Hybrids are widely used in agricultural production thanks to heterosis

A hybrid is the offspring produced by crossing parents with different genetic compositions; in agricultural production it usually refers to the first-generation seed obtained by crossing between varieties or between inbred lines, and it is also often called a hybrid first generation or F1 generation. The main reason it is so widely used is heterosis, meaning the offspring often outperform the average performance of both parents in growth vigor, adaptability and yield.

Compared with conventional varieties, hybrids grow uniformly and evenly, and their disease resistance and stress resistance are relatively stronger. They have already been applied on a large scale in corn, rice and many vegetable crops. It should be noted that heterosis is mainly expressed in the first generation; if you save your own seed and keep planting it, the traits of the offspring will segregate markedly, growth will be uneven, and yield and quality will decline accordingly, so in production, seed is generally purchased anew each year.

According to the different crossing combinations, hybrids can be divided into single-cross hybrids, three-way cross hybrids and double-cross hybrids, among which single-cross hybrids have a simple combination method and a high degree of population uniformity, making them the most widely used form at present. The practice of crossing is equally common in livestock and poultry breeding; for example, when introduced breeds are mated with local breeds, the offspring show advantages such as tolerance of coarse feed and fast growth, making this an important means of improving local populations.

It should also be explained that hybridization is a conventional means of sexual reproduction and breeding, and it is a different matter from transgenic technology; the two should not be confused. When buying hybrid seed, growers should purchase through proper channels, check the variety name, approval information and suitable planting area on the packaging, and choose a suitable combination according to local climate and cultivation conditions. Only in this way can heterosis be fully brought into play and better planting returns be obtained.