Chinese researchers complete genome sequencing of wheat A subgenome

Researchers measure the wheat in the field. [Photo/Xinhua]

Commonly cultivated wheat contains three genomes: A, B and D. They are huge and complex, about 40 times larger than rice genomes. More than 85 percent of the genome DNA of wheat is repetitive, making the study of its genome sequencing difficult.

Wheat is one of the world's most important food crops, feeding 40 percent of the world's population and providing 20 percent of heat and protein that humans need.