Hybrid varieties

The development of hybrid varieties differs from hybridization in

that no attempt is made to produce a pure-breeding population; only the
F1hybrid plants are sought. The F1 hybrid of crosses between different
genotypes is often much more vigorous than its parents. This hybrid vigor,
or heterocyst, can be manifested in many ways, including increased rate of
growth, greater uniformity, earlier flowering, and increased yield, the last
being of greatest importance in agriculture.
By far the greatest development of hybrid varieties has been in corn (maize),
primarily because its male flowers (tassels) and female flowers (incipient
ears) are separate and easy to handle, thus proving economical for the
production of hybrid seed. The production of hand-produced F1hybrid seed
of other plants, including ornamental flowers, has been economical only
because greenhouse growers and home gardeners have been willing to pay
high prices for hybrid seed.