GMO introgression risk mapped

Bioversity International’s Gene Flow Risk Assessment of Genetically Engineered Crops project, funded by GTZ and realized in collaboration with CIAT and Universidad del Valle (Cali, Colombia), has got (some of) its products out. The project focused on the “likelihood of gene flow and introgression to crop wild relatives (CWR) and other domesticated species.” A book is coming, but you can see the risk maps for a number of crops online now. And there’s also a bibliography.

LATER: Jeremy points out, correctly, that “see” in the last sentence above is a bit of an overstatement. You need to do a bit more work than is perhaps implied.

Nibbles: Drugs, Horticulture, Nutritional composition, Health, Rice, Coconut

An introduction to buckwheat

My recent trip to Russia allowed me to get culinarily acquainted — albeit all too cursorily — with a bit of agricultural biodiversity I don’t know much about: buckwheat (греча). Russia used to be its largest producer. I saw it in its raw state in the market:

dscf8329

There was kasha for breakfast at the hotel. And I think I had the blintz too, though I’m not sure. Not spectacular, taste-wise, but pleasant enough.

Nibbles: French fries, Maple syrup, Cooking heirlooms, Salmon, Ancient booze, Rice domestication