Hybrid Seeds

Definition of Hybrid Seeds

The varying seed types and definitions are confusing to many. One of the most commonly asked questions is: What is the definition of hybrid seeds? Simply put, it is a seed or plant that is a cross between two or more unrelated inbred plants. The two different varieties are crossbred, resulting in a seed that carries one or more favorable traits.

Hybrid seeds are commonplace in commercial farming, especially to increase crop yields. Home gardeners thoroughly enjoy the wide varieties offered by Hybrid roses. But, at the same time, home gardeners often shun hybrid seeds.

Hybrid seeds are created by the natural cross-breeding of varieties. It IS NOT genetically engineered seeds. See GMO Seeds.

Creating hybrids is very popular for flowers and vegetables. Most notably, Roses, Tomatoes, and Sweet Corn are frequently cross-bred to create hybrid varieties.

An F1 hybrid, is a seed from the first cross of two unrelated, open-pollinated plants.

Advantages of Hybrid Seeds and Plants

There are many advantages to creating hybrid varieties.

The most common advantages are:

More vigorous plants
Improved disease resistance
Earlier maturities
more uniform plant growth
increased crop yields
New flower colors
Improved taste of fruits and vegetables

Popular Hybrids

Here are some of the more popular hybrids:

Roses – thee are too many hybrid roses to single out a particular variety.

Corn – Silver Queen, is a white kernel of sweet corn. This Hybrid is one of the most popular home garden sweet corns. Double Sweet, Kandy King, Kandy Korn, and many other “Extra” sweet varieties are hybrids.

Tomatoes – There is a wide range of hybrid tomato varieties. Among them is Celebration, Beef Maestro, and Container’s Choice Red.