"Plant breeding is the science of changing the traits of plants in order to produce desired characteristics."
Plant genetics and breeding involves the study of the genetic makeup of plants and how to improve them through breeding.
Cell structure and function: The building block of plants, understanding the basic structure and function of cells is crucial to understanding plant genetics and breeding.
Mendelian genetics: The laws of inheritance that govern how genetic traits are passed down from generation to generation.
DNA structure and function: Understanding the structure and function of DNA is essential to understanding how genes determine plant characteristics.
Gene expression: The process by which genes are converted into functional proteins that determine plant traits.
Genetic variation: The differences in genetic composition that can lead to diverse plant characteristics.
Polyploidy: The phenomenon of having multiple sets of chromosomes in a plant, which can lead to unique characteristics.
Mutation: Changes to the genetic code that can lead to altered plant traits.
Linkage mapping: The process of mapping the location of genes on a chromosome.
Quantitative genetics: The study of complex traits that are influenced by multiple genes and environmental factors.
Marker-assisted selection: Using molecular markers to identify desirable traits in plants.
Plant breeding methods: Traditional breeding techniques and biotechnologies used to improve plant characteristics.
Crop improvement: The use of plant genetics and breeding to develop new varieties with desirable traits, such as disease resistance, increased yield, and improved quality.
Germplasm conservation: The preservation of genetic diversity in crops through the collection and storage of seeds and other plant materials.
Genetic modification: Using genetic engineering techniques to introduce new genes or modify existing genes in plants.
Ethics and policy: The ethical and policy considerations surrounding the use of plant genetics and breeding in agriculture.
Classical breeding: A traditional approach to plant breeding that aims at genetic improvement by crossing plants with desirable traits.
Molecular breeding: Utilizes the knowledge of genetic makeup to direct plant breeding strategies.
Marker-assisted breeding: Utilizing molecular markers to selectively breed plants according to specific genetic traits can accelerate the breeding process.
Genomic selection: Predictions of a plant's future characteristics are made based on the entire genetic makeup.
Transgenic breeding: Plants are modified using genes that have desirable traits from other organisms.
Crop improvement breeding: This type of breeding is to increase the yield, quality, and uniformity of crops and to develop crop varieties that are resistant to pests and diseases.
Mutation breeding: This type of breeding uses radiation or chemicals to induce mutations in the plant's genetic structure.
Polyploidy breeding: By inducing changes in plant chromosomes or adding additional sets of chromosomes, new, more diverse varieties can be produced.
Molecular marker-assisted selection: This is a breeding method that utilizes the knowledge of molecular markers to selectively breed plants according to specific genetic traits.
Germplasm enhancement: Maintaining plant genetic resources and genetic backgrounds for future breeding work or use.
Micropropagation technology: This method of plant breeding produces genetically identical propagation material in high quantity.
Molecular biology: The study of molecular components of cells and their interactions with each other, which helps breeders to understand genetics and breeding better.
"The goals of plant breeding are to produce crop varieties that boast unique and superior traits for a variety of applications."
"The most frequently addressed agricultural traits are those related to biotic and abiotic stress tolerance, grain or biomass yield, end-use quality characteristics such as taste or the concentrations of specific biological molecules (proteins, sugars, lipids, vitamins, fibers) and ease of processing."
"Plant breeding can be performed through many different techniques ranging from simply selecting plants with desirable characteristics for propagation, to methods that make use of knowledge of genetics and chromosomes, to more complex molecular techniques."
"Genes in a plant are what determine what type of qualitative or quantitative traits it will have."
"It is practiced worldwide by individuals such as gardeners and farmers, and by professional plant breeders employed by organizations such as government institutions, universities, crop-specific industry associations, or research centers."
"International development agencies believe that breeding new crops is important for ensuring food security by developing new varieties that are higher yielding, disease resistant, drought tolerant or regionally adapted to different environments and growing conditions."
"Without plant breeding, Europe would have produced 20% fewer arable crops over the last 20 years, consuming an additional 21.6 million hectares (53 million acres) of land and emitting 4 billion tonnes (3.9×109 long tons; 4.4×109 short tons) of carbon."
"Wheat species created for Morocco are currently being crossed with plants to create new varieties for northern France."
"Soy beans, which were previously grown predominantly in the south of France, are now grown in southern Germany."
"It has been used to improve the quality of nutrition in products for humans and animals."
"Plant breeders strive to create a specific outcome of plants and potentially new plant varieties."
"Methods [of plant breeding] make use of knowledge of genetics and chromosomes."
"End-use quality characteristics such as taste or the concentrations of specific biological molecules (proteins, sugars, lipids, vitamins, fibers)."
"Those related to biotic and abiotic stress tolerance, grain or biomass yield, and ease of processing."
"Individuals such as gardeners and farmers, and professional plant breeders employed by organizations such as government institutions, universities, crop-specific industry associations or research centers."
"Breeding new crops is important for ensuring food security by developing new varieties that are higher yielding, disease resistant, drought tolerant, or regionally adapted to different environments and growing conditions."
"Without plant breeding, Europe would have consumed an additional 21.6 million hectares (53 million acres) of land and emitted 4 billion tonnes (3.9×109 long tons; 4.4×109 short tons) of carbon."
"Wheat species created for Morocco are currently being crossed with plants to create new varieties for northern France."
"Soy beans, which were previously grown predominantly in the south of France, are now grown in southern Germany."