Plant-breeding methods

Techniques of plant breeding vary according to the particirlar crop. The production of a new variety is a slow, painstaking and costly operation involving a time scale 

The technique for the production of hybrids usually involves the production of self fertilised inbred Unes which are subsequently crossed to form the FI hybrid, which exhibits improved characteristics. A major disadvantage of the use of hybrids is that farmers are precluded from saving their own seed and have to purchase a fresh supply each year. 

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. 

There are also mechanical techniques for introducing DNA containing specific genes into plant cells. One of them concerns the use of DNA bullets whereby metal particles (tungsten or gold) combined with DNAfragments are mechanically propelled into host cells where the donor DNA combines with that of the host plant. 

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Wehner, T. C., and C. Barrett. 2005. Cucurbit Breeding Horticultural Science History of Plant Breeding Plant Breeding Methods. North Carolina State University. Designed by C. T. Glenn, http //cuke.hort.ncsu.edu/cucurbit/wehner/741/hs741hist.html (accessed August 24, 2006). 

To exploit additional market opportunities or to improve oil characteristics, traditional plant breeding methods have been used to create oils with modified fatty acid profiles. 

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