Genetical Ramblings
How to breed the perfect seed? Now - that is a good question.
Actually, the universe of giant pumpkin growers is a pretty
good bio-lab and is doing a damn good job.
In the last two years, 7 fruit have been grown weighing in over
1,200 pounds - and they came from six different seed stocks and
from diverse genetic backgrounds. (845, 940, 790, 723, 705,
875 - look at where these six came from) And only a fraction of
the seed stocks out there have really been tapped.
In the art of plant breeding, there is a dollop of science but
a whole lotta luck. That means, you take your best offspring
and cross them with the best and throw out the rest - then do
it again and hold your breath.
Think of all the growers out there painstakenly
cross-pollinating their chosen seed after religious genetic
background checks. The offspring of each seed dutifully
monitored and recorded. The best growers will hardly sniff at
a seed until it shows some good stuff. Then crossing the seeds
with the highest potential and crossing their fingers.
The aggy scientists at Davis couldn't do it any better.
vince
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