33.

With advancements in genetics, molecular biology and tissue culture, new traits have been incorporated into crop plants. Explain the main steps in breeding a new genetic variety of a crop. 

Plant breeding and improvement of crops is well supported by the governments and private companies. The major steps involved in the process are –
1. Collection of variability
2. Evaluation and selection of parents
3. Cross hybridisation among the selected parents
4. Selection and testing of superior recombinants
5. Testing, release and commercialisation of new cultivars

1. Collection of variability -Genetic variability is the primary requirement of breeding program, the wild character of plants is collected, preserved and characteristics for exploring natural genes called as germplasm collection.

2. Evaluation and selection of parents -The collected germplasm is then screened for the desirable character, followed by their multiplication and preparing for hybridization to obtain pure line.

3. Cross hybridisation among the selected parents
- Different characters are combined with two different parents e.g high quality protein gene is combined with disease resistant gene and developed a new cross hybrid.
4. Selection and testing of superior recombinants -The best combination is selected among the progeny; selection should be done very crucially with help of scientific community. The plant obtained in this step is superior to both parental plants. The plants are self-pollinated to obtain uniform generation, where character remains intact in the progeny.
5. Testing, release and commercialisation of new cultivars - Newly selected plant are evaluated (disease resistance, quality) by growing in research field and recognize management, irrigation requirement, followed by cultivation of the crop for 3 seasons under different climate. Then the plant is evaluated with present crop and defined useful or not.