Phillips R L
Department of Agronomy and Plant Genetics, University of Minnesota, St Paul 55108.
Am J Clin Nutr. 1993 Aug;58(2 Suppl):259S-263S. doi: 10.1093/ajcn/58.2.259S.
Plant breeding represents an evolving technology based largely on genetic principles. Approximately one-half of the increased yields of major crop plants can be attributed to the genetic improvement of the crop. Although the breeding technology and undergirding science are sound, additional information on the biochemical pathways underlying agronomic and quality traits and their genetic control would allow new genetic technologies to be used more fully. Current developments in molecular biology, plant cell and tissue culture, genetic engineering, and use of molecular genetics will facilitate the selection of complex traits. Genetic improvement of plants in the future will be based on an integration of modern plant-breeding methods and the new genetic technologies. Thus, the new genetic approaches do not represent a replacement technology but will add to the arsenal of tools available for improving crops.
植物育种是一项不断发展的技术，很大程度上基于遗传原理。主要农作物产量增长的大约一半可归因于作物的遗传改良。尽管育种技术和基础科学是可靠的，但关于农艺性状和品质性状背后的生化途径及其遗传控制的更多信息，将使新的遗传技术得到更充分的利用。分子生物学、植物细胞与组织培养、基因工程以及分子遗传学的应用等当前进展，将有助于复杂性状的选择。未来植物的遗传改良将基于现代植物育种方法与新遗传技术的整合。因此，新的遗传方法并非替代技术，而是会增加可用于改良作物的工具库。
