Selection methods in plant breeding based on mode of reproduction

rdf:langString Selection methods in plant breeding based on mode of reproduction

rdf:langString Plant breeders use different methods depending on the mode of reproduction of crops, which include: * Self-fertilization, where pollen from a plant will fertilise reproductive cells or ovules of the same plant * Cross-pollination, where pollen from one plant can only fertilize a different plant * Asexual propagation (e.g. runners from strawberry plants) where the new plant is genetically identical to its parent * Apomixis (self-cloning), where seeds are produced asexually and the new plant is genetically identical to its parent The mode of reproduction of a crop determines its genetic composition, which, in turn, is the deciding factor to develop suitable breeding and selection methods. Knowledge of mode of reproduction is also essential for its artificial manipulation to breed improved types. Only those breeding and selection methods are suitable for a crop which does not interfere with its natural state or ensure the maintenance of such a state. It is due to such reasons that imposition of self-fertilization on cross-pollinating crops leads to drastic reduction in their performance. For teaching purpose, plant breeding is presented as four categories: Line breeding (autogamous crops), population breeding (allogamous crops), hybrid breeding (mostly allogamous crops, some autogamous crops), clone breeding (vegetatively propagated crops).