ISSN:
1432-2285
Keywords:
Genetic load
;
Plants
;
Mutation
;
Heterosis
;
Inbreeding depression
Source:
Springer Online Journal Archives 1860-2000
Topics:
Biology
,
Agriculture, Forestry, Horticulture, Fishery, Domestic Science, Nutrition
Notes:
Summary Many long-lived plant taxa are characterized by relatively high genetic load levels. This genetic load is manifested as the proportion of offspring that are physiologically handicapped to various degrees. It is proposed that the majority of this load is mutational load and is a consequence of the higher per generation mutation rates that occur in long-lived plants. Higher per generation mutation rates are a result of the chemostat-like accumulation of mutations in the apical initials as the plant grows. Genetic load, therefore, is a function of the postzygotic accumulation of mutations as well as mutations inherited from previous generations.
Type of Medium:
Electronic Resource
URL:
http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/BF00202374
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