Principles of Plant Breeding

Sexual reproduction

• Here specialized reproductive cells are called gametes are formed. Fusion of male and female gamete leads to the development of embryo and eventually seed which is utilized for propagation. These are two types viz., Isogamy and Heterogamy.

Isogamy: The fusion of gametes which are morphologically similar and hence termed as Isogamy.E.g., Mucor.

Heterogamy: The fusion of gametes which are morphologically dissimilar termed as heterogamy.E.g., All higher plant (Flowering plants).

Typical flower: The reproductive structure in flowers. The flowers commonly consists of four organs namely sepsis, petals, stamens (male organs) and pistil (female organ). Both stamens and pistil are known as reproductive parts.

Kinds of flower: The flower contains all four floral organs are called complete flower.E.g., Hibiscus, Soybean, etc.

Incomplete flowers: The flower lacks one or two of these floral organs. Crops belonging to grass family including corn, sorghum, and paddy lack petals and sepals. The flowers of buckwheat and sugar beet lack petals.