Selection procedures
Breeding is a process of selection and multiplication.
Seedling stage:
Botanical seed is sown in pans or nurseries and transplanted to pots (diameter 10 cm) or nursery beds. In some cases the botanical seed is sown directly in the open field. At maturity one tuber per plant is kept for planting in the first clonal year. Only for a few characteristics is selection in the seedling stage possible.
Clonal stages:
The seedling stage is followed by a number of clonal stages during which selection and multiplication takes place .
Clonal stages
In the first clonal year there is only one plant per genotype.There is a great variation in the seed (seed size and seed age) planted. During the first clonal years, selection is on performance, maturity, yield estimates, etc.
VARIATION CLONAL STAGE
For the next clonal years there are more plants of each genotype and selection becomes more accurate due to the increase in the number of plants per genotype .
Special tests and selection methods:
Special tests are developed to determine special variety characteristics. These include tests to determine resistances, culinary qualities dormancy,etc.
SELECTION AND SPECIAL TESTS
Results:
In the example given 40 000 seedlings result in selection of 2 promising genotypes after 8 years. Before new promising variety can be introduced there is an urgent need to test the variety at farm level and to determine the market value.
VARIETY INTRODUCTION