Current research on the genetic improvement of crops have been highlighted in the January 2007 issue of Agricultural Research magazine. PSNL scientists are applying genomics and related sciences such as proteomics and computational biology to improve the nutritional value of leading crops, as well as boost crop plants' resistance to disease and their tolerance to soils lacking nutrients or containing toxic amounts of metals.

Among the research mentioned in the report were

• the use of bacterial pathogen Pseudomonas syringae DC3000 as a model system for studying virulence-related genes


• using tomato and cauliflower as models for improving crops' nutritional qualities


• using genomics to identify natural variation in agronomically important traits in maize


• using genomic and molecular genetic techniques to improve crop-plant cultivation on marginal, and even highly acidic, soils


• using genomics to find genes that regulate plant virus transmission by insect vectors

More details from the full report, "Improving Crop Plants Through Genomics".