India Sets Three-Year Target to Sequence Wheat Genome

India is going to complete the sequencing of the wheat genome in the next three years, according to agricultural research council ICAR.

MOSCOW (Sputnik) – India’s agricultural research council ICAR aims to sequence the wheat genome by 2018, local media reported Sunday.

"All other partners of the International Wheat Genome Sequencing Consortium including India target to complete the sequencing in the next three years,” the Economic Times quoted ICAR as saying.

In a Right To Information (RTI) response, the council said it had achieved partial success in sequencing the entire wheat genome.

ICAR said its work was expected to bring about new traits in future wheat varieties, including resistance to drought and better yield.

It added that the timetable for identifying wheat genome sequencing could lead to the crop’s future reproduction at double the pace.

The International Wheat Genome Sequencing Consortium, a 1,100-member group established in 2005 and spanning 55 countries, works to advance wheat improvement and ensure profitability of the essential food crop.