Plant Breeding for the Home Gardener

February 4, 2013
In his first book, horticulturist and geneticist Tychonievich tries to help average gardeners avoid feeling intimidated about DNA manipulation of plants. He likens the latter process to passing on a family chocolate-chip cookie recipe. Even so, the associated science, and terms such as genes, chromosomes, recombination, polypoidy, and (hold your nose) inbreeding are unavoidable and plentiful. With his playful attitude, the writer helps the gardener understand the problematic nature of inbreeding: “If you take a plant, and make it have sex with itself by self-pollinating it, then in the next generation, the number of genes which are heterozygous drops, on average, in half.” The analogies are helpful. While only the resolute gardener will benefit from this book, that gardener will also be thankful that a skilled geneticist with a green thumb and a heart for the average citizen has opened up a universe of horticultural possibility to those who, for too long, have had to defer to the scientific elite when it comes to DNA manipulation.

Starred review from April 1, 2013

Creating new plant varieties sounds like an activity that should be carried out by botanists in sterile labs, but Tychonievich (nursery manager, Arrowhead Alpines) skillfully explains how anyone can develop new plants in a backyard garden. The book covers the history of plant breeding, plant genetics, breeding goals, evaluating and selecting plants, how to make a cross (i.e., cross breed or hybridize plants), and advanced plant-breeding techniques. The final chapter includes directions for breeding particular flowers and vegetables. Despite the specialized topic, the author has written an accessible, easy-to-read book, one that novice gardeners will be able to use to create tastier tomatoes or more fragrant carnations. Concepts, ideas, and steps are clearly described, and line illustrations are included where useful. Tychonievich also includes recommended readings, useful websites, and a list of plant sources. VERDICT New and seasoned gardeners will appreciate this nicely presented book. It could even spur caregivers or teachers to get kids into the garden, growing their very own varieties of vegetables.--Lisa Ennis, Univ. of Alabama, Birmingham, Lib.

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