Genetic Mechanisms for Hybrid Breeding in Vegetable Crops

• Published in: Plants (Basel) Vol. 12; no. 12; p. 2294
• Main Authors: Singh, Hira, Sekhon, Bhallan Singh, Kumar, Pradeep, Dhall, Rajinder Kumar, Devi, Ruma, Dhillon, Tarsem Singh, Sharma, Suman, Khar, Anil, Yadav, Ramesh Kumar, Tomar, Bhoopal Singh, Ntanasi, Theodora, Sabatino, Leo, Ntatsi, Georgia
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Switzerland MDPI AG 01-06-2023; MDPI
• Subjects: biofortification; Biotechnology; Carrots; Climate change; Crops; Exploitation; Genes; Genetic aspects; Genomics; gynoecism; Hybridization; Hybrids; Incompatibility; Male sterility; Methods; Physiological aspects; Plant breeding; Plant reproduction; Pollen; pollen biology; Production costs; Productivity; Review; Seed industry; Seeds; Self-incompatibility; Streamlining; Vegetables; Weeds; World population; Belgium; India; biofortification; male sterility; self-incompatibility; hybrids; vegetables; gynoecism; pollen biology
• ISSN: 2223-7747; 2223-7747
• DOI: 10.3390/plants12122294

To address the complex challenges faced by our planet such as rapidly changing climate patterns, food and nutritional insecurities, and the escalating world population, the development of hybrid vegetable crops is imperative. Vegetable hybrids could effectively mitigate the above-mentioned fundamental challenges in numerous countries. Utilizing genetic mechanisms to create hybrids not only reduces costs but also holds significant practical implications, particularly in streamlining hybrid seed production. These mechanisms encompass self-incompatibility (SI), male sterility, and gynoecism. The present comprehensive review is primarily focused on the elucidation of fundamental processes associated with floral characteristics, the genetic regulation of floral traits, pollen biology, and development. Specific attention is given to the mechanisms for masculinizing and feminizing cucurbits to facilitate hybrid seed production as well as the hybridization approaches used in the biofortification of vegetable crops. Furthermore, this review provides valuable insights into recent biotechnological advancements and their future utilization for developing the genetic systems of major vegetable crops.