History of plant breeding
In time however, experiments began with deliberate hybridization, the science and understanding of which was greatly enhanced by the work of Gregor Mendel.
Modern plant breeding is applied genetics, but its scientific basis is broader, covering molecular biology, cytology, systematics, physiology, pathology, entomology, chemistry, and statistics (biometrics).
Columbus's arrival in America in 1492 triggered unprecedented transfer of plant resources between Europe and the New World.
In 1716–17 (the cross made in summer 1716, the new plant appearing the next spring) he was the first person[dubious – discuss] to scientifically produce[clarification needed] an artificial hybrid, Dianthus Caryophyllus barbatus, known as "Fairchild's Mule", a cross between a Sweet william and a Carnation pink.
His work allowed Italy to increase crop production during the so-called "Battle for Grain" (1925–1940) and some varieties were exported to foreign countries, such as Argentina, Mexico, and China.
The detection of the usefulness of heterosis for plant breeding has led to the development of inbred lines that reveal a heterotic yield advantage when they are crossed.
In 1933 another important breeding technique, cytoplasmic male sterility (CMS), developed in maize, was described by Marcus Morton Rhoades.
Borlaug received the Nobel prize for peace in 1970), and third came high-yielding "short statured rice" cultivars.
Most approaches to crop improvement, including conventional breeding, genome modification and gene editing, rely primarily on the fundamental processes of DNA repair and recombination.
[10] Our current understanding of DNA repair and recombination mechanisms in plants was derived largely from prior studies in prokaryotes, yeast and animals, so that our present knowledge remains rooted in this history.
