal article at http://www.nature.com/ng/journal/vaop/ncurrent/full/ng.2801.html.