Which of the following step is the backbone of plant breeding programme ?

Options

A. Cross hybridisation
B. Germplasm collection
C. Selection of superior hybrids
D. Selection of parents

Answer

**Step-by-Step Solution:**

1. **Understanding Plant Breeding:** Plant breeding is a scientific approach to developing new plant varieties by combining desirable traits from different parent plants. It aims to enhance crop yield, disease resistance, and stress tolerance.

2. **Identifying Key Steps in Plant Breeding:** The plant breeding program typically involves several key steps:
- Germplasm collection: Gathering genetic material from various plant sources.
- Selection of parents: Choosing the best parent plants that have desirable traits.
- Cross hybridization: Crossing selected parent plants to produce hybrids.
- Selection of superior hybrids: Evaluating and selecting the best hybrids for further cultivation.

3. **Determining the Backbone of Plant Breeding:** Among these steps, cross hybridization is considered the backbone of the plant breeding program. This is because it is the process that directly leads to the creation of hybrid plants, which often exhibit superior traits compared to their parent plants.

4. **Significance of Cross Hybridization:** Cross hybridization results in hybrids that are usually more vigorous, faster-growing, and can exhibit enhanced traits such as disease resistance and higher yield. This is crucial for improving agricultural productivity, which was a significant factor in the Green Revolution.

5. **Conclusion:** Therefore, the step that is the backbone of the plant breeding program is **cross hybridization**.

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