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Hayes and Garber - Cucurbit Breeding

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14 BREEDING CROP PLANTS<br />

who gives to hybridization the major role in the production of<br />

variations. Some serious criticisms have been made of this<br />

hypothesis as an explanation of evolution. With the higher<br />

plants, however, natural crossing has doubtless played an important<br />

evolutionary role. From the st<strong>and</strong>point of the plant<br />

breeder crossing is of much importance <strong>and</strong> it is the only generally<br />

known means of producing variations of selection value that is<br />

available as a practical method.<br />

In cross-fertilized species crosses<br />

naturally occur followed by segregation, <strong>and</strong> recombination<br />

follows. Selection isolates desirable genotypes.<br />

THE VALUE OF CROP IMPROVEMENT IN RELATION TO A MORE<br />

EFFICIENT AGRICULTURE<br />

Maximum yields of crops can be obtained only when all<br />

factors relating to the various phases of crop production are<br />

favorable. The physical <strong>and</strong> chemical characteristics of the soil,<br />

correct time <strong>and</strong> rates of planting, <strong>and</strong> crop rotation must be<br />

considered. Recent studies have shown that there are marked<br />

differences in the effect of different crops upon those that follow<br />

them in the rotation. Of utmost importance is the necessity<br />

that the crop be adapted to the soil <strong>and</strong> climatic conditions<br />

in which it is to be grown <strong>and</strong> that profitable returns be obtained<br />

on the basis of the cost of production.<br />

After careful consideration of those factors which go to make<br />

up the home of the plant we turn our attention to the seed. The<br />

fact that there are remarkable differences in final yields from<br />

different varieties of the same crop is commonly known. We are<br />

as yet only on the threshold of the possibilities of crop improvement.<br />

Careful methods of seed inspection, registration, <strong>and</strong><br />

treatment to control diseases are necessary to the greatest<br />

return from crop breeding. Education of the farmer will do<br />

much to overcome the evils of exploitation by the unscrupulous<br />

to sell <strong>and</strong> make<br />

seed dealer or promoter who is anxious only<br />

a profit on his seed.<br />

The business of growing carefully bred seeds is one that needs<br />

an appreciation of these <strong>and</strong> other factors in seed production.<br />

No great amount of special training is needed to carry on this<br />

work. To the careful worker who is willing to build up a reputation<br />

by actual merit of his seeds, the business of seed production<br />

will prove a lucrative one.

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