Hybrid Fruits & Vegetables

Many fruits and vegetables have hybrid varieties for improved production.

Hybrid vegetables and fruits result from the deliberate cross of two purebred lines. They are essentially the opposite of open-pollinated, standard or heirloom varieties. Many fruits and vegetables such as boysenberries, corn, tomatoes and watermelon have hybrid varieties.

Hybrid Benefits

Compared to open-pollinated varieties, hybrid fruits and vegetables often have a more uniform size and shape. They produce earlier with heavy yields. Hybrids have increased disease resistance and vigor with better germination rates.

Hybrid Seed Production

The cross of two genetically different pure lines or parents produce a hybrid plant. The hybrid plants produce hybrid seeds. The plants are often cross-pollinated by hand to maintain genetic purity. Hybrid seeds have the label of F-1 (short for first filial).

Hybrid Problems

The cross of two hybrids does not produce true-to-type plants. Saving the seeds from the plants they produce is not recommended because they yield many different plant types. Hybrid vegetable and fruit crops have less genetic diversity than open-pollinated varieties.

References

• Colorado State University Extension: Fruits and Vegetables: Saving Seed
• Aggie Horticulture: Hybrid Varieties and Saving Seed
• University of Illinois Extension: Heirloom Seeds
• Iowa State University Extension: Let's Talk About Hybrids and Standards