Role mutations play in generating new varieties

[NarnianGarden]

Wow. Thank you for all the info. Any knowledge on what might trigger the aforementioned mutations?

[carolyn137]

Originally Posted by Labradors2

Fascinating stuff, Fusion_power!

Are there any Tetraploid tomato varieties? I know about them from my daylily days, and still grow a few of them in my garden. Tetraploid daylilies are bigger, stronger and more robust than their diploid counterparts. They are like giants! Sounds like something to strive for in tomatoes!

Linda

Yes Linda, there are a few tetraploid tomatoes, but they are accidents of replication, called polygenomic ones ( many genomes) and none are available to the public, and probably should not be, b'c in general they are genetically unstable/

I grow a lot of daylilies and have even bred some. I much prefer dips over tets b'c the latter look so darn artificial to me, aside from being bigger and stronger, as you mentioned.

I prefer a daylily variety that is more natural looking and for me, more beautiful.

Carolyn

[carolyn137]

Originally Posted by NarnianGarden

Wow. Thank you for all the info. Any knowledge on what might trigger the aforementioned mutations?

There are two general knds of mutations, those that are spontaneous and those that are induced, usually by application of specfic chemical inducers.

Spontaneous mutations are the norm, and no specific triggering is required b'c they happen all the time.

Both Fusion and I have spoken to changes in the seed DNA and the mechanisms known and I spoke to plant cell, somatic DNA mutations.

An exampleof using induced mutations is the increasing trend of constucting what are called sterile males, which can be used for breeding of F1 hybrids. They look for mutations in the male parts of the blossom, the pollen bearing anthers which means that no self pollenization can occur, And that saves the very labor intensive process of having to emasculate blossoms by hand.

Carolyn

[Labradors2]

That's a pity that the Tetraploid tommies are unstable!

You are right that the tet daylilies can be a bit "in your face", but they do look so darned healthy and robust! One of my favourites is Hyperion, an oldie, but a goodie - with fragrance!

Linda

Originally Posted by carolyn137

Yes Linda, there are a few tetraploid tomatoes, but they are accidents of replication, called polygenomic ones ( many genomes) and none are available to the public, and probably should not be, b'c in general they are genetically unstable/

I grow a lot of daylilies and have even bred some. I much prefer dips over tets b'c the latter look so darn artificial to me, aside from being bigger and stronger, as you mentioned.

I prefer a daylily variety that is more natural looking and for me, more beautiful.

Carolyn