ALTERATION OF PLANTS VIA GENETICS AND PLANT BREEDING

Authors

Kenneth P. Vogel, University of Nebraska-LincolnFollow
D. A. Sleper, University of Missouri

Date of this Version

1994

Citation

Vogel, K.P. and D.A. Sleper. 1994. Alteration of plants via genetics and plant breeding. p. 891-921. In: George C. Fahey, Jr. (ed.). Forage Quality, Evaluation, and Utilization. ASA, CSSA, SSSA. Madison, WI.

Comments

U.S. Government work.

Abstract

Plant breeding is man-directed evolution. Plant breeders manipulate the genetic resources of a species, i.e., its germplasm, to produce plants that are of increased value to humanity. The same analogy applies to animal improvement programs. All of our major food crops and all of our domestic animals and their respective breeds, strains, or cultivars were developed by this process. Although humans have successfully manipulated the genetic resources of plants and animals for several thousand years, the science of genetics and breeding was not developed until this century.