Question

Why inbreeding depression is high in cross pollinated crops?

Answer 1

Several plant species, E. g alfalfa (M. sativa) carrot (D. carota) , hayfield, tarweed etc show very high inbreeding depression. A large proportion of plants produced by selfing shows lethal characteristics and do not survive. The loss in vigour and fertility is so great that very few lines can be maintained after 3 to 4 generation of inbreeding. The line shows greatly reduced yields, generally less than 25 percent of the yield of open – pollinated varieties.