Science Buddies: "Ask an Expert"

Hi! I'm considering doing my research project on crossbreeding plants. Specifically, I'd like to see if I can crossbreed a crop with a related species that is drought resistant, pest resistant, or higher yield...etc. It would have to be a crop that grows quickly and doesn't take up too much space - I'm thinking lettuce or spinach, maybe?

How closely related do plants have to be to produce offspring? I read an article on how a scientist crossbred common beans and tepary beans by growing the embryo in lab - would this be possible for my project? Also, how would I find a species related to lettuce or spinach that is resistant to drought or pests?

Thanks!

Just thinking out loud here... possibly spinach (Spinacia oleracea) crossbred with Atriplex halimus (for its salt/drought tolerance)?

Hi,

That sounds like a worthy project, to introduce salt tolerance into a crop plant such as spinach that normally is not salt-tolerant. Plants are easier to cross than animals and since spinach and saltbush are in the same family, an intergeneric cross may be possible. I am no expert in plant breeding although I am familiar with genetics. Maybe you have more experience in making viable plant crosses.

One thing that occurs to me is that you will somehow have to get the two plants to flower at the same time so you can cross-pollinate them. I have grown spinach and I know that it takes almost the whole summer before it bolts and makes a flower head. I don't know anything about A. halimus. You may have to just grow some and see how long it takes to flower. This is obviously not a project you can do in two weeks. Once you make the crosses and get fertile seeds, you will have to grow the hybrids and test them to see if they have the salt/drought-tolerant characters of the parent plant.

Let us know what you plan to do and we will try to help you map out a good project.

Good luck,

Sybee