Breeding of Vegetable, Spice and Tuber crops (2+1)

Use of heterosis in crop improvement programme

• Gains in yield and yield stability offered by heterosis have prompted use of hybrids in several crops.
• Genetic yielding ability has been increased greatly, and thus total production has been increased, with minimal dependence on chemical inputs and maximum use of biological power.
• Enthusiasm and funds have been directed to hybrid breeding, in part because of the proven efficiency of the inbred/hybrid method for producing products that farmers need and want, and in part because private capital was attracted to the profit potential of hybrid breeding and sales.
• The inbred/hybrid method has given breeders greater precision in developing, identifying, and multiplying the best hybrid genotypes in cross-pollinated crops