Artificial Hybridization Plants: Procedures, Steps and FAQ

Definition Of Artificial Hybridization

Artificial hybridization is a controlled method of cross-pollinating plants to bring together desirable characters from two diverse parent plants, hence enabling the production of hybrids with specific characteristics.

In essence, this is how plant breeding originated: the development of new varieties of plants with increased yields, resistance to diseases, and adaptability to the environment. It is associated with the selection of parent plants and arranging an artificial transfer of pollen from the anther of one plant to the stigma of another, ensuring proper fertilization and seed development. This deliberate attempt thus enhances the genetic diversity enhancing the breeding efficiency of crops.

What Is Artificial Hybridization?

Artificial hybridization is thus one cross-pollination technique of plants performed artificially to combine desirable characters from two different parent plants.

It is human-induced, transferring pollen from one plant to another, ensuring the seeds formed will be hybrid.

Purpose And Significance In Agriculture

The main objective of artificial hybridization is to derive plants with better characteristics like increased yield, resistance to some diseases, or even better adaptation to some environmental conditions. This is key in farming for developing new strains in crops to suit needs and challenges.

Historical Background And Development

Artificial hybridization has been in practice for several hundred years, with early examples dating back to ancient civilizations. Systematic development and scientific understanding of the hybridization process developed far more during the 19th and 20th centuries, especially with the work of Gregor Mendel and the subsequent rise of modern genetics.

Key Techniques In Artificial Hybridization

The artificial hybridization process involves several stages.

Overview Of The Process

The stages include selection of parent plants with desired characteristics, emasculation of the flowers to prevent self-pollination, bagging the flowers for controlled pollination, artificial transfer of pollen, and, lastly, observation of the development of the hybrid seed.

Importance Of Precision And Timing

Artificial hybridization Is very exact and timed to the point of the effectiveness of pollen transfer or fertilization. Every procedure itself entails the most critical stage of flower development, starting from the emasculation stage up to pollination, for it to have the best opportunity to form hybrid seeds.

Emasculation

Emasculation involves the removal of a male reproductive organ, anther, from a flower.

This is carried out to avoid self-pollination so that the only probable pollination would come from the chosen donor pollen.

Purpose Of Emasculation In Hybridization

The main purpose of emasculation in hybridization is to ensure the entire breeding process is controlled and finally end up with hybrid seeds carrying combined characteristics of the two plants and not just self-fertilizing to give out seeds carrying only the maternal characters

Selection of parent plants

Healthy plants having desirable features are selected as male and female parents.

Timing and stage of flower development

Emasculation should be conducted at the correct timing when there is sufficient maturity of the flower to be pollinated but before the dehiscence of anthers.

Tools and materials needed

The apparatus used for emasculation is fine forceps, scissors, and a magnifying glass. The anther must be removed without damaging other parts of the flower.

Techniques Of Emasculation

The techniques of emasculation are:

Hand emasculation

Emasculation can be performed manually or with auxiliary tools to decrease time consumption

Mechanical emasculation

Anther removal using machines. It is only possible in this way in large-scale operations.

Chemical emasculation

Chemicals that destroy anthers are applied selectively. It is useful for this purpose in particular species of plants.

Advantages And Disadvantages Of Each Technique

Hand emasculation is the most accurate technique but a little bit time-consuming. Mechanical emasculation is very efficient in large-scale operations but lacks precision. Chemical emasculation may prove effective but often has side effects on the plant.

Bagging

Bagging is the protection of the emasculated flower from unwanted pollen contamination to ensure that it is pollinated only with desired pollen for controlled pollination.

Purpose Of Bagging In Hybridization

It is the requirement for the safety of the hybridization process from foreign pollen and to ensure only the desired pollen that fertilizes the flower.

Detailed Procedure

Selection of parent plants

Take the same plants selected for emasculation.

Timing and stage of flower development

The emasculated flowers are bagged immediately to prevent any exogenous pollen from reaching the stigma.

Tools and materials needed

The bags may be paper, polyethene plastic, or mesh, with ties or clips to fasten them onto the flower.

Techniques Of Bagging

The details are given below:

Types of bags used (e.g., paper, plastic, mesh)

The type of bags used will depend on the needs of the plant and the environment.

Method of bagging flowers

Carefully place the bag over the flower and fasten it without causing damage to the plant.

Advantages And Disadvantages Of Each Technique

Paper bags: breathability, biodegradable, but less durable. Plastic bags: durable, though sometimes overheating takes place. Mesh bags: good airing, though small particles shall be able to enter.

Pollination Process

The Pollination process is given below:

Manual Pollination After Emasculation And Bagging

The emasculated and bagged flowers are pollinated by manual transfer of pollen from the donor plant to the stigma of the emasculated flower using a brush or some other fine tool.

Collection And Transfer Of Pollen

The collection of pollen from the donor plant should be done only when the pollen is mature, which can be transferred to the emasculated flower for fertilization.

Ensuring Successful Fertilization

Monitor the flowers after they have been pollinated, which will let one make sure that fertilization takes place. Observe the seed development in the flowers.

Post-Pollination Care

The details are given below:

Monitoring The Development Of Hybrid Seeds

After successful pollination, frequently observe the appearance of seeds on the hybridized plants. Make sure those growths are under optimal conditions.

Protecting The Hybridized Plants From Environmental Factors

Make sure that the developing hybrid plants are protected from hostile environmental factors, pests, and diseases. This will be done by making sure the hybrid seeds grow to maturity successfully.

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