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From the we-don't-need-your-stinkin-GMO department, the Beeb reports that "Scientists have successfully decoded the genome of quinoa, one of the world's most nutritious but underutilised crops." The team was led by Mark Tester in Saudi Arabia.
The South American grain is a hugely popular "super-food" because it is well balanced and gluten-free. However, prices for quinoa have rocketed in recent years as demand exceeded supply. Researchers believe the genetic code will rapidly lead to more productive varieties that will push down costs.
They go on to say that the genome will be used to direct conventional plant breeding methods. Several traits of the 7000 year old South American grain would improve its utility such as reducing the level of saponins which make it bitter. Also, varieties could be bred for other climates. The plant is naturally able to grow in salty soils and another goal is to breed tolerance to irrigation with brackish water (partially desalinated sea water).
(Score: 4, Interesting) by Runaway1956 on Thursday February 09 2017, @05:40PM
Part of my interest in "alternative" foods and crops, is related to all the many monocultures we have today. You mention potatoes. In the early 1900's, we had hundreds of varieties of potatoes in America - and I'm sure that Europe, Africa, Asia, and South America probably had other varieties that we didn't bother with. Today, there really aren't very many choices in potatoes. Go into your local grocery, and you'll probably find two choices, maybe three.
I'm happy to promote just about anything that increases variety in the diet. I'll even promote Gaaark's mealworms - for other people, LOL. https://soylentnews.org/~Gaaark/journal/2223 [soylentnews.org]
I'm also happy to promote anything that remains free of agri-business encumbrances. Or, more specifically, anything not owned by Monsanto.
(Score: 0) by Anonymous Coward on Thursday February 09 2017, @07:09PM
Every grocery store near me carries at least four different varieties, and the health food store has more. A better example is the banana.
(Score: 2) by AthanasiusKircher on Thursday February 09 2017, @07:30PM
Today, there really aren't very many choices in potatoes. Go into your local grocery, and you'll probably find two choices, maybe three.
I completely agree with you about the problems of monocultures and how we should try to preserve other varieties. On the other hand, I'm not sure I've been to a decent supermarket lately that had fewer than three varieties of potato. (Maybe a tiny corner shop or something, but not a full-blown supermarket.) You need at least several types of potato for different applications -- those which are good for boiling (e.g., for potato salad) are not necessary good for mashing (can be too "gluey"). And these types may not necessarily be the best kinds for baking... or french fries... or whatever. Different amounts of starch and different densities/distributions are important for different potato applications.
Thus, every large store I've been in tends to have at least three varieties of potatoes. Many stores lately tend to carry fingerling potatoes that also contain options which aren't part of the "big 4 or 5" potato varieties that are most common.
Again, obviously it's still far from what existed historically, and we should seek more diversity. But I think there are often a couple more options in stores than you imply.