Glossary Plant Breeding

Biochemical Genetics. A branch of genetics dealing with the chemical nature of genes
and their mode of action in development and function.
Biochemical Markers. Biochemicals such as proteins or enzymes used to identify a
particular biological structure or function. They are limited in number, and specific to
tissues and developmental-stages. However, they can be used reliably in the selection
of superior genotypes. These are inexpensive, and can be generated on a large scale.
Biofertilizers. A misnomer that includes a variety of biologicalagentssuchasbluegreen
algae, azolla, rhizobium, azospirillum, and a host of green manure and green leaf
manure crops including the stem nodulating Sesbania rostrata.
Biofortification. Genetic modification and bioprocessing for the improvement of
nutritional quality of food. It is beneficial in developing countries compared to the
developed ones, which have easy access to alternative means for meeting
requirements of mineral nutrients and vitamins. Recent developments of golden rice,
high iron rice, high protein potatoes are but a few examples of genetic fortification.
Bioinformatics. A truly inter-disciplinary subject that combines biology, mathematics
and computer softwares. It involves the use of information technology in studying
life sciences: a combination of IT and biotechnology. All the information (results) of
molecular biology are based on experiments on the theory of trial and error. Also, it
requires costly chemicals, time and wastage of labour. This wastage can be avoided
with bioinformatics because simulation of protein sequences using mathematical
models in computers and studying them helps us save a lot of time, and provides
quicker and accurate results.
Biological Nitrogen Fixation. The fixation of atmospheric nitrogen in form of protein
by microorganisms such as bacteria. Such bacteria contain nif genes, expression of
which lead to the production of an enzyme, called nitrogenase. This enzyme converts
free nitrogen into ammonia, then to amino acid and ultimately to protein.
Biological Yield. The total yield of a plant material.
Biometrical Genetics. The statistical description of similarity and differences between
groups of organisms for the characters showing continuous variation. It uses
statistical parameters such as means, variances, covariances, and the like. It is the
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