Advantage of making hybrids into apomictic:

Apomixis is a type of asexual reproduction in plants where seeds are produced without the involvement of fertilization. If hybrids are made into apomictic, it can have several advantages, including:

1. Segregation of characters in the hybrid progeny:
When hybrids are made into apomictic, the characters or traits of the parent plants are maintained in the hybrid progeny. This is advantageous because it allows the desired traits to be preserved and passed on to subsequent generations without any alteration or segregation. This is particularly useful in cases where the hybrid has desirable traits such as high yield, disease resistance, or specific agronomic characteristics. By eliminating the segregation of characters, the offspring will consistently inherit the desired traits of the hybrid parent.

2. Farmers can keep using the hybrid seeds to raise new crops for many years:
Hybrid plants are known for their hybrid vigor, which is the increased performance or superiority of the hybrid compared to its parents. However, hybrid vigor is lost in subsequent generations due to genetic segregation and recombination. By making hybrids apomictic, the hybrid vigor can be maintained in perpetuity. This means that farmers can continue to use the hybrid seeds to raise new crops for many years without any loss of vigor. This saves farmers the cost and effort of purchasing new hybrid seeds each planting season.

3. Increased efficiency and stability in crop production:
Apomictic hybrids offer increased efficiency and stability in crop production. As the desired traits are consistently passed on to the offspring without any alteration or segregation, farmers can rely on the uniformity of the crop. This allows for better planning, management, and predictability in agricultural practices. Moreover, the stability of the hybrid characteristics ensures consistent yield and quality, which is beneficial for both farmers and consumers.

In conclusion, making hybrids into apomictic has the advantage of maintaining the segregation of characters in the hybrid progeny and allowing farmers to keep using the hybrid seeds to raise new crops for many years. This offers increased efficiency, stability, and uniformity in crop production, ultimately benefiting both farmers and consumers.

Apomictic seeds are those which are formed without undergoing the process of sexual reproduction.