Pedigree method of plant breeding includes following steps. This is a general procedure; it may differ according to various conditions.
| Step | Details |
|---|---|
| Hybridization | Crossing between selected parent plants is the first step in pedigree method. |
| F1 generation | Seeds obtained by hybridization (F1 seeds) are planted with proper sowing distance. Seeds of about 20-30 plants are harvested in bulk and forwarded to grow F2 generation. |
| F2 generation | Selection is the main process carried in this step. About 10,000 plants are grown from F1 generation seeds (F2 seeds). With application of selection process about 500 plants are selected and harvested separately. |
| F3 generation | About 30 or more progenies are raised from each of the selected plant of F2 generation. About 100-400 superior plants (the number could be anything, preferably less than those selected in F2 generation) are selected |
| F4 generation | Seeds from F3 generation are space planted. Plants with desirable characters are selected in number much less than those selected in F3 generation. |
| 5 generation | Individual plant progenies planted in multi row (3 or more) plots so that superior plants (about 50 – 100) can be selected by comparison. |
| F6 generation | Individual plant progenies planted in multi row (3 or more) plots. Plants are selected based on visual evaluation, progenies showing segregation can be eliminated. |
| F7 generation | Preliminary yield trials with minimum 3 replications and a check. Quality tests are conducted. |
| F8 to F12 generation | Multi-location yield trials with replications are conducted. Tests for quality and disease resistance are conducted. |
| F10 or F13 generation | Seed multiplication for distribution. |
Visit Pedigree method – advantages and applications to know advantages, disadvantages and applications of the method.