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The idea is to produce a super oat variety that’s resilient, with better resistance to diseases and higher nutritional values
The full oat genome mapping endeavor was announced by US based companies PepsiCo and Corteva Agriscience. The genome mapping, which took four months to complete, will be made available for open-source applications.
The two companies have partnered to develop oat varieties that are resistant to diseases and offer better nutritional values, and are publicly releasing the genome to continue to broadly advance crop research. It is expected to improve on supply chain resilience, milling efficiency.
René Lammers, Chief Scientific Officer at PepsiCo said that making the genome available for open-source applications will not only be beneficial to PepsiCo and their Quaker Oats brand, but also to other stakeholders associated with oats. He added that now it is much easier to advance further in oat research as the first genome has been sequenced.
The genome’s release in coordination with the US Department of Agriculture, USDA,will help in further scientific advancements and ultimately improve food and nutrition security as well.
While the existing oats variety is very much loaded with fiber and essential nutrients, a further enhancement in nutritional values, taste and flavor is a possibility currently being explored.