Q.What are the different types of hybridization?

Step 1. Intravarietal hybridisation crosses plants of the same variety, and is useful mainly in self-pollinated crops.

Step 2. Intervarietal (intraspecific) hybridisation crosses two different varieties of the same species, and has been the basis for improving both self- and cross-pollinated crops.

Step 3. Interspecific (intrageneric) hybridisation crosses different species belonging to the same genus, commonly used to transfer disease, insect, pest or drought resistance — as in the Gossypium hirsutum x Gossypium arboreum cross that produced Deviraj. …

• Confusing 'intervarietal' with 'interspecific' — the former stays within one species, the latter crosses different species. …