Plant Breeding

What is Quantitative Inheritance? Characteristics of Quantitative Inheritance Quantitative inheritance is a complex genetic phenomenon characterized by the inheritance of traits influenced by multiple genes. This type of inheritance plays a critical role in the expression of various traits in organisms, especially those that demonstrate continuous variation rather than discrete categories. Examples of Quantitative Inheritance … Read more

Polyploidy plays a pivotal role in plant breeding, especially in enhancing the genetic diversity and adaptability of crops. Polyploidy refers to the condition in which a plant has more than two complete sets of chromosomes, a state that naturally occurs due to irregularities in mitotic or meiotic divisions. These irregularities can lead to an increase … Read more

What is Distant Hybridization (Wide hybridization)? Definition of Distant Hybridization Distant hybridization, or wide hybridization, refers to the crossing of individuals from different species or genera that are more distantly related than varieties within the same species, aiming to introduce novel traits and increase genetic diversity. History of Distant Hybridization Objectives of Distant Hybridization Barriers … Read more

Mutations play a significant role in crop improvement by introducing genetic variability, which can be harnessed to develop new and improved crop varieties. A mutation is defined as a sudden and heritable change in an organism’s characteristics. This definition implies that the change must be inheritable, though it does not specify the genetic mechanisms underlying … Read more

What is Backcross Method? Definition of Backcross Method The backcross method is a breeding technique where a hybrid or progeny is repeatedly crossed with one of its original parent plants to transfer specific traits from the donor parent to the recipient parent while preserving the recipient’s original characteristics. Requirements of a backcross programme To effectively … Read more

What is Bulk Method? Definition of Bulk Method The bulk method, developed by Nilsson-Ehle in 1908, is a plant breeding technique where large quantities of plants from the F1 generation and subsequent generations are grown in bulk. Individual plants are only selected and evaluated after a prolonged bulking period, distinguishing it from methods like the … Read more

What is Pedigree Method? Definition of Pedigree Method The pedigree method is a plant breeding technique where individual plants from segregating generations are selected and documented through detailed pedigree records. This method aims to develop genetically uniform pureline varieties by maintaining and selecting plants until progenies exhibit no further genetic variation. Procedure for the Pedigree … Read more

What is Pureline Selection? Definition of Pureline Selection Pureline selection is a plant breeding method where individual plants are selected from a self-pollinated crop, and their progeny are evaluated. The best-performing progeny, derived from a single homozygous plant, is released as a pureline variety, ensuring genetic uniformity. History of Pureline Selection Characteristics of Pureline Selection … Read more

What is Mass Selection Method? Definition of Mass Selection Method Mass selection is a plant breeding method where a large number of plants with desirable traits are selected based on observable characteristics, and their seeds are pooled together to create a new variety. This method aims to improve the population’s uniformity for these traits while … Read more

What is Inbreeding depression? Definition of Inbreeding depression Inbreeding depression is the reduced biological fitness and health of offspring resulting from the mating of closely related individuals, which increases homozygosity and exposes deleterious recessive alleles. History of Inbreeding depression History of Inbreeding Depression Effects of Inbreeding Inbreeding, or the mating of closely related individuals, has … Read more