KWS Group Breeding R&D Methods Cross-breeding and selection

Cross-breeding and selection

Specific determination of a plant’s genetic make-up by crossing selected parent plants and subsequent selection of the offspring was first practised approx. 150 years ago.

The genetic traits of the parent plants can be reshuffled by sexually cross-breeding selected plants.

A large number of new genotypes emerge from which the most suitable are selected in a further process.

Each crop species requires a different technological method of cross-breeding.