"Plant Breeding Demystified: Flowcharts, Cycles, and Diagrams"

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🌱 1. Flowchart of a Plant Breeding Programme

Use: To show the overall workflow from objective setting to variety release.

Define Objectives
      ↓
Parent Selection
      ↓
Crossing / Hybridization
      ↓
F1 Generation Development
      ↓
Segregating Generations (F2, F3, F4...)
      ↓
Selection & Evaluation
      ↓
Advanced Lines Testing
      ↓
Multilocation Trials
      ↓
Quality & Resistance Screening
      ↓
Variety Release

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🌾 2. Pedigree Selection Method Diagram

Use: To track the lineage and selection in successive generations.

P1 × P2
   ↓
   F1 → Selfing
     ↓
   F2 → Selection
     ↓
   F3 → Row-wise selection
     ↓
   F4 → Family selection
     ↓
   F5/F6 → Advanced lines

Each generation is grown in rows, and selected plants are carried forward, showing the family history.

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🌻 3. Bulk Method Representation

Use: To illustrate how the bulk method relies on natural selection in early generations.

P1 × P2
   ↓
   F1 → Bulk harvest
     ↓
   F2 → Bulk sowing & harvesting
     ↓
   F3 → Repeat bulk harvest
     ↓
   F5 → Begin selection
     ↓
   F6/F7 → Pure lines developed

Selection is delayed until later generations.

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🌽 4. Backcross Method Flowchart

Use: For transferring specific traits (e.g., disease resistance) into elite cultivars.

Recurrent Parent (RP) × Donor Parent (DP)
                 ↓
               F1 (RP + Trait from DP)
                 ↓
               BC1 (F1 × RP)
                 ↓
               BC2 (BC1 × RP)
                 ↓
               BC3 (BC2 × RP)
                 ↓
       Selection for Target Trait

After enough backcrosses, progeny are genetically similar to RP but with the desired trait from DP.

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🌾 5. Germplasm Management Cycle

Use: For visualizing the flow of germplasm in breeding programmes.

Collection
   ↓
Conservation
   ↓
Characterization & Evaluation
   ↓
Utilization in Breeding
   ↓
Improved Lines
   ↓
Documentation & Distribution

Often shown as a cyclic diagram.

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🌾 6. Multilocation Testing Layout

Use: To represent how a breeding line is tested across multiple environments.

            ┌────────────┐
            │  Location A│
            └────┬───────┘
                 │
        ┌────────┴────────┐
        ↓                 ↓
  Location B        Location C
        ↓                 ↓
  Data Collection & GxE Analysis

This can be expanded into a network map if more locations are involved.

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🌿 7. Selection Funnel Diagram

Use: To represent the narrowing down of lines during breeding.

          Wide Genetic Base
        (Thousands of Genotypes)
                  ↓
            Early-Gen Selection
                  ↓
         Intermediate Evaluation
                  ↓
        Advanced Line Testing
                  ↓
            Elite Varieties

A funnel shape is used to show how diversity narrows as selection progresses.

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🧬 8. Hybrid Seed Production Cycle (for CMS-based systems)

Use: To illustrate the relationships among A, B, and R lines.

    CMS Line (A) ← Maintainer Line (B)
         ↓
       Hybrid Seed
         ↑
    Restorer Line (R)

A × R → Hybrid Seed

A × B → Maintains CMS line