> After four decades of cross-breeding and genetic screening, researchers had developed eight separate species but their yields remained too low to make widespread cultivation worthwhile. But last year the team made a breakthrough by doubling the yield to more than 4.5 tonnes per hectare.
Wonder if this was a CRISPR project; seems like an exciting development if so, as perhaps the "brackish water resistant" gene could be inserted into other plants as well.
To me, the "... last year the team made a breakthrough by doubling the yield to more than 4.5 tonnes per hectare." part sounds like they changed tack from what they had been trying for the previous 4 decades.
Wonder if this was a CRISPR project; seems like an exciting development if so, as perhaps the "brackish water resistant" gene could be inserted into other plants as well.