U.S. Department of Agriculture: Agricultural Research Service, Lincoln, Nebraska
Document Type
Article
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.
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.
Comments
U.S. Government work.