Plant breeding 38 specifications

Mike Lassner (Verdia Inc.) presented examples of the usefulness of directed molecular evolution as an in vitro process that more easily achieves what was traditionally attempted via reproductive crossing and recurrent selection (plant breeding). Proteins may be engineered that have specific desirable characteristics via methods that "evolve" the basic underlying DNA. For example, the outcome can be enzymes with improved kinetic properties that result in enhanced primary production, or proteins that remain operational under extreme conditions. In addition, compositional proteins may be enhanced to provide functional performance that was not achievable via conventional methods. 

Plant breeding the purposeful manipulation of plant species in order to create desired genetic modifications for specific purposes. This manipulation usually involves either cross- or self-pollination, followed by artificial selection of progeny. 

Plant breeding Manipulation of plant species in order to create desired genetic modifications for specific purposes. 

Seed. The primary use of plant breeding is to improve the productivity, cultivation characteristics, stress tolerance, and nutritional content of food crops, particularly cereal grains. The green revolution stressed productivity under modern ricultural methods. Later, more attention has been paid to tailoring crops to specific environmental and social conditions. An example is yellow rice, genetically engineered for high vitamin A content, to combat vitamin A deficiency in rice-dependent populations. 

It is very important for farmers and those engaged in the plant breeding and seed production industries to be able accurately to identify specific varieties. This is particularly important when stocks are being multiplied for bulk seed production. All crops must be carefully inspected to ensure a very high degree of varietal purity. If this is not the case the crop may be rejected for seed. 

Therefore, this section of the Symposium was specifically organized to examine (a) the classic procedures of plant breeding as it applies to the modification of oil crops, (b) the newer tissue culture techniques for clonal propagation of elite plants, (c) recent procedures for mutagenesis and their application to basic problems in plant lipid biochemistry and finally (d) the employment of molecular biology and recombinant DNA techniques in specific problems. Additional poster presentations further amplified the approaches of the new technique. 

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