Genes, Enzymes, and Populations

The present volume includes the large majority of papers given at the symposium entitled "Fundamental Approaches to Plant and Animal Improvement," held at Cali, Colombia, in November, 1972. The primary focal points were on various genetic mechanisms, including gene action and mutation, the development of phenotypic attributes, and on evolution, including that controlled by man for agricultural purposes. In fact, very little referring in any particular way to animal improvement was included, while a great deal of attention was paid to higher plants and to microorganisms. On the other hand, both the population genetics of insects and insect control were considered. Thus Genes, Enzymes, and Populations, the title given to this published work, seems to me to represent somewhat more fairly the contents than does the original symposium title. Given the intent of the symposium, which is expressed in the original title, the published record cannot be expected to be a neatly packaged presentation of some highly defined subject matter. Indeed the diverse subjects represent some, but by no means all, of the varied and dynamic scientific activities that need to be components in the improvement and production of agriculturally Significant plants at a time when world populations are rapidly increasing and shortages of food occurring. In any case, the organizers of the symposium wisely decided that considerations of environment as well as of genetics should be introduced into the thinking of the group and that physiology and molecular biology could not be ignored.