A team of 86 global scientists have sequenced the genetic code of the Golden Delicious apple for the first time. The DNA breakthrough could result in new and improved apple varieties which are more resistant to disease. Scientists from 20 institutions took two years to unravel the code – the largest plant genome uncovered to date.Professor Riccardo Velasco at the Edmund Mach Foundation in Italy, who led the research team, said that sequencing the genome would have huge implications for applied breeding. He said this breakthrough will help scientists to develop high quality traits and bring new things to the apple market. Kate Evans from Washington State University's Tree Fruit Research and Extension Centre said the discovery would help the long-term sustainable production of apples. The findings are published in the leading journal Nature Genetics.