Selection, Introduction and Maintenance of New Cultivars

The selection of potential new cultivars is usually the most time-consuming aspect of a breeding project. Only when a limited number of new genotypes can be produced, as with some difficult wide crosses or mutation treatments, does selection play a minor role. As a rule the larger the number of new individuals produced, or families in the case of seed propagated plants, the greater will be the chance of selecting promising new cultivars. Especially large numbers of new individuals have to be raised for species which have already received much attention from breeders if there is to be a reasonable chance of producing a superior new cultivar. Because of the time required for selection, and the land area needed to raise the volume of material, most amateurs are usually at a disadvantage compared to professional breeders working with such crops as Brussels sprouts, potatoes and strawberries. However, there is considerable scope for amateur breeders with ornamentals and some of the lesser known fruits and vegetables.