Abstract

The breeding procedures that may be used with a particular crop species are determined by its mode of
reproduction. This relationship will become clearer as the breeding methods used with the various crop
species are studied in more detail. It may be illustrated here quite simply by comparing two common
crop plants, wheat and corn, which differ in their pollination method. In wheat, a self-pollinating crop,
pollen normally fertilizes the flower in which it is borne; no new genes are introduced during pollination
that may affect the purity of a variety. The seed of an improved variety of wheat may be harvested and
planted over and over again if, during its production, reasonable care is exercised in the maintenance of
varietal purity. Contrast this with corn, a cross-pollinated crop. In corn the pollen-bearing organ is borne
in the tassel and the seed-bearing organ is borne in the shoot. Pollen is transported through the air from
the tassel to the portion of the silk extending from the shoot before pollination and seed production are
consummated. The pollen may be carried by the wind for large distances, with seeds borne on a single
ear of corn arising by pollination with pollen grains originating from many different plants, so there is a
constant mixing of different genes for particular traits of the corn plant. This results in a different
reproductive system operating in a field of open-pollinated corn than in a field of self-pollinated wheat.

Keywords

Pollen Tube Crop Plant Sexual Reproduction Staminate Flower Pistillate Flower

These keywords were added by machine and not by the authors. This process is experimental and the
keywords may be updated as the learning algorithm improves.

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© Springer Science+Business Media New York 1987

About this chapter

Cite this chapter as:

Poehlman J.M. (1987) Reproduction in Crop Plants. In: Breeding Field Crops. Springer, Dordrecht

DOI

https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-015-7271-2_2

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