NCVC, KAUST discuss genome mapping of wild plants in Saudi Arabia

RIYADH — The National Center for Vegetation Cover Development and Combating Desertification (NCVC) is cooperating with King Abdullah University of Science and Technology’s (KAUST) Center for Desert Agriculture by holding meetings and discussions on the implementation of the genome mapping project to preserve, re-propagate and cultivate endangered plants in the Kingdom.

The CEO of NCVC, Dr. Khaled bin Abdullah Al-Abdulqader, and a team of experts held an online meeting with scientists and researchers from KAUST, headed by Professor Rod Wing, director of the university’s Center for Desert Agriculture.

The meeting discussed key mechanisms for drawing genetic maps of wild plants, which include a list of the most important plant species, such as juniper, ficus and lavender, in addition to tree species such as al-Ghada, al-Ruta, and others. — SPA