Question

Whatis bagging technique? How is it useful in a plant breeding programme?

Answer 1

Variousartificial hybridization techniques (under various crop improvementprogrammes) involve the removal of the anther from bisexual flowerswithout affecting the female reproductive part (pistil) through theprocess of emasculation. Then, these emasculated flowers are wrappedin bags to prevent pollination by unwanted pollen grains. Thisprocess is called bagging.

Thistechnique is an important part of the plant breeding programme as itensures that pollen grains of only desirable plants are used forfertilization of the stigma to develop the desired plant variety.