Re: Diversity in Plant selection-reply
- To: pumpkins@mallorn.com
- Subject: Re: Diversity in Plant selection-reply
- From: C* <C*@aol.com>
- Date: Thu, 15 Jan 1998 14:04:19 EST
Vickie:
I think it's safe to assume that we can take seeds from a 200-400 lb AG with a
solid pedigree and still grow a prizewinner. Size of fruit should not be the
deciding factor, but it certainly carries a lot of weight with a lot of
growers.
Based on my recollection of genetics in college biology eons ago, I still feel
that plant nutrition, cultivation, environment including great weather play a
large role in getting the seed to grow to it's full potential and produce a
record breaker.
It concerns me that so much emphasis is placed on the weight of the pumpkin
that the seeds were harvested from. We could be holding back or disposing of
seeds that are genetically superior; they could be our best shot at a record
breaker.
Maybe some day, there will be a way to isolate the gene or DNA chain that
determines the true potential of the seed. Tests would tell us which seeds are
the best to plant.
Until that time, I prefer Chris Andersen's (and others) approach of charting
the lineage and following the lines out several generations. Noting production
patterns with info on nutrition and environment and growing seed based on
these scientific findings is a logical and sound way to get the "biggest bang
for the buck".
Just MHO. I feel much better now.
Barb
Orlando, FL
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