In maize, hybrid vigour is exploited by:-
- Crossing of two inbred parental lines
- Bombarding the seeds with DNA
- Harvesting seeds from the most productive plants
- Inducing mutations
Answer
(1) Crossing of two inbred parental lines
Solution
Hybrid vigour (heterosis) is the superiority of the F1 hybrid over both its parents in yield, size and vigour.
In maize, pure (inbred) lines are first developed by repeated self-pollination for several generations, and two such inbred parental lines are then crossed; the F1 hybrid shows maximum heterosis and gives high yield.
Because heterosis is lost in later generations, fresh hybrid seed is produced every season by crossing the inbred lines again.
∴ Hybrid vigour in maize is exploited by crossing two inbred parental lines.
Answer: (1)