Scientists at the University of California, Davis have sequenced the genes of one of the most widely consumed salad crops. UC Davis researchers have made the lettuce’s gene sequence available on a Lettuce Genome Resource page on the University’s website.

The researchers, working with colleagues in Shenzen, China, were supported by the Lettuce Genome Sequencing Consortium. They said the ongoing research will go towards improving breeding practices and understanding of “cultivated lettuce” (L.Sativa) and its relatives.

The researchers behind the breakthrough said they chose to work on the lettuce as the plant could offer insights into other species of the compositae, or daisy family, a successful group of over 23,000 plants which includes the artichoke, sunflower and a number of other oil crops. This makes the family incredibly economically important.

More information and access to the research is available here

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