Question

Describe the objectives of plant breeding.

Answer 1

The various objectives of plant breeding are listed below:
1. High yield : It is the primary concern of the plant breeder to produce a crop variety having increased productivity per acre. It is achieved by developing and selecting more efficient genotype.
2. Improved quality : In addition to quantity, it is necessary for the breeder to consider the quality of the Plant produce. For example, sweet, juicy and seedless oranges are preferred over a large number of sour, pithy ones.
3. Biotic and abiotic resistance : Under natural conditions the crop plants are prone to certain biotic (diseases caused by bacteria, fungi, nematodes, etc. or damage caused by insects) and abiotic (drought, salinity, water lodging, heat, cold and frost) stresses which cause a great loss of production.
4. Change in maturity duration : Production of a crop can be increased many times by reducing the time duration from sowing to harvesting. It saves time, labour, irrigation, fertilizers and money.
5. Wider adaptability : An ability to withstand the extremes of moisture, drought, temperature and other conditions, by the cultivated plants, is another desirable trait by the breeders.
6. Development of novel varieties : Developing a new variety with increased food production is not enough. The breeder is always on the look out for novel varieties which attract the consumer. Seedless tomatoes, oranges, lemons, stoneless lums and peaches are some of the products of breeder's honest efforts which have captured the market.