Re: pumpkin/squash

pumpkins@mallorn.com wrote:
> 
> Steve: The genetics in the plant are already set, an outside source of genes
> cannot change the characteristics of an organism, the fruit color and size is
> already set in the genes of the plant no outside influence can change that. the
> pollen from the pumpkin plant would contain it's own gene code which would mix
> with the squash genes and be carried in the seeds.
> 
> Glenn Peters
> 

Dear Glenn
  I better reply to the above because your grammar or facts are
completely wrong. Any breedder believin the two statements could lose
years of work. 
  Point #2 blending of characters. Mendel's huge discovery 140(?) years
ago was that characters do not blend. Prior to that, blending of
characters as believed. That is because traits like size of pumpkin
depends upon many genes and the effect seems to a blending. 
  Point #1 If pumpkin skin color is due to a single locus (I do not
know), then you will get green offspring in testcrosses or grand
childern. If any uses pollen from a green plant you want to stay away
from him--his seed will be contaminated for years. 
  Any pumpkin breeded who does not believe my two points should get a
highschool biology book and read it tonight or visit one of the
websites. search for "Mendelian Genetics". 
  Flower color in 4 o'clock is an example. If you cross a Pure red with
a pure white all the offspring will be pink. Cross them and you get 1
red ; 2 pink : 1 white. In peas the childern will all be red and in the
second cross: 3 red : 1 white. 
  I suspect skin color in pumpkin is not as simple. I suspect two or
more loci affect skin color. [I am only guessing.]
  I should think someone would collect the known pumpkin genetics and
place it on his web site. Perhaps, no genetics is known!! If anyone
wants to do that, I would be happy to help (free) as I am always
interested in genetics of any crop and have been doing crosses since
about 1940 (I was in he first grade and I did most of them wrong; but
Burbank made the same error.) 
-- 
Harold Eddleman Ph.D. Microbiologist.       i*@disknet.com 
Location: Palmyra IN USA; 36 kilometers west of Louisville, Kentucky
http://www.disknet.com/indiana_biolab = Agriculture, science projects
and info for amateurs, gardeners, farmers, teachers, kids
http://wwbbs.otherside.com/PUBLIC/HOMEPAGE/haroldeddleman_303/INDEX.HTM
  Home Science Projects: fun for parent and child, Computer programs 
http://ibl.webjump.com/ger.htm <== Simple german for beginners.



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