Team Sequences Shea Tree Genome to Support Breeding and Conservation Efforts
Published:09 Oct.2021 Source:University of New Hampshire
The shea tree is a vital social and economic crop that is best known for the popular product shea butter -- a multimillion-dollar ingredient used in cosmetics, personal care products, pharmaceuticals and chocolate. For hundreds of thousands of African families living in the "shea belt" it is also a crucial source of nutrition and income.
Despite its increasing demand, the slow-growing shea tree is being threatened by other cash crops and its preservation most likely lies in its genetic improvement. To enable such work, an international team of researchers led by the University of New Hampshire has sequenced the shea tree's genome, providing a valuable resource for the strategic development of the species.