What is bagging technique? How is it useful in a plant breeding programme?

Explanation

During artificial hybridization, emasculated flowers are covered with a bag of suitable size, generally made up of butter paper. This step is called bagging. It is to prévent contarnination of its stigma with unwanted pollen. When stigma of bagged flower attains receptivity, mature pollen grains are collected from anther of male parent and are dusted on stigma. Now the flowers are rebagged and fruits are allowed to develop. Advantages of bagging technique :
(i) It is useful for cross breeding
(ii) Commercially superior varieties are obtained.