Plant breeding methods by which new and better varieties of plants can be formed

Options

A. hybridisation
B. selection
C. testing
D. hybridisation followed by selection

Answer

### Step-by-Step Solution:

1. **Understanding Plant Breeding**: Plant breeding is a scientific method used to develop new plant varieties with desirable traits. It involves manipulating the genetic makeup of plants to enhance certain characteristics such as yield, disease resistance, or drought tolerance.

2. **Identifying Methods**: The question provides four options regarding methods of plant breeding:
- A) Hybridization
- B) Selection
- C) Testing
- D) Hybridization followed by selection

3. **Analyzing Each Option**:
- **Hybridization**: This method involves crossing two different plants to produce offspring with traits from both parents. However, hybridization alone may not guarantee the desired traits.
- **Selection**: This method involves choosing plants with desirable traits to use as parents for the next generation. While selection is important, it may not be sufficient on its own to create new varieties.
- **Testing**: This is not a breeding method but rather a process to evaluate the performance of plants. It does not directly contribute to the creation of new varieties.
- **Hybridization followed by Selection**: This method combines the strengths of both hybridization and selection. After hybridizing plants to create new offspring, selection is used to choose the best individuals that exhibit the desired traits.

4. **Conclusion**: The most effective method for developing new and better varieties of plants is hybridization followed by selection. This approach allows for the combination of desirable traits from both parent plants and ensures that only the best offspring are selected for further breeding.

5. **Final Answer**: The correct answer is **D) Hybridization followed by selection**.