Can genetics grow a better garden?

• Gregor Mendel started his genetic studies with peas because they were easy to grow, varied, and agriculturally important.
• He meticulously selected strains displaying distinct traits to cross and observe inheritance patterns.

• Mendel discovered inheritance is about the transmission of discrete factors, not blending traits.
• This insight led to understanding dominant and recessive inheritance patterns fundamental to genetics.

Seed banks play a crucial role in preserving genetic diversity for plants, ensuring species resilience against climate change and disease threats. Angela Cano explains how the Cambridge University Botanic Garden collects seeds from various localities, focusing on genetic diversity to propagate and sustain living collections.

Genetic traits like drought resistance can be identified and selectively propagated, aiding in developing plants adapted for future climate conditions. For example, seeds from drier regions like Croatia are collected to introduce species that can thrive as Cambridge's climate becomes drier.

Additionally, understanding the genetics behind plant traits, such as nectar production and flower structure, can improve pollination efficiency and plant fitness. Genetic techniques including selective breeding and advanced gene editing like CRISPR offer powerful tools to develop hardier, more productive plants. Ian Henderson discusses how advances in plant immunity and drought tolerance genes are transforming crop resilience.

“As Ian outlined, we await to see if there's sufficient urgency and legislative courage for this range of genetic conservation methods to revolutionise this field.”