Breeding open-pollination

There are three general approaches used in Jerusalem artichoke breeding (1) controlled crosses conducted under greenhouse conditions, (2) natural open-pollinated crosses using polycross nurseries, and (3) a variation of the latter where isolated pairs are allowed to cross in the field. Each method has its advantages and disadvantages. 

Recine (V). Cox Orange cross open pollinated X scab-resistant breeding line ripening at start of October, weak to semi-vigorous growth, good ramification, resistant to scab, early-bearing fruit medium size, two-thirds red coloured, prominent lenticels. 

Most breeding programs are aimed at the development of hybrids, although other projects are for the improvement of open-pollinated varieties and synthetic culti-vars. In view of the improvements in yield, disease resistance, uniformity, and self-compatibility achieved in some modifications, open-pollinated varieties have been replaced by hybrids. Varieties have been produced with increased oil content of seeds and/or improvements in oil composition. 

In spite of these hopeful pronouncements and intentions, if one examines carefully many of the agricultural innovations of the twentieth century—innovations that seemed purely technical and hence neutral —one cannot but conclude that many of them created commercial and political monopolies that inevitably diminished the autonomy of the farmer. The revolution in hybrid seeds, particularly corn, had this effect. Since hybrids are either sterile or do not breed "true, the seed company that has bred the parents of the hybrid-cross has valuable property in hybrid seed, which it can sell every year, unlike the open-pollinated varieties which the farmer can select himself. ... 

Oilseed rape has received most attention regarding l bridisation in recent years. In 2012 about half of the NIAB recommended and provisionally recoimnended varieties were hybrids and many showed yield advantages or other desirable traits compared with conventional varieties. These restored hybrids are FI hybrids produced in a variety of ways, usually from crossing inbred lines but sometimes from more complex breeding operations involving open pollinated varieties. 

In Idaho and Montana, the Inland Empire Tree Improvement Cooperative has had an ongoing breeding program since 1978. Approximately 1,000 phenotypicaUy-selected parent trees are represented in open-pollinated progeny tests. A series of short-term nursery trials of additional phenotypic selections were established in 1992 (D. Lindgren, 1993). 

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