Allotments 4 All

Produce => Edible Plants => Topic started by: galina on June 01, 2012, 08:41:55

Title: Tomato Genome Decoded
Post by: galina on June 01, 2012, 08:41:55
The tomato genome has been decoded.  Turns out that the tomato has a huge number of genes, allowing for plenty possibilities for mutation.  No wonder there are just so many different varieties around.

http://www.nature.com/nature/journal/v485/n7400/full/nature11119.html


Title: Re: Tomato Genome Decoded
Post by: sunloving on June 01, 2012, 18:53:05
How interesting. Did you realise that it was the same year as the coronation that the structure of DNA was deciphered, another diamond anniversary and reason to celebrate.

x sunloving
Title: Re: Tomato Genome Decoded
Post by: Deb P on June 02, 2012, 12:39:32
The cynic in me wonders what will be done with this new knowledge...thinking along the lines of 'terminator' genes and all........ :-\
Title: Re: Tomato Genome Decoded
Post by: galina on June 02, 2012, 22:06:28
Quote from: Deb P on June 02, 2012, 12:39:32
The cynic in me wonders what will be done with this new knowledge...thinking along the lines of 'terminator' genes and all........ :-\

Yes we have come a long way since the discovery of dna.  And all in a relatively short space of time.  I was thinking more about targetted conventional breeding, rather than the blunt instrument of GM.  Combining what are possible good traits with conventional breeding into tasty, disease resistant, cold resistant early ripening tomatoes, doing it all the conventional way.