Hybrid breeding

Overview

In short

In hybrid breeding, two genetically different parent lines are produced.

Advantages

The offspring (hybrids) are bigger, more fruitful and more resilient than their parental lines (hybrid vigor).

Disadvantages

The heterosis effect is maintained for only one generation.

Development

1920s in the USA

Application at KWS

Breeding of corn, sugarbeets, rapeseed, rye and sunflowers.

To breed hybrid seeds, two homozygotic, but as genetically different as possible, parental lines are crossed with each other. Because of the heterosis effect, the resulting heterozygous offspring (“hybrids”) are much more productive than both parents, so higher yields result.

The hybrid vigor makes plants bigger, more fruitful and more resilient than their parental lines. However, it is maintained only for one generation. Hybrid breeding is used worldwide for many crops.

In the case of corn or sugarbeets, many countries almost exclusively grow hybrid varieties. At the same time, hybrid breeding is very complex. Self-fertilization, for instance, must often be prevented. In addition, two parent lines must be bred per hybrid.

An overview of our breeding methods

Cross & selection

Parental plants bearing the desired characteristics are crossed with each other. The seed of the largest and most productive plants are sown again.

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Line breeding

Here researchers cross two parent lines whose desired properties complement each other as much as possible. The best plants are selected and crossed again.

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Hybrid breeding

In hybrid breeding, two genetically different parent lines are produced.

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Cell and tissue culture

Complete cells are regenerated from the individual cells of a plant using nutrient media in the laboratory.

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Molecular Markers

With the help of molecular markers, plant characteristics are analyzed.

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Phenotyping

Here, the characteristics of a developed parent, line or hybrid are evaluated in the field. Modern technology for automated analysis is used.

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Genetic Engineering

Here, individual genes or gene segments on DNA are deliberately inserted into the genome of a crop.

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Genetic research

Here, the holistic structure and biological functions of the plant genome are explored.

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Genome Editing

The term “genome editing” includes a number of different methods. With the help of these methods, individual components of DNA can be targeted and precisely changed.

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