This year follows a century of major advances in maize breeding, genetics, and now, genomics. These advances are a product of a dedicated group of researchers. What is the origin of the development and training of maize breeders and geneticists that have produced the bountiful maize lines, hybrids, and genetics that has lead to the current thrust into maize genomics? How has this group impacted plant genetics research? The Mendelian rediscovery did not influence maize breeders' strategies, as maize selections were well underway by the turn of the century. Maize line development had a unique beginning. Following the maize lines that have had some permanence in the current period, it is evident that Perry G. Holden was a leading figure in maize improvement in l895. Much of his early selected germplasm went into the development of Iowa Stiff Stalk Synthetic (BSSS) populations. Those early maize breeders participated in eyeball selection, as ear to row selection was yet to be practiced (Hallauer 2002). However, the training of maize breeders and geneticists in the 20th century had its beginnings with a bequest by the Boston philanthropist Benjamin Bussey I when he endowed the Bussey Institute to Harvard University for the development of horticultural pursuits. This Institute was a focus of genetic activity in the early part of the 20th century and the descendants of that early beginning are some of the leaders in plant investigations today. This activity in plant breeding and genetics is destined to continue well into the future as graduates of these descendants continue leading edge pursuits in plant genetics (Peterson 1999).

English

0309|AGRIS 0301|AL-Maize Program

Juan Carlos Mendieta

CIMMYT Publications Collection