UGA researchers complete map of peanut plant

ATHENS - Researchers at the University of Georgia say they have completed the first comprehensive molecular map of the peanut plant - a breakthrough that could lead to advances for farmers. <br> <br> Andrew Paterson - director of the university&#39;s Plant Genome Mapping Laboratory says the map of peanut plant genes could help scientists breed peanuts that taste nuttier - fight off disease better and yield a better crop. <br> <br> The Georgia scientists - working with researchers at Texas A&M University - published their findings in the journal Genetics after five years of work. <br> <br> The scientists mapped a peanut that&#39;s a crossbreed of a commonly cultivated breed - the florunner - and a variety created synthetically with three wild peanut breeds. <br> <br> Using DNA-based technology, they developed genetic landmarks and determined how the landmarks are arranged within the peanut genome. <br> <br> Scientists will use the genetic map - the first of a common peanut variety - to help unravel what the genes do. Then peanut breeds can be selected with genes expressing desirable traits, such as resistance to drought or to nematodes, worms capable of devastating peanut crops.

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