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Ecology & Environment
Mahesh

12/08/22 07:15 AM IST

Scientists identify genes that can increase drought resistance in plants

In News 
  • Researchers have identified genes in Africa’s local food crops that can improve resistance to drought.
Orphan Crops 
  • Orphan crops are nutritious local food crops that could play a crucial role in combating hunger. These crops are not traded internationally but have adapted themselves to grow in harsh weather conditions.
  • African Orphan Crops Consortium (AOCC), works to address food security on the continent. The consortium had identified genes that were high temperature tolerant, had increased salinity adaptability and had low water requirements that provided essential nutrition.
  • This might be a solution to growing concerns of climate change hampering crop productivity.
  • Examples of Orphan Crops are buckwheat [Fagopyrum esculentum], quinoa [Chenopodium quinoa]), root crops (e.g., cassava [Manihot esculenta], sweet potato [Ipomoea batatas], and yam [Dioscorea spp.]), and legumes.
Source- Down To Earth 

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