Previously, we grew improved versions of crops by growing multiple, comparing them, and then planting the seeds of the one that best suits our desired trait. Nowadays, we could take a more direct approach because we’ve sequenced the genome of these plants.
We can identify the ones that have our desired traits and target them for future generations. However, TechCrunch says that can still take a decade with conventional methods.
We still have to test several traits because there isn’t only one gene that produces a trait. Fortunately, the new AI crop system can simulate the effects of changes to a plant’s genome, which can reduce the 15-year lead time to two or three.
“The idea was to create a much more realistic model for the genome that’s more evolutionary aware,” said [Avalo CEO Brendan] Collins. These simulations will consider more contexts from biology and evolution to reduce false positives.
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As a result, they could significantly cut research times for improved fruits and vegetables. “You can design the perfect genotype in silico [i.e., in simulation] and then do intensive breeding and watch for that genotype,” explained Collins.
