INTRODUCTION TO PLANT BREEDING

AGRONOMY 815 / PRACTICE EXAM

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

DEPARTMENT OF AGRONOMY / UNIVERSITY OF NEBRASKA

PRACTICE EXAMDecember 4, 1997

1. What is the difference between a Center of Diversity and a Center of Origin? How can a biologist tell the difference between the two? (5 points)
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   

   Which is more important to plant breeders? Why? (5 points)

   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   

   If you discovered a new disease on an important crop in your country, where would you go to get resistant germplasm (be specific)? Why? (10 points)

   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   

   Why are gemplasm/seed banks important? (5 points)

   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
2. Does every gene mutate at the same rate? (5 points)
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   

   Are mutations important to plant breeders? Why? (5 points)

   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
3. What does the phrase "auxin step-down" mean in cell culture? (5 points)
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
4. What are two ways to insert genes into crop plants? Explain how each works and what is required. (10 points)
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   

   Why is genetic engineering important to plant breeders? (5 points)

   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
5. What is the difference between an allopolyploid and an autopolyploid? (5 points)
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   

   Genetically, is there a difference on how genes are inherited between an allopolyploid and an autopolyploid? (5 points)

   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   

   If you have an aneuploid parent, does it matter if it is used as a male or as a female line? Why? (5 points)

   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   

   How can plant breeders use aneuploid inheritance to aid their breeding program? (5 points)

   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
6. What is the difference between a complete flower and a perfect flower? (5 points)









7. Define apomixis? (5 points)
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   

   How does it help plant breeders? (5 points)

   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   

   How does it hinder plant breeders? (5 points)