There will be a renewed interest in plant taxonomy and evolutionary relationships as we begin to use evolution and non-model organisms of phylogenetic importance in order to study the basis of function and phenotype. Not just evo-devo where this is hot now, but in terms of resistance of crop diseases, secondary metabolite pathways and bioenergy where the big $$ are. These guys will soon figure out there are a lot of answers to their basic questions that cannot be found in Arabidopsis thaliana alone. Having an evolutionary study (i.e. molecular phylogeny) in a typical plant molecular biology paper is rapidly becoming the norm, and for that you need a good, well resolved phylogeny.

There will be a renewed interest in plant taxonomy and evolutionary relationships as we begin to use evolution and non-model organisms of phylogenetic importance in order to study the basis of function and phenotype. Not just evo-devo where this is hot now, but in terms of resistance of crop diseases, secondary metabolite pathways and bioenergy where the big $$ are. These guys will soon figure out there are a lot of answers to their basic questions that cannot be found in Arabidopsis thaliana alone. Having an evolutionary study (i.e. molecular phylogeny) in a typical plant molecular biology paper is rapidly becoming the norm, and for that you need a good, well resolved phylogeny.

@Vijaya,

I think molecular characterization is important and useful only when one knows that what he/she has to confirm.

Classical taxonomy based on the field characters is the main base for determining a species which can be further investigated from various angles depending upon the objectives. using plant molecular biology. Hence, to have an idea of the classical nomenclature and more importantly ecological characters of any plant species is a must for molecular biology studies. Ultimately all the things in nature are inter-related and so are the branches of our subject.

Cheers..!!

Personally, I think we should attempt the alpha-taxonomy approach (classical) first using morphology, field surverys and herbarium observations, first. Following which, a complementary assessment, using current molecular tools, etc, to authenticate the initial taxonomic deductions based on morphology. This dual approach had serve us well for ressolving taxonomic issues in mangrove plants. For example, to sort out Ceriops decandra and Ceriops zippeliana.

https://www.researchgate.net/publication/233324553_On_the_morphology_and_molecular_basis_of_segregation_of_Ceriops_zippeliana_and_C._decandra_%28Rhizophoraceae%29_from_Asia?ev=prf_pub

Article On the morphology and molecular basis of segregation of Ceri...

After doing the dual approach (classical alpha taxonmy and complementary molecular techniques) to ressolve the various species, adding a phylogenetic mindset will give an interesting perspective to the entire classification process. We had encounter rather positive results for the recent works on Ceriops, a mangrove genus.

https://www.researchgate.net/publication/233280250_Molecular_phylogeny_and_evidence_for_natural_hybridization_and_historical_introgression_between_Ceriops_species_%28Rhizophoraceae%29?ev=prf_pub

Article Molecular phylogeny and evidence for natural hybridization a...

@Jean,

Thanks for your suggestion. I fully agree with you. To my mind, molecular tools will be more helpful when we know at the morphological, cytological and biochemical levels about the organism/species we are going to study.

Sidhu, here is an example of the (classical) chart that we produce through morphological studies, before embarking further and deeper into specific mangrove genus. We used the comparative approach, even in our botanical photography, in order to help newcomers into the field of research. The wide availability of digital cameras helped us to produce attractive photos such that we can attract more young people into this traditional area of plant taxonomy.

Here is part 2 of the simple comparative mangrove plant chart. Once any researcher can figure out the basic morphological similarities and differences, diving deeper into the subject through molecular tools will surely be more meaningful.

Cheers!

@Jean,

Absolutely true. Making the new comers aware about the plant species through photographs is the best, easy and attractive method. This will also conserve the plant resources. One can reach near to the taxonomic address of the species through photographs while working in the field. It is easy to carry the electronic version of the photographs during filed surveys and can be of great help.