![]() Some of the genes from the first strain seemed to be missing from the second, yet the characteristics the genes controlled were still being expressed: that is, their effects were still being observed in the plants themselves. To their surprise, when they sequenced the same region from another strain of maize, "everything was different", Dooner reported. The scientists began by taking a region of the maize genome and sequencing it, mapping the way the genetic material is laid out. Doonerhave important implications for the understanding of plant genetics as well as applications for improving agriculture. The Rutgers findings, presented by research associate Huihua Fu and Prof. Now plant geneticists investigating the maize (corn) genome (genes) at Rutgers' Waksman Institute of Microbiology have discovered a possible explanation for this phenomenon, known as heterosis or hybrid vigor. The article, "Discovering A Possible Explanation for Hybrid Vigor" by Joseph Blumberg from UniSci, Daily University Science News, states:Īgricultural breeders have long observed that when plants or animals from different strains are interbred, the offspring tend to be stronger, healthier or generally more fit than either of their parents, although no one knew why this occurred. So, I went to the Internet and did a search for "hybrid vigor" and came up with an article with a scientific explanation. One definition of hybrid vigor I found was: the increase in growth, intelligence, yield or other characters in hybrids over those of the parents. ![]() ![]() But why are some "good" plants and others not? We've heard the term "hybrid vigor" as a reason, but what is "hybrid vigor"? It adapts to various conditions such as shade and sun, grows in upper and lower elevations, handles stressing changes such as drought and rain, grows in the ground or can stay in pots. A good plant is one that is easy to root, repeats blooms, is a vigorous grower, transplants with barely a skipped beat, and needs little fussing over. Fellow member Dennis Rees asked me, "Why?" I made the comment that 'Lazarus' was not an easy plant to grow and, therefore, not a beginner's plant. At a recent Hawaii Chapter meeting a plant of the vireya rhododendron 'Lazarus' was up for auction. ![]()
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