Seed Biotechnology Primers

Cross-posted from Seed Quest:

A wide range of seed biotechnologies are implemented at all stages of the life cycle of varieties:

Germplasm resources
Germplasm refers to the genetic information comprising the plant’s hereditary makeup, a valuable natural resource of plant diversity and the basis for all crop improvements.
  • introduction

  • bioinformatics

  • genomics

  • genotyping

  • induced mutation

  • phenomics

  • proteomics

  • wild species

Variety development
Since the dawn of agriculture some 10,000 years ago, farmers have been developing varieties of plants to yield desired results.
  • introduction

  • plant breeding

  • genetic engineering

  • genotyping

  • induced mutation

  • marker-assisted breeding

  • phenomics

  • proteomics

Seed production / QA
The purity of any commercial product propagated by seed begins with the genetic purity of the seed planted.
  • introduction

  • genetic purity

  • coexistence

  • certification programs

  • hybridity tests

  • isolation

Storage & Conservation
If seeds are stored properly, they can last from a few years to centuries, depending on the species
  • introduction

  • genetic purity

  • coexistence

  • certification programs

  • hybridity tests

Seed enhancement
Seed enhancements help seeds germinate and seedlings emerge quickly and uniformly throughout the field.
  • introduction

  • seed coating

  • seed pelleting

  • seed priming

  • upgrading

Commercialization
Seed commercialization is the process of delivering top quality seed to the marketplace so farmers will have the best possible chance of economically producing high yielding, high-quality crops.
  • introduction

  • identity preservation

  • genetic purity

  • coexistence

  • certification programs

  • intellectual property protection
    - fingerprinting
    - genotyping

  • regulation of genetically engineered varieties