From corn to potatoes

KWS is working to harness the benefits of hybrid varieties in additional crops

Hybrid breeding helps develop particularly high-yielding and robust varieties. “Hybrids make it possible to combine desired traits like yield and resistance in the best possible way in the offspring. This allows us to develop varieties that are optimally adapted to environmental conditions,” explains Heiko Kraus, Head of Global Product Development at KWS.

Hybrid varieties have therefore long been established in many cross-pollinated crops including corn and sugarbeet. However, in self-pollinating crops such as wheat, they present our breeders with particular challenges.

First market-ready hybrid varieties, for example in barley, show that the potential is enormous – looking ahead, also for additional crops like potatoes. Heiko Kraus: “Hybrid breeding accelerates breeding progress and enables us to respond more effectively to challenges such as climate change or the spread of plant diseases.”

Heiko Kraus, Head of Global Product Development

Good to know

What is hybrid breeding?
Hybrid breeding is based on crossing homozygous parent lines. This results in the so-called heterosis effect in the first generation: Desired traits, such as high yield and good disease resistance, are preserved in the offspring – the hybrids. That´s why hybrids are often particularly high-performing and resilient.

What are the benefits of hybrid breeding?
Hybrid breeding significantly speeds up the plant breeding process. This method allows for a more targeted combination of desired traits, enabling the faster development of new varieties.

Why is hybrid breeding important for agriculture?
The effects of climate change, as well as limited arable land and other resources, require varieties that are better adapted to changing environmental conditions. Hybrid breeding is therefore an important tool that can help promote sustainability in agriculture.