Corn is a commonly hybridized plant.
Plant hybridization has been occurring for millions of years, and is an important part of plant evolutionary biology. Hybridization occurs when the genetic information of two varieties or species becomes mixed, resulting in a third separate variety or species. Bees traditionally aid this process by pollinating different plants, but farmers and scientists also perform hybridization to create more desirable and hardier varieties of fruits, vegetable and grains.
Instructions
1. Gather the seeds of two vegetable varieties with desirable traits. This could include a tasty variety and a variety with a high yield. Or a variety that is disease resistant with a variety that has a strong root system. Make sure the two varieties are of the same species. For example use two varieties of the species corn, or two varieties of the species tomato.
2. Germinate the seeds in indoor pots or jiffy pots using a grown light. Plant about 10 to 20 plants of each variety. Label the pots "variety A" and "variety B" to keep the two varieties separate.
3. Plant the varieties in a greenhouse or closed environment apart from each other when they are large enough to be transferred. A closed environment protects the plants from accidental pollination by a third variety.
4. Care for the plants until they begin to pollinate. Depending on the vegetable species this could occur anytime between spring and early fall. Consult the seed packet to determine when the plants pollinate. Also consult information about the individual species to determine what part of the plant emits pollen. This is usually the plant's blossom.
5. Collect the pollen from variety A when the plant begins to pollinate. Cut about one-fourth of the buds or blossoms from the variety A plants, and gather them in a canvas bag. Be sure to collect partially opened buds with the stamens still attached. Do the same for the variety B plants using a separate bag. Label the bags and keep them in a dry place to prevent mold.
6. Spread the pollen from variety A over the variety B plants, making sure the pollen is sprinkled on the plant's blossoms. Also spread the pollen from variety B over the variety A plants. This is called cross-pollination, and effectively mixes the genetic information of the two plants resulting in hybrid fruits.
7. Allow the plants to grow until the vegetables begin to ripen. Pick the vegetables when they are ripe, and compare these hybrid vegetables with those of traditional A and B varieties. Some samples will have both the desired traits of their parent plants. Keep some seeds from the desirable samples to plant next season.
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