The Beltsville Agricultural Research Center (BARC) is a unit of the United States Department of Agricultures Agricultural Research Service, founded in 1993. BARC is the largest and most diversified agricultural research complex in the world. Beltsvilles record of accomplishments and ongoing programs has made it a world leader in
agriculture research. Research in the Beltsville Agricultural Research Center addresses all of these goals through programs in the Beltsville Agricultural Research Center, the Beltsville Human
Nutrition Research Center, and the U.S. National Arboretum. Mile stones of the Beltsville Agricultural Research Center are: In 1971, BARC plant pathologist Theodor O. Diener uncovered the viroid, unique, low-molecular-weight, pathogenic, RNA-only molecules, which can barely be seen with an electron microscope. It was also at BARC that Wright first proposed the variable he designated as F to express an inbreeding coefficient, the mathematical correlation that measures the decrease in heterozygosis from that in the foundation stock. Discovered that flowering in many plants is controlled by changes in day-length, a concept called photoperiodism. Dairy herd improvement program began keeping detailed records of
milk output and other characteristics used to decide breeding choices. The meat-type hog was developed, which led to todays leaner animals. At the same time, BARC developed a system of producing pork with a minimum of feed and labor, making hog raising more economical and efficient. High-laying strains of Rhode Island Red and Single-Comb White Leghorn chickens, which laid especially large and well-shaped eggs, were developed. BARC researchers also determined the precise amount of feed needed to produce one dozen eggs, giving farmers better control of production costs. Found first scientific evidence of the role vitamin A plays in maintaining sight. Ultra-low-temperature storage
cryopreservation of swine embryos was developed, enabling unprecedented global transport of embryos. SoilGard, the first biocontrol agent for soilborne diseases, was developed. Demonstrated that host nutritional status can influence the
pathogenicity of a human viral pathogen.
Last Updated on: Nov 25, 2024