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ARS Home » Southeast Area » Poplarville, Mississippi » Southern Horticultural Research Unit » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #218825
Title: Breeding Horticultural Plants

Author
item Rinehart, Timothy - Tim
item Reed, Sandra

Submitted to: CRC Press
Publication Type: Book / Chapter
Publication Acceptance Date: 1/23/2008
Publication Date: 5/1/2008
Citation: Rinehart, T.A., Reed, S.M. 2008. Breeding Horticultural Plants. In: Beyl, C.A., Trigiano, R.N. editors. Plant Propagation Concepts and Laboratory Exercises. Boca Raton, LA: CRC Press LLC., Taylor and Francis Group. p. 391-400.

Interpretive Summary: Plant breeding involves selection of plants with combinations of improved traits that are inherited in a predictable manner. Collecting, understanding, and incorporating genetic variation into a horticultural breeding program are critical to success. Clearly defined goals help plant breeders choose an appropriate plant breeding strategy to avoid problems such as inbreeding depression. Forced hybridization between species or genera often requires laboratory methods such as embryo rescue to assist the growth of hybrid progeny. Manipulating chromosome numbers is an effective strategy to change plant morphology and/or overcome fertility barriers. Mutation breeding and biotechnology can be used to breed new cultivars from clonal material without sexual reproduction.

Technical Abstract: Plant breeding involves selection of plants with combinations of improved traits that are inherited in a predictable manner. Collecting, understanding, and incorporating genetic variation into a horticultural breeding program are critical to success. Clearly defined goals help plant breeders choose an appropriate plant breeding strategy to avoid problems such as inbreeding depression. Forced hybridization between species or genera often requires laboratory methods such as embryo rescue to assist the growth of hybrid progeny. Manipulating chromosome numbers is an effective strategy to change plant morphology and/or overcome fertility barriers. Mutation breeding and biotechnology can be used to breed new cultivars from clonal material without sexual reproduction.