To our class entitled
Breeding Methods for Self and Cross Pollinated Crops (GPB-465)
Dr. Md. Deluar Hossain, Dean, Faculty of Agriculture & Agril. Econ.
Theory Syllabus
Introductory Subject matters
Definition of Genetics, Breeding and Plant breeding
Scope and importance of genetics and Plant breeding
Introduction of gene
Self and Cross Pollinated Crops
Definition
Difference between self and cross pollinated crops
Theory Syllabus (Continued)
Variability and crop improvement
Biometrical approach in plant breeding
Variety and cultivars in plant breeding
Genetic Variability and Crop Improvement
Genetic Variability: The tendency of individual
genetic characteristics in a population to vary from one
another. The potential of a genotype to change or
deviate when exposed to environmental or genetic
factors.
Crop improvement: Crop improvement refers to the
genetic alteration of plants to satisfy human needs. It
becomes necessary to increase the crop variety to
produce disease-resistance offsprings of the crops. It
also helps in providing better and superior varieties
Important Methods of Breeding Cross-Pollinated Species
The most important methods of breeding cross-pollinated species are:
(1) Mass selection;
(2) Development of hybrid varieties; and
(3) Development of synthetic varieties.
Mass Selection: In mass selection seeds are collected from (usually a few dozen to a few
hundred) desirable appearing individuals in a population, and the next generation is sown
from the stock of mixed seed. It is the simplest method used in which larger number of
plants are there with same phenotype. Selection of seeds of these plants are harvested and
mixed to result in a new form or a new variety.
Hybrid: Progeny obtained through crossing between two genetically dissimilar parents is
called hybrid.
Synthetic variety: A synthetic variety is developed by intercrossing a number of
genotypes of known superior combining ability—i.e., genotypes that are known to give
superior hybrid performance when crossed in all combinations. Open- pollination is
allowed and produce crosses in all combinations. All possible crosses among the selected
lines are made in isolation Equal amount of seed from each cross is composite to produce
the synthetic variety. The population derived from this composited seed is known
Plant Breeding Activities
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
Steps of Genetic Engineering
• Step 1: DNA Extraction. The process of genetic
engineering requires the successful completion of a
series of five steps.
• Step 2 : Gene Cloning.
• Step 3 : Gene Design.
• Step 4 : Transformation.
• Step 5 : Backcross Breeding.
Hybridization
Hybridization: Hybridization is the process of interbreeding/crossing between individuals of
different species to produce hybrid. Hybridization is the process of producing a hybrid.
The steps of hybridization process are:
Selection of the parents
Evaluation of the parents
Emasculation of the parents
Selfing of the parents
Pollination
Bagging
Tagging
Harvesting
Threshing and
Drying and
Storing
Objectives of Hybridization
• To create genetic variability
• To bring together desired qualitative characters found in different
plants or plant lines into one plant or plant line i.e. to transfer desired
character/s from other varieties to the considered one.
• To make F1 useful as hybrid variety
• Improvement of one or more quantitative characters
Variety and Cultivars in Plant Breeding
Strain:
Variety:
Cultivar:
Inbreed line:
Pure line:
Land races:
Wild species:
Absolute cultivars:
Germplasm:
A strain is a designated group of offspring that are
either descended from a modified plant (produced
by conventional breeding or by biotechnological
means), or which result from genetic mutation.
