Breeding of Field and Horticultural Crops
Lecture notes covering Breeding of Field and Horticultural Crops. Course Code: GPBR 212 | Credits: 3(2+1).
Frequently Asked Questions
What is GPBR 212 in BSc Agriculture?
GPBR 212 focuses on breeding objectives, genetic resources, hybrid development, and variety improvement strategies across major field and horticultural crops.
Why do breeders study centres of origin and wild relatives?
They study centres of origin and wild relatives because these sources hold useful genetic diversity for traits such as stress tolerance, resistance, adaptability, and quality improvement.
What are breeding objectives in field and horticultural crops?
Breeding objectives are the target traits breeders want to improve, such as yield, stability, maturity, quality, pest and disease resistance, abiotic stress tolerance, and market suitability.
What is the ideotype concept in plant breeding?
The ideotype concept means designing or selecting a plant type with a set of desirable traits expected to perform efficiently in a specific production environment.
Why is hybrid seed production important in crop breeding?
Hybrid seed production is important because it allows the commercial use of heterosis, helping farmers access vigorous, high-performing hybrids in suitable crops.
What is the role of plant genetic resources in crop improvement?
Plant genetic resources provide the variation needed to broaden breeding populations, introduce new traits, and develop varieties that respond to future production and climate challenges.
Why are abiotic and biotic stress tolerance important breeding goals?
They are important because crops must perform under drought, heat, salinity, pests, and diseases, so breeding for resilience improves stability as well as yield.
Why does this course include both field and horticultural crops?
It includes both because breeding principles apply across crop groups, but the objectives, reproductive biology, quality traits, and management context differ by crop type.