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Ankeny, Iowa

I've been doing some thinking lately about the genetic diversity of the A.G strains. There are so many different plant and fruit phenotypes and genotypes within the A.G strain. My question is: Is there any scientific evidence that suggests weather or not an A.G. plant can be manipulated by either natural or artificial means to express certain phenotypic properties such as size, bright color, strong vigour, or the coveted "weighing heavy" gene? Is gene expression in A.G's linked to the environment as well as to genetics? This question is one thing that I've been thinking of for a couple of years now and I'm just wondering if anyone has researched this or knows of a data base that may contain information about it?
Any comments or help will be greatly appreciated.

Thanks,
Junior

9/23/2007 6:18:21 PM

Pocatello (cliffwarren@yahoo.com)

I think much is speculated but little is known. ;-)

We've seen two differently colored fruit on the SAME PLANT (not just the same seed stock). Genetic diversity indeed. And that observation might support the argument that there is a nutritional or environmental component to the expression of some genes.

When it comes to color, I think we have multiple genes involved.

We really have a mixed bag of genes out there. Most of us don't really know what we have in our seeds... remember every seed in every fruit is different. (Example: 1370 Rose.)

9/24/2007 11:45:46 AM

Menomonie, WI (mail@gr8pumpkin.net)

I have 4 of the same seeds planted this year from a 1370 Rose. 1 White Pumpkin Round, 1 Salmon Pumpkin(round), and one beautiful Orange one. The Dark green vine threw the white. The yellow vines threw salmon and orange.

9/24/2007 1:21:05 PM