Find methods and objectives of plant breeding explained below.
What is Plant Breeding – Definition?
Definition: Plant breeding is an art and science which deals with changing genotypes of the plants, to adapt them to the service of human being.
Objectives or Aims of Plant Breeding
It deals with the improvement of various characters. While implying breeding methods breeder always considers multiple characters, even in conditions where any single character is dominant. Characters are considered depending on various factors like crop, growing area etc.
- High yields
- Improving quality characters
- Disease resistance
- Insect or pest resistance
- Broadening growing area
- Modifying agronomic characteristics [dwarfing (height), determinate growth (branching), Tillering etc.]
- Varieties suitable for new season
- Changing maturity duration
- Non-shattering characteristics
- Uniformity in product
- Synchronous Maturity
- Dormancy
- Salt Tolerance
- Cold tolerance
- Drought or moisture stress tolerance
- Modification to make better use of inputs
- Elimination of unwanted ones, like toxic substances, prickles or irritant hairs
Plant Breeding Methods or Techniques
Various breeding methods used are listed below. Visit respective pages for the detailed information.
- Plant introduction method
- Pure line selection – Selection method
- Mass selection – Selection method
- Pedigree method – Method used to handle segregating generations
- Bulk method – Method used to handle segregating generations
- Back cross method – Method used to handle segregating generations
- Single seed descent method – Modification of bulk method
- Hybridization
- Recurrent selection
- Clonal breeding
- Mutation breeding
- Composite variety production
- Synthetic variety production
- Multiline variety production