Principles of Plant Breeding (2+1)

Activities in plant breeding

• Creation of variation: Genetic variation is a prerequisite for any crop improvement.
• Selection: Identification and isolation of plants and growing their progeny. It is based on phenotype. The efficiency of this activity determines the success of breeding program. Various methods have been designed to develop varieties/strain.
• Evaluation: The newly selected lines/ strain/ population are tested for yield and other traits and compared with the existing best varieties conducted at several location 2-3 years.
• Multiplication: Large scale production of certified seeds of the released and notified varieties. It is produced in a step wise manner.
• Distribution: Seed is sold to the farmers who use it for commercial crop cultivation to reap the economic benefits.
• For an efficient crop improvement programme the above activities have to be properly co-ordinated and efficiently geared to maximize the output. A deficiency in any step will reduce the efficiency.