INTRODUCTION TO PLANT BREEDING

AGRONOMY 815 / CLASS ASSIGNMENTS

P. STEPHEN BAENZIGER, 338 Keim Hall, 472-1538

DEPARTMENT OF AGRONOMY / UNIVERSITY OF NEBRASKA

PROBLEM SET 7Due December 4, 1997

Name: ________________________________________________________________________

1.If you were interested in obtaining seed for your breeding program to:

a) Add diversity to your germplasm for heat and drought stress.

b) Add diversity to your germplasm for a new insect pest.

Which countries/climatic conditions would you consider requesting seed from?

a)

b)

If you were unable to obtain seed from that country, to whom would you write to see if they had seed?

a)

b)

2.Pick a crop of interest. Where is its Center of Origin (give your reference)?

3.Why are mutagens useful?

4.What is an "auxin step-down" and why is it important?

5.Does it matter if a trisomic line is used as a male or a female parent? Explain your answer?