Plant Breeing and Genetic Engineering

Plant Science

Plant Breeding

• a systematic process using scientific methods in order to improve plants

• selection: the process of breeding for a specific trait

– selective breeding is a form of genetic engineering

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Genotype vs. Phenotype

• trait: a genetically determined characteristic

• genotype: the genetic make up of an organism

• phenotype: the physical characteristics of an organism

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Cultivars

• cultivar: a plant that has been bred/developed to have specific and distinguishable characteristics that will be passed on to its offspring

• also known as a variety

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Hybrids

• offspring that result from breeding individual of different varieties or species

• hybrid vigor: when the offspring of distinctly different individuals have traits greater than the parents

• mutation: a genetic variation that occurs naturally (can be a favorable trait)

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Genetic Engineering• involves altering an organisms DNA

• transgenic plants are created by transferring genes from a different organism to a plant

• is being used to make plants that are insect and/or disease resistant

• gentically engineered plants must be approved by the government

• biotechnology: the use of biological process for industrial purposes

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