Gardeners and horticulturists frequently use terms like F1
hybrid and open-pollinated without really understanding exactly what they mean.
Most people have a general idea of the meaning, but few really understand the scientific
basis for the terms. Confusion also arises during
the frequent, often heated, debates about genetic engineering—"Mutant carrot
invades Manhattan!" Is this all hype, or is there really a need for concern about
this new technology? The more you understand the techniques of genetic
engineering—and the risks and benefits—the better able you’ll be to make
informed decisions.
As with a number of the topics we’ve discussed in
these botany courses, you don’t absolutely need to know this type of information to
be a good gardener. However, I think all gardeners benefit from knowing a little about
plant breeding and genetics. An understanding of these basics will help you decipher some
of the technical terms you see and hear, make choices about what to plant (and even what
to eat), and communicate more effectively with fellow gardeners.
This week we’ll continue our discussion of sexual
reproduction, this time focusing on inheritance—how traits are passed from one
generation to the next.
Then, we’ll take a sweeping look at the history of
plant breeding, from its roots when farmers saved their best seed for the next
season’s planting, right up to the current research in genetic engineering.
We’ll look at how these different breeding techniques benefit gardeners, as well as
some of the controversies about gene manipulation.
Let’s begin!
