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Re: F2 and open Pollinated varieties versus F1

Open pollinated varieties are normal populations of a flowering plant with normally
varying distributions of gene frequencies across the population and between 
individuals.  Purebred strains have genetic variability radically reduced by intensive
inbreeding and elimination of individuals that do not conform to the type.  F1 refers
to the first generation of a cross between two relatively purebred strains or between
two species.  The first generation is relatively uniform, often intermediate between
the two parent strains, but also often more vigorous than either parent strain.

There are two possible interpretations of F2.  Hybrid corn is usually produced by
crossing two F1 hybrids.  The resulting F2 generation is still relatively uniform and
(depending on the cross) is still more vigorous than the F1 generation.

In the old Mendellian sense of F2, the F1 generation of a cross is used as the parents
of an F2 generation in which all the permutations of the genetic potential of the F1
cross are revealed, if you raise enough of the progeny (probably thousands).

I could go into detail about genetic frequencies in populations and the Hardy-Weinberg
principle.  I could explain about the probabilities of the various permutations in an
F2 generation..  Instead I will shut up.
--
Bob Dunning

At 01:12 PM 4/8/97 PDT, Duncan McAlpine wrote:
>Does anyone want to try an explain what this means to the average grower?
>-- 
>> 
>-- 
>Sincerely,  
>
>------------------------------------ FROM: -----------------------------------
>Duncan McAlpine  
>
>
>
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