Question

From the following options, identify the reason why the hybrid seeds have to be prepared every year

• A. Seed industry tends to increase the cost of seeds every year
• B. Hybrid plants turn sterile in the coming years
• C. Seeds show more heterosis in the coming year
• D. Hybrid vigour may not be maintained in more than one generation

Answer 1

The correct option is D Hybrid vigour may not be maintained in more than one generation

Hybrid seeds are produced by cross-pollination. They contain the selected superior traits of both the parents. The offspring would have a combination of both the parent’s character i.e. hybrid character and they show extensive growth and productivity. But one of the problems of hybrids is that hybrid seeds have to be produced every year because during gamete formation one gamete receives only half of the trait since the traits get segregated, the hybrid character may disappear and hence hybrid vigour will not be maintained.

Seed industries are trying to make hybrids into apomicts, so there will no longer be any segregation of character in the hybrid progeny. Cost inflation is subject to other factors as well and cannot be sole reason for preparing hybrid seeds every year.

Hybrid shows less heterosis in the coming year due to segregation while forming gametes.