By Jon Ironmonger, BBC News

媒體英語會帶大家一起學習 BBC 撰稿人在報道世界大事時常用到的單詞和短語。

Background: 科學家首次破解了馬鈴薯這種作物的全部基因組。這一成果刊登在最新一期的《自然》期刊上。這一突破將有助于提高馬鈴薯產量。

The humble potato is in fact the world's fourth largest food crop, with a global annual yield of around 330 million tonnes.

In an international project lasting several years, researchers have successfully recorded its complete chemical blueprint, deciphering and organising hundreds of millions of pieces of genetic coding.

By mapping the plant's genome scientists can locate the genes that control various traits, like colour, starchiness and flavour, leading to the creation of improved varieties at a much quicker pace.

Professor Iain Gordon from the James Hutton Institute in Dundee, which headed the British team, said the genome sequence would allow breeders to develop new types that are more nutritious, resistant to pests and diseases and easier to cultivate.

He said the breakthrough could help to meet the challenge of feeding the world's soaring population.