WASHINGTON — US researchers have sequenced the corn genome almost in its entirety, a development that could help improve crops to meet growing global needs for food and fuel, a US university has announced.

Corn, also known as maize, is the world’s top cereal crop followed by rice and wheat, and the second of those to have its genome sequenced, after rice.

"This first draft of the genome sequence is exciting because it’s the first comprehensive glimpse at the blueprint for the corn plant," said Richard Wilson, director of the Genome Sequencing Center at Washington University in St. Louis, Missouri.

Mr. Wilson directed the corn sequencing project, the results of which have been published online at www.maizesequence.org.

He will officially unveil the work on Thursday at the Annual Maize Genetics Conference in Washington, according to a statement posted Tuesday on Washington University’s Web site.

The first draft covers about 95% of the corn genome, and researchers are going to devote the project’s remaining funds to refining and finalizing it.

"Although it’s still missing a few bits...virtually all the information is there, and while we may make some small modifications to the genetic sequence, we don’t expect major changes," Mr. Wilson said.

Researchers sequenced the genome of a high-yield variety of maize known as B73 developed at Iowa State University decades ago that has been widely used in corn breeding and research. — AFP