Re: Exploding pumpkins - New theory

In a message dated 4/21/99 6:18:27 PM Eastern Daylight Time, 
polaris@WOLFENET.com writes:

> I don't think this is true.  Environmental conditions play a role in plant
>  development that you can't ignore, even in genetically identical
>  individuals.  For example, three other plants that I grow clones of--
>  potatoes, garlic, and apples--do not grow identical plants even though
>  they are genetically identical.  The individual plants respond to soil,
>  water, nutrient and light conditions, slight differences in pruning, etc.
>  which leads to distinct but similar individuals.  For instance, a
>  difference in nutrient or water distribution, or differences in warmth
>  lead to different root structures both from the main vine and from the
>  leaf nodes which can lead to differences in the vines, fruit growth, and
>  possibly sex expression in the flowers.  You would have to perform an
>  experiement to see the extent of the dependence on environment, which
>  would be fascinating but based on my experience there would be more
>  difference than you might expect.
>  
>  Shaun
>  

But this is EXACTLY what I am talking about....of course the environmental 
factors would make a difference, that is the point! The idea is to have a 
perfect control, so that we then KNOW what is due to environment and cultural 
practices and not genetics. It would rule out genetics in ANY differences, 
therefore revealing what is controlled by genetics, and what is really due to 
cultural practices and environmental differences. The main obstacle in 
research is isolating genetic factors from envronmental factors. It would be 
the biggest breakthrough in AG's growing research, probably ever, if this was 
done.


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