Crop origins and evolution: Difference between revisions
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The origins of agriculture and domesticated crops are intertwined, and the change from a hunter-gatherer mode to tillage, sowing and harvesting was one of the major technologcal innovations of humankind. This occured some 10,000 years ago in several different locations, and involved the [[domestication]] of wild-relatives of the major crops (see [[History of Agriculture]]. | The origins of agriculture and domesticated crops are intertwined, and the change from a hunter-gatherer mode to tillage, sowing and harvesting was one of the major technologcal innovations of humankind. This occured some 10,000 years ago in several different locations, and involved the [[domestication]] of wild-relatives of the major crops (see [[History of Agriculture]]). | ||
Domestication involves changes in the genetic makeup and morphological appearance of plants (and animals) but the wild-relatives of crop continue today to | Domestication involves changes in the genetic makeup and morphological appearance of plants (and animals) but the wild-relatives of crop continue today to be important sources of genetic diversity and traits to protects domesticated crops from stresses and disease (see [[Plant breeding]]), and knowledge of crop origins is of significant practical importance. | ||
Development of new crops (such as perennial ls) today has the potential to address some of the current environmental challenges such as better water and soil conservation. | |||
==Tracing the ancestors of crops== | ==Tracing the ancestors of crops== | ||
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==Wheat domestication in the Middle East== | |||
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: ''See also [[Wheat]]'' | |||
==Rice domestication in Asia and Western Africa== | |||
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: ''See also [[Rice]]'' | |||
==Maize and bean domestication in the Americas== | |||
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: ''See also [[Maize]]'' | |||
==Genetic events during domestication== | |||
{{stub}} | |||
==New crops by hybridisation and polyploidy== | |||
{{stub}} | |||
: ''See also [[Plant breeding]]'' | |||
Revision as of 19:34, 3 December 2006
The origins of agriculture and domesticated crops are intertwined, and the change from a hunter-gatherer mode to tillage, sowing and harvesting was one of the major technologcal innovations of humankind. This occured some 10,000 years ago in several different locations, and involved the domestication of wild-relatives of the major crops (see History of Agriculture).
Domestication involves changes in the genetic makeup and morphological appearance of plants (and animals) but the wild-relatives of crop continue today to be important sources of genetic diversity and traits to protects domesticated crops from stresses and disease (see Plant breeding), and knowledge of crop origins is of significant practical importance.
Development of new crops (such as perennial ls) today has the potential to address some of the current environmental challenges such as better water and soil conservation.
Tracing the ancestors of crops
Wheat domestication in the Middle East
- See also Wheat
Rice domestication in Asia and Western Africa
- See also Rice
Maize and bean domestication in the Americas
- See also Maize
Genetic events during domestication
New crops by hybridisation and polyploidy
- See also Plant breeding
Further reading
- Chapter 13. Ten thousand years of crop evolution. Paul Gepts. In Chrispeels, Maarten J.; Sadava, David E. (editors) (2003). Plants, Genes and Crop Biotechnology, 2th ed.. Jones and Bartlett. ISBN 0-7637-1586-7.
- Diamond, Jared (1997). Guns, Germs and Steel: A Short History of Everybody for the Last 13,000 Years, 1sh ed.. Vintage. ISBN 0-09-939278-0.