1. What is plant breeding?
Answer: Plant breeding is the science of improving plant varieties for better yield, quality, resistance to diseases, and adaptability to environmental conditions through selection and hybridization.
2. What is the goal of plant breeding?
Answer: The primary goal is to develop new plant varieties that have improved characteristics such as higher yields, better disease resistance, improved quality, and adaptability to different environmental conditions.
3. What is the difference between selective breeding and genetic modification?
Answer: Selective breeding involves choosing parent plants with desirable traits to produce offspring with those traits, while genetic modification involves directly altering an organism's DNA to introduce or enhance specific traits.
4. What is hybridization?
Answer: Hybridization is the process of crossing two genetically different plants to produce offspring with a combination of traits from both parents.
5. What is a genotype?
Answer: A genotype is the genetic constitution of an organism, referring to the specific set of alleles it carries.
6. What is a phenotype?
Answer: A phenotype is the observable physical or biochemical characteristics of an organism resulting from the interaction of its genotype with the environment.
7. What is a genetic trait?
Answer: A genetic trait is a specific characteristic of an organism that is determined by its genes, such as flower color or resistance to disease.
8. What is a cultivar?
Answer: A cultivar is a plant variety that has been produced in cultivation by selective breeding.
9. What is the importance of genetic diversity in plant breeding?
Answer: Genetic diversity is crucial for improving disease resistance, adaptability, and overall plant performance. It also helps in maintaining the stability of crop yields over time.
10. What is a breeding line?
Answer: A breeding line is a group of plants with a specific genetic background that is used in breeding programs to develop new varieties.
11. What is the difference between a variety and a strain?
Answer: A variety is a plant group with distinct characteristics that are stable and can be reproduced, while a strain is a less formal term often used to describe a group with specific traits within a variety.
12. What is the purpose of backcrossing in plant breeding?
Answer: Backcrossing is used to introduce a desirable trait from one plant into an existing variety by crossing it with the original variety to maintain the original plant’s characteristics.
13. What is a plant pedigree?
Answer: A plant pedigree is a record of the ancestry of a plant, documenting the parentage and lineage through successive generations.
14. What is the significance of the F1 generation in hybrid breeding?
Answer: The F1 generation is the first generation of offspring from a cross between two distinct parental lines, often showing hybrid vigor or heterosis.
15. What is heterosis?
Answer: Heterosis, or hybrid vigor, is the phenomenon where hybrid offspring exhibit superior traits such as increased growth rate, yield, or resistance compared to their parents.
16. What is a polyploid plant?
Answer: A polyploid plant has more than two sets of chromosomes, which can lead to larger and more robust plants with enhanced traits.
17. What are somaclonal variations?
Answer: Somaclonal variations are genetic variations observed in plants regenerated from tissue cultures, resulting from mutations during the tissue culture process.
18. What is a marker-assisted selection (MAS)?
Answer: Marker-assisted selection involves using molecular markers to identify and select plants with desired traits more efficiently than traditional breeding methods.
19. What is genome editing?
Answer: Genome editing is a technique used to precisely alter the DNA sequence of an organism, often using tools like CRISPR/Cas9, to introduce or correct specific traits.
20. What is the difference between quantitative and qualitative traits?
Answer: Quantitative traits are controlled by multiple genes and show continuous variation (e.g., yield), while qualitative traits are controlled by one or a few genes and show distinct categories (e.g., flower color).
21. What is the role of genetic markers in plant breeding?
Answer: Genetic markers are used to identify and track specific genes associated with desirable traits, aiding in the selection and development of improved plant varieties.
22. What is the significance of the Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium in breeding populations?
Answer: The Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium provides a model for predicting allele and genotype frequencies in a population that is not evolving, helping to assess whether breeding practices are altering genetic frequencies.
23. What is a genetic map?
Answer: A genetic map is a representation of the arrangement of genes or genetic markers on a chromosome, used to locate and identify genes associated with specific traits.
24. What is a recombinant inbred line (RIL)?
Answer: A recombinant inbred line is a line of plants that is homozygous at all loci due to repeated self-pollination, used for genetic analysis and breeding.
25. What is the significance of the term “breeding value”?
Answer: Breeding value is an estimate of the genetic contribution of an individual to the performance of its offspring, used to predict the potential impact of an individual in a breeding program.
26. What is the difference between open-pollinated and self-pollinated crops?
Answer: Open-pollinated crops are fertilized by pollen from any plant of the same species, while self-pollinated crops are fertilized by pollen from the same plant.
27. What is a quantitative trait locus (QTL)?
Answer: A quantitative trait locus is a region of the genome that is associated with a quantitative trait, helping to identify the genetic basis of traits like yield or disease resistance.
28. What are transgenic plants?
Answer: Transgenic plants are genetically modified to contain DNA from another species, often to introduce new traits such as resistance to pests or herbicides.
29. What is the purpose of seed bank conservation?
Answer: Seed banks conserve genetic diversity by storing seeds from various plant varieties and species, preserving them for future use in breeding and research.
30. What is a germplasm collection?
Answer: A germplasm collection is a repository of genetic material from different plant varieties and species, used for breeding, research, and conservation purposes.
31. What is the role of plant tissue culture in breeding?
Answer: Plant tissue culture techniques are used to propagate plants, regenerate plants from small tissue samples, and produce clones with desirable traits.
32. What is the difference between a self-pollinated and cross-pollinated plant?
Answer: Self-pollinated plants fertilize themselves with their own pollen, while cross-pollinated plants require pollen from another plant to achieve fertilization.
33. What is the role of phenotypic selection in plant breeding?
Answer: Phenotypic selection involves choosing plants with desirable traits based on their observable characteristics to improve future generations.
34. What is the significance of plant breeding for food security?
Answer: Plant breeding helps develop crop varieties that are more productive, resistant to diseases, and adaptable to changing climates, contributing to food security and sustainability.
35. What is a plant breeder’s equation?
Answer: The plant breeder’s equation is a formula used to predict the genetic gain from selection, expressed as , where is the genetic gain, is the heritability, and is the selection differential.
36. What is a selection differential?
Answer: A selection differential is the difference between the mean of the selected plants and the mean of the entire population, reflecting the extent of selection.
37. What is the role of the International Plant Genetic Resources Institute (IPGRI)?
Answer: IPGRI, now known as Bioversity International, works to conserve plant genetic resources and promote their use in breeding programs for sustainable agriculture.
38. What is the significance of genetic drift in small populations?
Answer: Genetic drift can lead to random changes in allele frequencies in small populations, potentially reducing genetic diversity and affecting breeding outcomes.
39. What is the difference between inbreeding and crossbreeding?
Answer: Inbreeding involves mating closely related plants, which can increase homozygosity, while crossbreeding involves mating unrelated plants to introduce genetic diversity.
40. What is the purpose of field trials in plant breeding?
Answer: Field trials evaluate the performance of new plant varieties under real environmental conditions to assess traits such as yield, disease resistance, and adaptability.
41. What is a breeding population?
Answer: A breeding population is a group of plants that are used for breeding purposes, typically selected for their genetic diversity and desirable traits.
42. What is a pedigree method in plant breeding?
Answer: The pedigree method tracks the lineage of plants through successive generations to select and develop new varieties with desirable traits.
43. What is the role of molecular markers in plant breeding?
Answer: Molecular markers are used to track specific genes or traits in a plant population, facilitating the selection of plants with desirable genetic characteristics.
44. What is the significance of the term “selection intensity”?
Answer: Selection intensity measures the proportion of the population selected for breeding, influencing the rate of genetic improvement in a breeding program.
45. What is a genetic map-based approach?
Answer: A genetic map-based approach uses genetic maps to identify and locate genes associated with specific traits, aiding in marker-assisted selection and breeding.
46. What is a breeding method used to enhance disease resistance in crops?
Answer: One common method is to cross resistant varieties with susceptible ones to introduce resistance genes, followed by selection for disease resistance in the offspring.
47. What is a seed propagation technique?
Answer: Seed propagation involves growing plants from seeds, which is a fundamental method for producing new generations of plants for breeding.
48. What is a doubled haploid line?
Answer: A doubled haploid line is a plant line produced by doubling the chromosomes of haploid cells, resulting in homozygous lines that are useful for breeding and genetic studies.
49. What is the role of environmental factors in plant breeding?
Answer: Environmental factors can influence plant growth and trait expression, making it essential to evaluate new varieties under different conditions to ensure their performance.
50. What is the significance of plant patenting in breeding?
Answer: Plant patenting protects intellectual property by granting exclusive rights to new plant varieties, encouraging innovation and investment in breeding programs.
51. What is the concept of gene pyramiding?
Answer: Gene pyramiding involves combining multiple genes for resistance or other traits into a single plant variety to enhance its overall performance and durability.
52. What is the role of genetic engineering in plant breeding?
Answer: Genetic engineering allows for the direct modification of plant genomes to introduce or enhance specific traits, such as resistance to pests or improved nutritional content.
53. What is a breeding objective?
Answer: A breeding objective is a specific goal or set of goals that a breeding program aims to achieve, such as increasing yield, improving disease resistance, or enhancing quality traits.
54. What is a quantitative trait?
Answer: A quantitative trait is a trait controlled by multiple genes and environmental factors, showing continuous variation (e.g., height, yield).
55. What is a genetic recombination?
Answer: Genetic recombination is the process by which genetic material is exchanged between homologous chromosomes during meiosis, leading to new combinations of genes.
56. What is the role of the International Rice Research Institute (IRRI)?
Answer: IRRI focuses on improving rice varieties through research and breeding to enhance yield, resilience, and sustainability in rice production.
57. What is the significance of plant breeding in crop improvement?
Answer: Plant breeding improves crop varieties by enhancing traits such as yield, quality, disease resistance, and adaptability, leading to more efficient and sustainable agriculture.
58. What is the role of hybrid vigor in plant breeding?
Answer: Hybrid vigor, or heterosis, results in offspring that exhibit superior growth, yield, and other traits compared to their parent lines, used to enhance crop performance.
59. What is a breeding scheme?
Answer: A breeding scheme is a structured plan or method used to achieve specific breeding objectives, including selection, crossing, and evaluation processes.
60. What is the concept of adaptive breeding?
Answer: Adaptive breeding focuses on developing plant varieties that are specifically suited to particular environmental conditions or stress factors, enhancing their performance and resilience.
61. What is the role of biotechnology in plant breeding?
Answer: Biotechnology provides tools and techniques, such as genetic transformation and molecular markers, to enhance plant breeding efficiency and precision.
62. What is a breeding cycle?
Answer: A breeding cycle is the series of steps or phases in a breeding program, from initial crosses to evaluation and selection of new varieties, typically spanning several years.
63. What is the significance of plant breeding in sustainable agriculture?
Answer: Plant breeding contributes to sustainable agriculture by developing varieties that use resources efficiently, resist pests and diseases, and adapt to changing environmental conditions.
64. What is the concept of pure line breeding?
Answer: Pure line breeding involves selecting and propagating plants that are homozygous for desirable traits, producing uniform and stable plant varieties.
65. What is the role of the Plant Variety Protection (PVP) Act?
Answer: The PVP Act provides legal protection for new plant varieties, granting breeders exclusive rights to their varieties and encouraging innovation in plant breeding.
66. What is a breeding target?
Answer: A breeding target is a specific trait or set of traits that a breeding program aims to achieve or enhance in new plant varieties.
67. What is the significance of the term “allele frequency”?
Answer: Allele frequency refers to the proportion of a particular allele among all alleles at a specific locus in a population, influencing genetic variation and breeding outcomes.
68. What is a breeding population structure?
Answer: Breeding population structure refers to the organization and genetic composition of a population used in breeding, including factors like genetic diversity and mating patterns.
69. What is the role of plant breeding in improving crop quality?
Answer: Plant breeding enhances crop quality by selecting for traits such as taste, texture, nutritional content, and appearance, improving the overall value and consumer acceptance of crops.
70. What is the concept of "genetic gain"?
Answer: Genetic gain refers to the improvement in desirable traits in a breeding program over generations, measured by the difference in trait performance between selected and unselected plants.
71. What is the role of a plant breeder’s knowledge in developing new varieties?
Answer: A plant breeder’s knowledge of genetics, plant physiology, and environmental factors is essential for selecting appropriate breeding methods and achieving successful variety development.
72. What is the significance of genetic diversity in breeding programs?
Answer: Genetic diversity is crucial for creating new varieties with a wide range of traits, enhancing resilience to diseases and environmental changes, and maintaining overall crop health.
73. What is a breeding objective in a commercial breeding program?
Answer: A breeding objective in a commercial program typically focuses on traits that enhance profitability, such as increased yield, improved quality, and resistance to pests and diseases.
74. What is the concept of “genetic linkage”?
Answer: Genetic linkage refers to the tendency of genes located close together on a chromosome to be inherited together, affecting the inheritance of traits and the effectiveness of marker-assisted selection.
75. What is the role of genetic resources in plant breeding?
Answer: Genetic resources provide the raw material for breeding programs, including diverse plant varieties and species that contribute to developing new and improved crop varieties.
76. What is the significance of the term “genetic variation”?
Answer: Genetic variation refers to the differences in DNA sequences among individuals in a population, which is essential for selection and improvement in breeding programs.
77. What is the role of the Green Revolution in plant breeding?
Answer: The Green Revolution introduced high-yielding crop varieties, improved agricultural practices, and advanced breeding techniques, significantly increasing global food production.
78. What is a “breeding value” in quantitative genetics?
Answer: Breeding value is an estimate of the genetic potential of an individual plant for passing desirable traits to its offspring, used to guide selection decisions.
79. What is the concept of “genetic drift” in small populations?
Answer: Genetic drift is the random fluctuation in allele frequencies in small populations due to chance events, which can lead to loss of genetic diversity and affect breeding outcomes.
80. What is a “quantitative trait locus (QTL) mapping”?
Answer: QTL mapping is a technique used to identify the regions of the genome associated with quantitative traits, helping to locate genes responsible for specific traits.
81. What is the role of the “International Plant Protection Convention (IPPC)” in plant breeding?
Answer: The IPPC sets international standards for plant health and biosecurity, helping to prevent the spread of plant pests and diseases that can impact breeding programs.
82. What is “disease resistance breeding”?
Answer: Disease resistance breeding involves selecting and developing plant varieties that can withstand or resist specific plant diseases, reducing the need for chemical treatments.
83. What is “genetic engineering” in the context of plant breeding?
Answer: Genetic engineering involves directly modifying the DNA of plants to introduce or enhance specific traits, such as resistance to pests or improved nutritional content.
84. What is the role of “plant breeding” in climate change adaptation?
Answer: Plant breeding helps develop crop varieties that are better adapted to changing climate conditions, such as drought tolerance, heat resistance, and improved water-use efficiency.
85. What is “marker-assisted selection (MAS)” in plant breeding?
Answer: Marker-assisted selection uses molecular markers to identify plants with desirable genetic traits, speeding up the breeding process and increasing precision.
86. What is the concept of “genetic enhancement”?
Answer: Genetic enhancement refers to the process of improving the genetic potential of plant varieties through breeding techniques to achieve better performance or specific traits.
87. What is the role of “plant tissue culture” in plant breeding?
Answer: Plant tissue culture allows for the propagation of plants from small tissue samples, enabling the rapid production of clones and the regeneration of plants with desirable traits.
88. What is a “genetic algorithm” in plant breeding research?
Answer: A genetic algorithm is an optimization technique that simulates natural selection to solve complex problems, such as optimizing breeding strategies and improving plant traits.
89. What is “genetic mapping”?
Answer: Genetic mapping is the process of locating and identifying genes associated with specific traits on chromosomes, providing valuable information for breeding and genetic research.
90. What is the significance of “breeding for nutritional quality”?
Answer: Breeding for nutritional quality aims to improve the nutrient content of crops, such as vitamins and minerals, to enhance human health and address nutritional deficiencies.
91. What is a “breeding program”?
Answer: A breeding program is a systematic approach to developing new plant varieties through selection, crossing, and evaluation to achieve specific breeding objectives.
92. What is “genetic transformation”?
Answer: Genetic transformation is a technique used to introduce new genes into a plant’s genome, allowing for the development of plants with specific traits or improved characteristics.
93. What is “marker-assisted breeding”?
Answer: Marker-assisted breeding involves using genetic markers to select plants with desirable traits more efficiently than traditional breeding methods, improving the accuracy of selection.
94. What is the “role of genetic diversity” in breeding programs?
Answer: Genetic diversity provides a wide range of traits and alleles that can be utilized to develop new varieties with improved performance, adaptability, and resilience.
95. What is “plant variety protection”?
Answer: Plant variety protection is a legal mechanism that grants exclusive rights to breeders for new plant varieties, encouraging investment and innovation in plant breeding.
96. What is “genotype-by-environment interaction”?
Answer: Genotype-by-environment interaction refers to the way different genotypes respond to varying environmental conditions, affecting trait expression and performance.
97. What is “gene editing” in plant breeding?
Answer: Gene editing is a technique used to make precise changes to an organism’s DNA, allowing for the targeted introduction or alteration of specific traits.
98. What is “functional genomics” in plant breeding?
Answer: Functional genomics studies the roles and functions of genes in plant biology, helping to understand how genes contribute to traits and improving breeding strategies.
99. What is “phenotypic plasticity”?
Answer: Phenotypic plasticity is the ability of a plant to alter its phenotype in response to environmental changes, affecting its growth and development.
100. What is the role of “plant breeding” in sustainable agriculture?
Answer: Plant breeding contributes to sustainable agriculture by developing crop varieties that are more productive, resilient to environmental stresses, and less reliant on chemical inputs, promoting long-term agricultural sustainability.
%20(2).png)
0 Comments