ENSC 315 Lecture Notes - Lecture 12: Open Pollination, Seed Saving, Food Security
19 Apr 2017
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Document Summary
Humans have been manipulating plant genetics for 10 000 years. Corn developed from the central grass - (maize) Ease of cultivation - ideal form /size from mechanical harvesting, etc. processing. Careful seed saving from plants that fare well in open pollinated fields (farmers and science) Deliberate crossing and scientific manipulation of varieties of the attributes we desire (science and farmers) Natural pollination-based propagation - birds, bees, insects, winds (often called heirloom or heritage, though there are many open pollinated seeds that are not heirloom seeds) Adapted to conditions naturally so should be best grown in local conditions. Local seeds - local foods - local movements. Will not be the same as a plant bred for yield production. Cant quickly develop tolerance to rapidly changing conditions (evolution takes time - at least 8-10 generation of careful seed saving) Farmers selected teosinte crops which were larger, had more kernels, were resistant to drought & pests.
