Plant hybridization can be of two types.
- Intervarietal hybridization
- Distant hybridization
Intervarietal Hybridization
In this type of hybridization, two parents from the same species (may be from two varieties, strains or races of the same species) are crossed.
- Single Cross Hybrids
- Double Cross Hybrids
- Three-way Cross Hybrids
- Triple Cross Hybrids
- Top Cross Hybrids
Single Cross Hybrids
Results from the cross between two pure bred lines and produces an F1 generation called an F1 hybrid (F1 is short for Filial 1, meaning “first offspring). The cross between two different homozygous lines produces an F1 hybrid that is heterozygous; having two alleles, one contributed by each parent and typically one is dominant and the other recessive. The F1 generation is also homogeneous, producing offspring that are all similar to each other.
Double Cross Hybrids
Result from the cross between two different F1 hybrids.
Three-way Cross Hybrids
Result from the cross between one parent that is an F1 hybrid and the other is from an inbred line.
Triple Cross Hybrids
Result from the crossing of two different three-way cross hybrids.
Top Cross Hybrids
Cross between inbred line and OPV.
Distant Hybridization (Population hybrids)
It includes
- Intergeneric hybridization – crossing between parents from the two different genera
- Interspecific hybridization – crossing between parents from two different species
Method followed while crossing of parents varies according to type of the cross. Refer to general procedure for hybridization.
To know what are the other methods of plant breeding visit the page.