<p>The six-year study carried out by the Potato Genome Sequencing Consortium (PGSC), comprising 97 experts from 14 nations, revealed that a potato contains about 39,000 genes.<br /><br />Qu Dongyu, an expert with the Crop Science Society of China, said that the study helped discover genes responsible for insect resistance and growth of potatoes.<br /><br />The sequencing will enable experts to create new varieties of potatoes that are high in yield, quality and more resistant to insects and diseases, Xinhua quoted Qu as saying.<br />Huang Sanwen, an expert with CAAS, added that it would also help accelerate the breeding process of new seeds from 12 years to about five years.<br /><br />China is the world's top potato grower, with nearly six million hectares of land under its plantation annually.<br /></p>
<p>The six-year study carried out by the Potato Genome Sequencing Consortium (PGSC), comprising 97 experts from 14 nations, revealed that a potato contains about 39,000 genes.<br /><br />Qu Dongyu, an expert with the Crop Science Society of China, said that the study helped discover genes responsible for insect resistance and growth of potatoes.<br /><br />The sequencing will enable experts to create new varieties of potatoes that are high in yield, quality and more resistant to insects and diseases, Xinhua quoted Qu as saying.<br />Huang Sanwen, an expert with CAAS, added that it would also help accelerate the breeding process of new seeds from 12 years to about five years.<br /><br />China is the world's top potato grower, with nearly six million hectares of land under its plantation annually.<br /></p>