Aboriginal people harvested this native grass for millennia. Scientists have now found an odd trait in its DNA

Per The Conversation (Australia), scientists have discovered an unusual genetic trait in channel millet, a native grass harvested by Mithaka people for at least three thousand years. Sequencing the plant's DNA revealed something striking: twelve copies of each chromosome instead of the typical two—a condition called polyploidy that's common in domesticated crops like wheat and rice. The researchers suggest these extra chromosomes help the plant endure the extreme floods and droughts of Australia's Channel Country. The plant also features large seeds that don't naturally shed, making it efficient to harvest. Together, these traits suggest that thousands of years of Mithaka management may have shaped the grass's genetic evolution. Going forward, researchers will link this genetic data with archaeological evidence from ancient hearths and grinding stones to build a clearer picture of how the Mithaka actively influenced the vegetation around them.

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