Strawberry Genome May Lead to Cheaper Berries

CHAMPAIGN, Ill. — The wild strawberry has been added to the short list of foods whose genomes have been mapped. Scientists say they hope the work will help them produce better strawberries faster than they could with traditional plant breeding.

The genone mapping was done by 75 scientists scattered around the world. One of them is Kevin Folta, a professor of plant horticulture at the University of Florida.

Folta says strawberry breeders will likely use the genetic map to develop berries that will last longer after they're picked or plants that produce more berries at a lower cost.

But he and farmers say the map isn't likely to be used to its full potential because consumers are still hesitant when it comes to genetically modified foods.