Basic Knowledge In Agriculture #29
Hello Steemains, it is a pleasure to be part of this contest; breeding deals with the development of new species of plants and animals, helping them to have certain qualities like adaptation to weather conditions, resistance to diseases, and increased production.
What do you understand by Breeding
Breeding is one of the agricultural activities which helps to keep the continuity of different species from generation to generation. Breeding in agriculture can be seen as a process of crossing plants or animals to produce offspring with desired traits. This act of breeding usually involves the manipulating of genetic material in other to enhance qualities like disease resistance, yield, or specific characteristics in crops or livestock.
Breeding in plants is to ensure that new varieties of plants with improved traits, making these plants have qualities that are suitable for farmers and consumers. Planting breeding involves the selecting of plants that possess desirable qualities and crossing them to combine those traits in the forthcoming generation. The breeding of plants has played a vital role in food production, leading to massive production of crops in large quantities and improved crop quality. In agriculture, there is also the breeding of animals; this is done to enhance the genetic makeup of domestic animal populations, contributing to enhanced health, production, and welfare.
Discuss on the Breeding Types
Breeding is classified into two main categories,s, which are inbreeding and outbreeding. Inbreeding is a type of breeding that has to do with the mating of closely related species that belong to the same breed. Inbreeding is further divided into two sub-groups, which are line breeding and cross inbreeding. Line breeding is the mating process of distantly related individuals who are in the same line, whereas cross-inbreeding has to do with the mating of closely related individuals, who are often parents, offspring, or siblings.
Outbreeding is a different form of breeding entirely or is seen as the opposite of inbreeding which involves the mating of unrelated individuals, which can be in the same breed or among a different breed. Out breeding is also divided into two which are crossbreeding and interspecific hybridization. Crossbreeding is a form of mating that has to do with mating individuals from different breeds. Interspecific hybridization deals with mating individuals who belong to different groups but among the same species.
Benefits of Breeding
Breeding offers numerous benefits to both crops and plants, it helps plants to increase the method of growth and makes them adapt to certain weather conditions.
Adaptation: Breeding can help plants to easily adapt to weather conditions like drought, flood, and heat. This makes breeding essential in the aspect of climate change and can sustain the crops in different regions.
Improved traits and yield: breeding helps to increase desirable traits like higher yields of crops, improved milk production, and quality meat production by livestock, which then contribute to efficient agricultural practices and massive production.
Pest and disease resistance: breeding can develop varieties of plants and animals that have a strong immune systems that is resistant to diseases and pests, minimizing the need for chemical treatment. This has a lot of benefits to both consumers and farmers by decreasing the risk of crop loss and promoting food security.
What are the Applications of Breeding
Breeding programs select traits like dwarfism, early maturity, and disease resistance to enhance crop production. Breeding can also improve a plant's ability to survive in different environments and climates, establishing its cultivation area. Breeding aims to improve characteristics like sweetness, shelf life, and nutritional value in food crops.
Developing resistant varieties reduces reliance on pesticides and ensures stable food supplies. Breeding for drought, heat, and salt tolerance expands cultivation to challenging areas. Breeding can upgrade flower shapes, colors, and other aesthetic qualities to boost sales and market appeal. Breeding programs select animals with higher milk yields, faster growth rates, and better meat quality. Selective breeding aims to enhance the health and lifespan of livestock. Breeding can improve feed efficiency and reduce methane emissions, contributing to more sustainable farming practices.
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