Importance of artificial breeding

  1. Development of high yielding varieties: High yielding varieties of various crops are developed through artificial breeding.

(i) High yielding rice: Iri-8 rice was developed in the Philippines by crossing Peta rice from Indonesia and Dee-gee-woo-gen rice from Taiwan. The yield of Iri-8 rice is 90-100 maunds per acre. The yield of Iri-5 rice is 70-75 maunds per acre. High yielding Eri rice is Eri-20, Eri-28, Eri-29 etc.

Ericile rice was developed by artificial breeding between Peta rice from Indonesia, TKM-6 rice from India and Tichu-1 rice. The yield of this rice is 70-75 maunds per acre. Erishail rice is widely cultivated at the farmer level.

Bangladesh Rice Research Center developed Birishail rice by crossbreeding BR-20 and BR-3. The four Ufshi varieties of rice developed by the Bangladesh Rice Research Center are Chandina (BR-1), Mala (BR-2), Shahi Balam (BR-15) and Shrabani (BR-26).

(ii) High yielding wheat: Bangladesh Agricultural Research Institute (BRRI) has developed 17 varieties of wheat through hybridization. High yielding wheat varieties are – Balaka, Akbar, Kanchan, Barkat and Saugat. Besides, BR-27 and BR-28 wheat are more improved.

(iii) High Yielding Bhutra: In 1908 American scientist G.H. Shull invented hybrid varieties of Bhutra. High yielding varieties of Bhutra are – Bari Bhutra-6, Bari Bhutra-7, Bari Bhutra-8, Bari Bhutra-9, Bari Bhutra-10 and Bari Bhutra-11.

(R) Fruits: Fruits produced by artificial hybridization are – mango, litchi, guava, dragon fruit, watermelon, apple, grape, elder etc.

(a) Orchids and Flowers: Most of the flowers currently cultivated in Bangladesh have been created through artificial hybridization. Some of the revolutionary flowers are – rose hybrid-tea, floribunda, marigold, gladiolus, marigold etc.

(R) Vegetables: Vegetables created through artificial hybridization are – sweet pumpkin, gourd, tomato, shrimp, cauliflower, cabbage, cabbage etc.

  1. Development of disease-resistant varieties: Disease-resistant varieties are developed by breeding wild disease-resistant crops with arable disease-causing crops. E.g. Mukta (BR-11), Gazi (BR-14), Mohini (BR-15) etc. disease resistant varieties of rice.
  2. Development of adverse tolerant varieties: Through artificial breeding, varieties of plants are created which can grow in adverse environment. All these varieties can tolerate drought, flood, salinity, waterlogging etc.
  3. Production of seedless fruits: Seedless fruits are produced by artificial breeding. For example, oranges.
  4. Creation of Beautiful Orchids: Various types of beautiful orchids have been created at present.
  5. Shortening of cultivation period: It has been possible to shorten the cultivation period of crops by 20-30 days through artificial hybridization. In this, crops can be harvested before the onset of natural calamities.
  6. Improving the quality of crops: The quality of crops can be improved through artificial breeding. This process can change the attractive color, grain size, aroma etc. of the grain. Bangladesh Institute of Nuclear Agriculture (BINA) developed Hypro-chickpea using dye beam. This chickpea is rich in protein.
  7. Production of hybrid fruits and vegetables: Fruits like mango, watermelon, plum and gourd, sweet pumpkin, tomato, shrimp, cabbage etc. have been produced through hybridization.
  8. More adaptability: Plants created through artificial breeding have more adaptability. So can withstand environmental stress. Can survive in any environment.
  9. Simultaneous maturity: Crops that mature at the same time are developed through artificial breeding. It saves effort and money in harvesting.
  10. Changes in the nature of seed shedding: Seeds of many crops are shed in the field. This reduces crop yield and farmers suffer. Artificial insemination involves changing the seeding behavior of crops.
  11. Plant evolution: Gene mutation, chromosomal mutation, genetic recombination etc. are done in plants through artificial breeding. It creates new species. As a result, evolution occurs in plants. Triticel was developed by hybridizing wheat and rye. It gives good yield in short winter and severe winter.

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