#Breeding

In a milestone that sounds like science fiction for a crop many Thai households rely on, scientists have fully deciphered the sweetpotato genome, a hexaploid puzzle that carries six copies of every chromosome. The achievement, focused on a Tanzanian variety prized for disease resistance and high dry matter, could accelerate breeding programs worldwide—and hold particular significance for Thailand’s farmers who face heat, drought, and persistent pests. The genome was “phased” so scientists could separate and read each of the six chromosome sets, a feat never accomplished before for a crop with such complexity. The result is a new level of clarity that invites breeders to pinpoint the exact genes behind yield, resilience, and nutritional quality, turning a long-held dream of precision in crop improvement into a practical reality.