Origins of Cultivated Plants Chapter 2

Why were plants domesticated? Steady food source. Higher TDN Storage Steady food source. Higher TDN Storage

Methods of Domestication Seed or sexual propagation Cereal grain among the first Shattering Vs non-shattering types Plant close together Seed dormancy Selection pressures Seed or sexual propagation Cereal grain among the first Shattering Vs non-shattering types Plant close together Seed dormancy Selection pressures

Two main Regions Old World = Asia and Asia Minor –Fertile Crescent = eastern end of the Mediterranean Sea and Central Asia New World = Central Mexico to Chile Old World = Asia and Asia Minor –Fertile Crescent = eastern end of the Mediterranean Sea and Central Asia New World = Central Mexico to Chile

Domestication of Plants 8000 – 9000 B.C. evidence of agricultural villages. Radio carbon dating suggests 5000 – 6000 B.C. Africa – 4000 B.C. Chinese 4000 B.C – 9000 B.C. evidence of agricultural villages. Radio carbon dating suggests 5000 – 6000 B.C. Africa – 4000 B.C. Chinese 4000 B.C.

New Crops and New Uses American farmers produce highest yields in the world. Develop new crops and new markets American farmers produce highest yields in the world. Develop new crops and new markets

The Big Four Rice Wheat Corn Potatoes Rice Wheat Corn Potatoes

Rice Feeds over half of the world There are 25 species Mutations and hybrid response for improvements Short, medium and long Feeds over half of the world There are 25 species Mutations and hybrid response for improvements Short, medium and long

Wheat White & Red Hybrids has increased vigor Hard to increase yields because of self pollination White & Red Hybrids has increased vigor Hard to increase yields because of self pollination

Corn Cultures based on corn Corn mutates easily Important for its color size and shape Hybrid corn in 1930’s Cultures based on corn Corn mutates easily Important for its color size and shape Hybrid corn in 1930’s

Potato When planted from seed much different from parents Selection/tuber division Seed “tubers” When planted from seed much different from parents Selection/tuber division Seed “tubers”

Hatch Act of 1887 Experiment stations at each of the land-grand colleges. Davis & Berkley Experiment stations at each of the land-grand colleges. Davis & Berkley

Surplus Marketing Plans Produce the think about selling. Marketing Plans Produce the think about selling.

Germ Plasm Introduction-new plant materials Maintenance-banks and collections Evaluation- screening and tests Distribution-made free of charge to scientists Introduction-new plant materials Maintenance-banks and collections Evaluation- screening and tests Distribution-made free of charge to scientists

Why Protect our germ plasm