Euphytica Editorial on Idiotype

Idiotype and Ideotype

• Idiotype refers to the complete set of hereditary determinants of an organism, encompassing both genotype and plasmotype.
• The concept was first introduced by Siemens in 1921; Rieger et al. (1968) provided a definition highlighting the relationship between idiotypic and genotypic changes.
• The term "idiotype" derives from the Greek "idios," meaning one's own or distinct.
• Ideotype was introduced by Donald in 1968, defined as a biological model designed to behave predictably in a specific environment.
• In agriculture, a crop ideotype represents a plant model anticipated to produce higher yields of grain or oil as a cultivar.
• Donald's summary categorized crop ideotypes by their influence on photosynthesis, growth, and grain production, specifically in cereal plants.
• Despite the established use of idiotype, the introduction of ideotype faced criticism due to its similarity in spelling, although context helps clarify meaning.
• Correct pronunciation distinctions exist: idiotype is pronounced /'idjou, taip/ while ideotype is /'aidiou, taip/, minimizing potential confusion.
• Non-native English speakers may struggle with pronunciation, suggesting the need for clear differentiation between newly coined terms and existing ones.