Pedigree breeding

• Pedigree breeding starts with the crossing of two genotypes, each of

which have one or more desirable characters lacked by the other.
• If the two original parents do not provide all of the desired characters,
a third parent can be included by crossing it to one of the hybrid
progeny of the first generation (F1).
• In the pedigree method superior types are selected in successive
generations, and a record is maintained of parent–progeny
relationships.
Maintenance of pedigree record
• The pedigree record may be kept in several different ways, but it
should be simple and accurate. Generally, each cross is given a
number; the first two digits of this number refer to the year in which
the cross was made, and the remaining digits denote the serial
number of the cross in that year. For example, the number 7911
denotes the cross number 11 of year 1979. In the segregating
generations, one of the following two systems of designation may be
followed.
• Designation Based on the Location of Progeny Rows in the Field
• Designation Based on Serial Numbers of Selected Plants
Designation Based on the Location of
Progeny Rows in the Field
• Individual plant progenies in each generation are assigned row numbers
corresponding to their location in the plot.
• In addition, each progeny in F4 and the subsequent generations is assigned the
row number of the progeny in the previous generation from which it was
derived.
• Thus each F3 progeny, derived from individual F2 plants, is given a number
corresponding to the row number at which it is located in the F3 plot. Plants
selected from an F3 progeny are identified by the row number of that progeny.
• When individual plant progenies are grown in F4, each progeny is also given
the row number of the F4 plot at which it is located in addition to the F3 row
number.
• Similarly, the plants selected from a progeny in F4 are given the row
number of that progeny in the F4 plot. After the F5 progenies are
planted, the row numbers of progenies in the F5 plot are added to the
F4 row numbers. The same procedure is followed in the subsequent
generations.
• Thus each progeny can be traced back to the F3 progeny (or the F2
plant) from which it originated. But for determining the pedigree of a
progeny, the breeder has to consult the records of the previous years
as well.
The system of designating individual plant progenies based on
progeny row numbers of the concerned and the previous
generations
Generation Progeny number Description
F2 7911-43 Progeny 11 No. 43 (Individual plant of whole F2
population of cross 11 made in the year 1979

F3 7911-7 Progeny in the 7th row in the F3 plot.

F4 7911-7-4 Progeny in the 4th row in the F4 plot, selected
from the progeny in the 7th row of the F3 plot.

F5 7911-4-14 Progeny in the 14th row in the F5 plot, selected

from the progeny in the 4th row in the F4 plot.

F6 7911-14-3 Progeny in the 3rd row in the F6 plot, selected

from the
Progeny in the 14th row in the F5 plot.
Designation Based on Serial Numbers of
Selected Plants
• In each generation, the selected plants are assigned serial numbers
within individual progenies; each progeny or selected plant bears the
serial numbers of all the plants in the previous generations related to
it by direct descent.
• Thus each selected plant F2 is given a serial number; the F3 progenies
derived from these plants are given the serial numbers of their parent
F2 plants.
• The plants selected from a progeny in F3 are given the number of that
progeny; in addition, each selected plant from that progeny is also
given a serial number
The system of designating individual plant progenies based
on the serial numbers assigned to the selected plants
Genera Progeny Description
tion number

F3 7911-7 Progeny obtained from plant number 7 selected in F2

F4 7911-7-4 Progeny from plant number 4, selected from

the F3 progeny derived from the plant number 7
selected in F2
F5 7911-7-4-2 Progeny form plant number 2, selected from
the F4 progeny derived from plant number 4 selected
from the F3 progeny obtained from the plant number 7
selected in F2

F6 7911-7-4- Progeny from plant number 8, selected from

2-8 the F3 progeny derived from the plant number 2
selected form the F4 progeny of the plant number 4
selected from F3 progeny of the plant number 7 selected
in F2.
• In the pedigree record, a brief note is made about the distinguishing
features of each progeny. In keeping a pedigree record, the following
should be kept in mind.
• Only important characteristics should be recorded. If a large number of
characters are noted, the record keeping would become a great burden.
• Only promising progenies should be included in the record. Post progenies
may be simply marked ‘discard’. This would give more time for studying
promising progenies.
• The pedigree record must be accurate. Keeping no record is better than
keeping an inaccurate record, which will only create confusion.
Advantage
• The pedigree record is often useful in the elimination of some
progenies.
• In late generations, e.g. F5, F6 etc., if some lines originated from the
same F4 or F5 progeny and are similar, only one of these lines need be
maintained.
• Further, it may often be possible to obtain a general idea about the
inheritance of characters by studying the pedigree record