Genetic manipulation in plant breeding: somatic versus generative.

A comparison is made between molecular/ in vitro/somatic and plant-level/generative approaches in the reconstruction of genotypes and reproductive systems. Although classical methods will remain the basis of plant breeding, a number of new somatic as well as generative genetic manipulation techniques are definitely applicable in several special situations. The first are technically more demanding, the latter are often conceptually more difficult, and both are laborious. Choice of approach is determined by the plant species, the stage of development of the techniques, the amount of background genetic information and the genetic diversity available, and the capacity of the institution involved. In the final stages of the program traditional selection and testing procedures remain indispensable. Whether any particular breeding program will profit from the incorporation of sophisticated genetic manipulation techniques must be carefully analysed. This discussion is intended to provide a basis for this analysis.