How Plants Are Trained to Work for Man Plant Breeding

9780898754742

0898754747

With both animals and plants the general process of creating new forms must of necessity pass through four stages: Unconscious selection with more or less isolation of domesticated forms. Conscious selection of desirable individuals. By this means, those most available for man's purposes were preserved, and their traits, differing in different regions, became distinctive breed characters. Conscious selection toward definite ends. In this way are formed superior strains within the various species of animals or plants. Crossing between varieties, races, or species to increase range of divergence, to add or combine desirable traits, or to eliminate others that may be objectionable.