Over 160 years after Austrian monk Gregor Mendel laid the foundations of genetics, an international team of researchers from the Chinese mainland and the UK has decoded three of his most intriguing pea traits: pod color, pod shape and flower position.
Leading the Chinese mainland contingent is Professor Cheng Shifeng of the Agricultural Genomics Institute at Shenzhen (AGIS). On the UK side, scientists at the John Innes Centre (JIC) pooled expertise in plant genomics, bioinformatics and molecular biology.
The breakthrough pinpoints specific genes that govern whether pods appear green or yellow, whether their shape is inflated or constricted, and whether flowers emerge along the stem or at the tip. Comparing modern pea genomes to Mendel's original lines, the team traced these traits to precise genetic variations.
“Unraveling Mendel's pea code not only honors a pivotal chapter in science history—it also opens doors to next‑generation crop breeding,” says Professor Cheng. With this knowledge, breeders could tailor legumes for enhanced yields, resilience and nutritional value.
As global populations grow and climate challenges mount, such insights highlight how classic experiments can fuel tomorrow’s agricultural innovations. For young scientists and entrepreneurs, this cross‑border collaboration underscores the power of open data, shared expertise and a global vision for food security.
Reference(s):
China-UK collaboration cracks code behind Mendel's famous peas
cgtn.com
