What is bagging technique? How is it useful in a plant breeding programme?
Bagging technique is employed in artificial hybridisation programmes.
Bagging is a technique of covering the female reproductive parts of flowers to prevent stigma from the contamination with undesired pollen. This is useful in artificial hybridisation when desired pollen grains are required for breeding the plants.
Following steps are carried out
(i) Anthers are removed with forceps, from the flower bud before dehiscence (in case of bisexual flower). This step is also termed as emasculation.
(ii) The flower is then covered with a bag of suitable size.
(iii) Mature pollen from desired male plant is dusted on the receptive stigma.
(iv) Flowers are re-bagged again and fruits are allowed to develop.