A giant step forward in decoding the pea genome

A discovery that will revolutionize agriculture and human nutrition

At the very beginning of autumn 2019, an international team, including the French, succeeded in deciphering the pea genome. For the average person, this means very little. After all, how complicated could it be to decipher the genetic code of a plant?

However, as Patrick Wincker, Director of Génoscope, reminds us in an interview, plants have a more complex DNA than animals, as they must contain, among other things, means of defense and other functions. Understanding the gene makes it possible to target characteristics and eventually introduce them into various plant species. For example, the pea plant has in its genome the ability to communicate with bacteria in order to be supplied with nitrates. As a result, the use of chemical fertilizers could be reduced if plant varieties could do the same, making agriculture less polluting.

Running time: 7 minutes