Agriculture Reference
In-Depth Information
4
Genetics and Selection of Hemp
Jano ˘ Berenji,
1
Vladimir Sikora,
1
Gilbert Fournier
2
and
Olivier Beherec
3
1
Institute of Field and Vegetable Crops, Novi Sad, Serbia;
2
Faculty of
Pharmacology, University of Paris-Sud, France;
3
FNPC, France
4.1 Introduction
•
What is the role of genetic material in the
creation of a new and unique individual?
How does this individual then produce a
further new generation?
In order to deal comprehensively with the
subject of hemp genetics and selection,
Dr Vladimir Sikora and Dr Jano˘ Berenji,
Director of the Institute of Field and Vegetable
Crops, Novi Sad, Serbia, present the princi-
ples of genetics with a particular emphasis on
hemp.
Following this, Professor Fournier, Director
of the Laboratory of Pharmacology of the
Faculty of Pharmacology at the University of
Paris-Sud, together with Olivier Beherec,
Technical Director of the FNPC, present in
detail the hemp selection methods currently
used in France.
This chapter provides a recap of the essentials
of plant genetics necessary for the reader to
develop an understanding of hemp genetics
and reproduction.
DNA, genes and chromosomes
During the 19th century, three important
developments in the field of biology prepared
the way for modern-day genetics.
1. Charles Darwin published
The Origin of
the Species
.
2. The internal structure of animal and plant
cells started being studied.
3. Mendel published the results of his experi-
ments in plant hybridization.
4.2
Genetics: A Review
1
4.2.1 Fundamentals of plant genetics
and the varietal selection of hemp
Mendel interpreted the results of his crossings
of sweet peas based on the premise that hered-
ity had a particular base that allowed physical
characteristics to be passed, without alteration,
from one generation to another. The theory
that Mendel developed is today called
Mendelism. The intensive study of cells at the
start of the last century yielded the discovery
of chromosomes; that is to say, the hereditary
material found in cell nuclei that is able to
What is genetics?
Founded on a study of heredity and its
variations, genetics provides answers to two
fundamental questions:
•
What are the mechanisms that allow
parents to transmit characteristics to their
offspring?
