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Hybrid technology, harnessing the advantage of heterosis between two diverse genotypes to achieve maximum hybrid vigour, is widely recognized and commercially used for crop variety improvement both in field and vegetable crops. Hybrids can be developed using appropriate technology, irrespective of the mating and pollination system in the plant species. Production of hybrid seed depends on plant, pollinator and environmental factors, which influence it individually or in interactive ways. Hence, an understanding of these components is important to undertake hybrid seed production of a given crop species. The basic requirements for hybrid seed production at a commercial scale are (a) a unisexual flower or a bisexual flower with sterile pollen in anther or self-incompatible flower/plant; or pistillateness; or large conspicuous bisexual flowers for easy emasculation of flowers in plants to be used as the female parent and (b) abundant pollen production, dispersal and its easy transfer from the male parent to the female parent for satisfactory seed setting. These are dependent on floral biology, flower features, mode of pollination and reproduction of the crop species. Agronomic crop management with scientific insights is equally important for successful hybrid seed production. These are discussed in this chapter with appropriate examples. |
