Читать книгу Principles of Plant Genetics and Breeding - George Acquaah - Страница 258

Mendelian genes are also called major genes (or oligogenes). Their effects are easily categorized into several or many non‐overlapping groups. The variation is said to be discrete. Some traits are controlled by several or many genes that have effects too small to be individually distinguished. These traits are called polygenes or minor genes and are characterized by non‐discrete (or continuous) variation, because the effects of the environment on these genes make their otherwise discrete segregation to be readily observed. Scientists use statistical genetics to distinguish between genetic variation due to the segregation of polygenes and environmental variation. Many genes of interest to plant breeders exhibit polygenic inheritance.