Re: HYB:Meta-genes-

Robert, et al,
 
Please forgive me, I know I'm very self absorbed.  I have to constantly remind
myself that other people do things that take them away from the computer.
 
It was not my intention to say "I already said that." but I suppose I sounded
that way.  I was hoping instead that "meta genes" was a name for my
speculation. 

You (Robert Pries) said that meta genes are produced under environmental
stressors and modify the normal expression of genes.  You did not specify if
these genes are produced in the gametes or if they are part of the RNA as
well.
 
Then, perhaps I am seeing meta genes expressed in my garden in the form of
these irises which bloom polytepal.  This expression, the extra/absent parts,
is often labeled as "frost damage".  When I posted last month, my intention
was to say..."Hey wait a minute, this behavior is too consistent, at least in
these particular plants, to be dismissed as "frost damage.""  I'm saying
there's too much variation in the expression of "frost damage".  Perhaps there
is a distinction between meta-gene, frost activated, polytepal and "frost
damage".  
 
What if these cultivars that bloom polytepal when it frosts are
saying..."Dude, I got your frost tolerant genes right here."  Or, perhaps the
frost activated polytepal signals some other gene complex, like maybe
flatties. <vbg>  No, you don't want the polytepal blooms, (especially
inconsistent ones) but if they are a step toward something else-- you have to
take the step or miss the whole escalator.
 
Of course Robert is right... it would have to be tested to be confirmed.  Does
my thinking even sound sane?
 
Christian
 
 

In a message dated 6/19/2008 8:45:25 A.M. Mountain Daylight Time,
robertpries@embarqmail.com writes:

Betty;

A year ago I would have said that seed from stressed  plants would not affect
the genes of the seedlings. For many years the concept  of acquired
characteristics was pooh poohed in genetics. If the parents had  good genes
then they
should pass this on regardless of conditions.

Recently there has been discovered what are called meta genes. What  these do
is to attach to the normal genes and modify their effect. These meta  genes
are produced by the parents when undergoing certain environmental  stimuli
and
cane4 be passed on and endow there offspring with some potential  to cope
with
the same type of stress. Therefore if this situation applies in  this case
(which we have yet to know) then the viable seeds may well be better  adapted
then even the parents. Maybe Lysenko the Russian geneticist who  destroyed
Russian agriculture wasn't totally wrong.

Philosophically  this may lead to a few speculations. Perhaps a cross made in
a harsher  environment may produce better adapted progeny then the same cross
made in an  idyllic environment.----Bob Pries ( just getting settled in NC,
already  planting, but still unpacking the furniture).

----- Original Message  -----
From: autmirislvr@aol.com
To: iris@hort.net
Sent: Wednesday,  June 18, 2008 4:25:31 PM (GMT-0600) America/Chicago
Subject: [iris]  HYB:CULT

Several times in the past, we've discussed the health of the  pod parent
as it relates to the seedlings.

Many of us have had  several months of conditions not favorable to
irises.  Freeze,  drought, freeze, freeze, heat.

These plants have been stressed big  time.

Can we expect decent seedlings from the pods we have   (assuming the
parents are good,) or will their poor conditions doom these  babies to
poor genes?

Will the good genes kick in even if the  conditions were poor?

Betty W.
Bridge In Time Irises
KY
Zone  6

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