Plant breeding: Genetic diversity threatened

Genetic Methods in Plant Breeding

Definition of plant breeding, Sources of genetic variability Significance of genetic variability. Selection methods (SM). Factors affecting (SM). Heterosis & examples Hybridization crossing methods –inbreeding/ outcrossing. Convergent breeding, Divergent breeding. Evaluation of inbred lines by: Single crosses; 3-way crosses, Performing top crosses, Diallel analysis. Combining ability. General &...

Threatened badgers' breeding secrets

Mammals, like other animals, use a range of tactics to maximise breeding success but there is often a sexual conflict which mismatches the best strategies for males and females. How these conflicts pan out represent a rich field of research for workers looking at evolutionary issues. In a new study, biologists from the University of Oxford explore the evidence that a rare tactic is used by fema...

Conservation of Plant Genetic Diversity

Putting Plant Genetic Diversity and Variability at Work for Breeding: Hybrid Rice Suitability in West Africa

Rice is a staple food in West Africa, where its demand keeps increasing due to population growth. Hence, there is an urgent need to identify high yielding rice cultivars that fulfill this demand locally. Rice hybrids are already known to significantly increase productivity. This study evaluated the potential of Asian hybrids with good adaptability to irrigated and rainfed lowland rice areas in ...

Opium Poppy: Genetic Upgradation Through Intervention of Plant Breeding Techniques