Scientists are searching for apomixis genes that could be sp

Scientists are searching for apomixis genes that could be spliced into hybrid food crops. Apomixis would be a desirable trait in these crops because it would

increase the crop yield in each succeeding year.

enable production of genetically diverse seeds from hybrids.

enable production of genetically identical seeds from hybrids.

ensure crops that would be adapted to a greater range of environments.

Solution

A) Apomixiss is the asexual form of reproduction in which the progeny formed is genetically identical to it\'s maternal genotype.

Now, hybrid food crops are the desirable crops which have the desired characteristics like resistance t o drought, resistant to pests etc. now, it is desired that it produces gentically similar crops every time. therefore, apomictic genes are introduced in these hybrid crops so, that they reproduce asexually and produce gentically identical progeny to it\' s mother.

b) to enable genetically diverse seeds from hybrids, it is essen tial to carry out the sexual reproduction with the plant with desired characteristic. but if the case is of apomixis the sexual reproduction is ruled out. here the genetically diverse seeds can be produced with somatic mutations. these are produced as a result of the chnage in enviornment.

There are two types of apomictic plants : obligate and facultative.

Obligate reproduce only asexually

Facultative can reproduce both sexually and asexually. they can be used when some genetic variability is desired.

C) production of genetically identical seeds from hybrids is possible using obligate apomictic genes in the hybrid that will allow them to reproduce asexually and producing genetically identical seeds to its mother.

D) Tolerability to greater range of enviornments could be achieved by taking a population of obligate apomicts as a variety of unique hybrid genotypes. To have this set up, multiple genotypic varieties of a specific crop line could be produced. particularly, diverse populations could be developed that have many combinations of hybrids that are variable for certain characteristics whereas uniform for some others. having a greater population with number of characteristics can gives us the crop that has tolerability to a wider range of the enviornmental conditions.