A History of Plant BreedingNow let’s look at
how the field of plant breeding evolved, and how it has been influenced by the advances in
our understanding of the mechanics of heredity.
Some people have an image of plant breeders as scientists
in lab coats "creating" new plants in their labs. While this is certainly the
realm of tissue culture and genetic engineering, for millennia plant
"improvement" took place in the field, where farmers, observing that one corn
plant was producing larger ears than the others, saved seeds from a few ears for planting
the next season. These were the humble beginnings of the incredible and, in terms of
feeding a growing population, vital science of plant breeding.
If plant breeding is a science, it is also, without a
doubt, an art as well—often with a little luck thrown in. Think again of
Mendel’s scientific approach, patiently growing out generation after generation of
plants, observing them with a critical eye, and keeping meticulous notes. However, plant
breeding also requires some degree of intuition in choosing which plants to cross among
the almost endless varieties. Finally, throw in the attitude of an inventor, with the
foresight to see the potential value in unintended results.
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 Tough Tomato!
Consider what you might judge an "improvement" in one of your garden crops.
Better flavor and texture would probably be near the top of your list. But many plant
breeders direct their research to improvements for commercial producers, not home
gardeners. Consider some of the qualities that would make a better commercial tomato
variety. Tougher skin, so it won’t crack? Firmer texture, so it will endure weeks of
shipping? Production of fruit all at once, to simplify harvest? As you can see, flavor
probably wouldn’t be near the top of the list—because luscious, juicy, tender
tomatoes just wouldn’t ship well packed into bushel baskets. |
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