When we self pollinate that F1 generation plant we will get seeds that make plants that are all different from each other (F2 generation), which is where this gets fun! We will grow 20-30 plants from this F2 generation that will all be different from each other, then we will compare the plants and fruits and select our favorites based on what traits we want our new variety to have. We are choosing not to use hybrids, so all of the seeds that result from the first crosses that we make this year will all be the same (called the F1 generation).
However, some varieties are hybrids (Aa) that are the result of crosses from two different varieties, and when you self-pollinate these you get seeds that make plants that are all different from each other.
Most vegetables have been bred to be homozygous (like AA or aa instead of Aa… remember Mendel’s Punnett squares from Bio?) so that when you save seed from the plant after self pollination, all the seeds make the same kind of plant with same kind of fruit (same shape, size, color, and taste).
The process begins with crossing two different varieties of a vegetable. This past year (2014) we are started the process of making some of our very own varieties of tomatoes and winter squash! Twitter Facebook Pinterest Email Breeding Veggies – Making Our Own Varieties on the Farm : Ryan Thummel
