Plant Genetics: An Insight to the Amazing Plant Diversity

Plant Genetics is the branch of genetics which includes the study of genes, diversity of plant and fungal genetics and the mechanism that governs the transmission of characters in plants and fungi. It is basically considered as a branch of biology and botany, although it is also interlinked with other life sciences and mostly information systems.

Plant Genetics: The History of Plant Genetics

Gregor Johann Mendel, an Augustinian priest and the late nineteenth century scientist is entitled as the ‘Father of Genetics’. Mendel performed several experiments on garden pea (pisum sativum) for seven years from 1856-1863 and gave the ‘theory of inheritance’.

Mendel performed many artificial hybridization experiments to give the famous ‘laws of inheritance’ which governs the transmission of characters from parents to the offsprings. Mendel took seven pairs of contrasting characters such as plant height, seed colour and shape, flower colour and position, pod colour and shape.The idea of ‘genes’ as the ‘unit of inheritance’ is also given by Mendel.

Mendel’s work which formed the basis of plant genetics remains undiscovered for a long time.

Plant Genetics: DNA

DNA or Deoxyribonucleic Acid is the genetic material in all the organisms including plants. DNA, in the plants, is the genetic material as it contains information required for the transmission of characters from parents to the offsprings. A segment of DNA is known as ‘gene’. DNA in addition to genes also contains some sequences which are either required for structural purposes or required for regulating the expression of the genes.

■ Also Read: What is a Plant based Diet and Why is it Considered Beneficial?

This DNA is useful to plant geneticists. Geneticists use the information within the DNA and find out the role of these genes within a genome. The information thus gained helps the geneticists in manipulating the DNA sequences to build the different plant varieties according to their required genotypes.

Plant Genetics: Application of Plant Genetics: Genetically Modified (GM) Crops

One of the most important applications of plant genetics is genetically modified crops. Genetically modified crops, as non-modified crops, bear several advantages. Some of them are listed below:

●      Increased tolerance against abiotic stresses

●      Increased resistance against diseases

●      Increased resistance towards herbicides and insecticides

●      High and improved yield

Plant Genetics: Genetic Modification Methods

We discussed the advantages of genetically modified crops over the general varieties. Let us now know some of the methods of genetic modification of crops.

● Classical Methods:

Classical Methods of plant breeding are the techniques used for the genetic modification of plants thousands of years ago. This includes selective breeding, crossing, homologous recombination, anther and ovule culture, undirected mutagenesis and embryo culture.

● Cellular Methods:

This method uses the totipotency of plants to produce the desired variety. This method includes cell fusion and somaclonal variation which are produced by the process of tissue culture.

● Molecular Methods:

Techniques that involve direct introduction of genes to produce desired variety. These are the techniques which are currently used for the genetic modification of crops. This includes two methods: 

●      Agrobacterium Method: This method uses a naturally occurring microbe such as Agrobacterium Tumefecians. The gene of interest is inserted into the microbe which then transfers it to the plant.

●      Biolistics: Commonly known as ‘Gene Gun’ is the method of microprojectile bombardment. This method involves the direct bombardment of high energy particles or radiation into the gene of interest directly inside the plant cells.

Plant Genetics: Why is Plant Genetics Important?

Pant genetics holds importance for a variety of reasons. Some of them are listed below: 

Plant Genetic Variation:

Variation is the feature which solely governs the plant genetics. Plant genetics deals with discovery, creation and manipulation of genetic variations. 

Genetics Modification:

Genetic modification of the plants helps in a variety of ways. It helps crops tolerate environmental stresses, pesticides and insecticides. Not only this, genetic modification helps in the production of high yield crops.

Disease Resistance:

Plant Genetics and Breeding helps to develop several varieties of plants that are highly resistant to droughts and many pathogen and in-born diseases.

Broadening the Base of Genetics:

Enlarging the genetic base of heterotropic pool is the foremost requirement in order to ensure continued genetic gain because narrow genetic base can lead to the decline in crop improvement.

Abiotic Stress Tolerance:

Abiotic Stress includes heat as well as salt stress. These factors are essential for the overall yield of the plants. The knowledge of plant genetics can help in development and growth of the plants by tolerating these stresses.

Plant Genetics: Tatvadarshi Saint knows the Tree of the World

Shrimad Bhagavad Gita gives the information of a Tatvadarshi Saint. Shrimad Bhagavad Gita Chapter 15 Verse 1-4 mentions that Only Tatvadarshi Saint gives the true knowledge of various parts of the tree of the world. Saint Rampal Ji gave the knowledge as is given by Supreme God Kabir Saheb Ji

Kabir, Akshar Purush ek ped hai, Niranjan vaaki daar

Trideva (Brahma, Vishnu, Shiv) shaakha bhaye, paat bhya sansaar

Saint Rampal Ji Maharaj Ji has given the true information of an upside-down tree representing the world. Saint Rampal Ji Maharaj ji is the only Tatvadarshi Saint on this earth. Readers are requested to read the books ‘Gyan Ganga’ and ‘Way of Living”’ to attain true scriptural knowledge and scripture based worship to attain happiness and salvation.

Plant Genetics: FAQs

Connect With Us on the Following Social Media Platforms