Hybrid are generally superior to parents due to

Options

A. Heterosis
B. Homozygosity
C. Heterozygosity
D. Parents are generally weak.

Answer

**Step-by-Step Solution:**

1. **Understanding Hybrid Vigor**: Hybrids are often superior to their parent strains due to a phenomenon known as heterosis, or hybrid vigor. This refers to the increased biological performance of hybrids compared to their parents.

2. **Definition of Heterosis**: Heterosis occurs when the offspring (F1 generation) exhibit qualities that are greater than the average of the parents. This can include increased growth rate, yield, disease resistance, and overall vitality.

3. **Role of Homozygosity**: Inbreeding can lead to homozygosity, where individuals have two identical alleles for a trait. High levels of homozygosity can result in inbreeding depression, which decreases the fitness of the population. Hybrids often arise from crossing two homozygous parents, which can restore vigor.

4. **Crossing F1 Hybrids**: The superiority of hybrids is often achieved through the crossing of F1 hybrids with one another. This process can enhance the heterozygosity of the offspring, leading to improved traits.

5. **Application in Self-Pollinating Plants**: Heterosis is particularly applicable in self-pollinating plants, where the crossing of different strains can produce hybrids that outperform their parents.

6. **Conclusion**: The correct answer to the question is that hybrids are generally superior to their parents due to heterosis, which is a result of high homozygosity in the parent plants and the crossing of F1 hybrids.

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