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Nature 451, 1063-1064 (28 February 2008) | doi:10.1038/4511063a; Published online 27 February 2008

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Biotechnology: A hold on plant meiosis

Peter J. van Dijk1

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The process of meiosis involves genetic shuffling that dilutes the desirable traits of sexually reproducing crops. Identification of a mutation in which shuffling does not occur is a step forward for plant breeders.

Some plants can reproduce clonally through their seeds, resulting in offspring that are genetically identical to the mother plant. This unusual breeding system is called apomixis, and is known from more than 400 wild species, including dandelions, blackberries and various grasses.

  1. Peter J. van Dijk is at KeyGene NV, Agro Business Park 90, 6708 PW Wageningen, the Netherlands.
    Email: peter.van-dijk@keygene.com

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Nature Biotechnology News and Views (01 Apr 2008)