Q.The quickest method of plant breeding is

Step 1. Selection requires several years of repeated evaluation of a mixed population (e.g. mass selection takes about five to six years) before a variety can be released.

Step 2. Hybridisation requires selecting parents, emasculation, bagging, crossing, and then multiple generations of evaluation before a stable hybrid variety is ready.

Step 3. Mutation breeding requires inducing mutations and then screening large populations to find and stabilise a useful mutant. …

Compare the typical time each conventional method takes to …

• Assuming hybridisation is fastest because it 'combines the best traits' directly — it actually needs several breeding generations. …