This document discusses breeding crops for morpho-physiological traits. It begins by defining morphological and physiological characters, then explains why breeding for these traits is important for improving crop survival and performance. The key breeding strategies and procedures are outlined in five steps: 1) identifying traits and selecting parents, 2) mating parents, 3) evaluating offspring, 4) selecting parents for the next generation, and 5) monitoring and improving the breeding program. The goal is to gradually enhance desired traits over successive generations through careful planning, selection, and refinement of the breeding process.

1. Breeding For
Morpho-Physiological
Traits
.

2. Content
• Introduction to Morpho-Physiological Traits
• Why breed for Morpho-Physiological Traits?
• Breeding Strategies
• Breeding Procedure
• Conclusion

3. Introduction
Morphological Characters
• Physical attributes of an organism
(crops).
• Includes characteristics such as
the shape and size of body parts,
presence or absence of specific
structures, and overall body
proportions.
• Examples: Leaf Size, leaf
orientation, height, wax
deposition, spikes, etc.

4. Introduction
Physiological Characters.
• Refers to the internal processes
and functions that allow plants to
grow, develop, and respond to
their environment.
• Involves biochemical and
physiological mechanisms that
enable the organism to perform
essential functions.
• Examples; Photosynthesis,
Transpiration, Respiration,
Nutrient take-up, hormone
regulation, Stress tolerance
mechanisms, etc.

5. Why breed for Morpho-
Physiological Traits?

6. Why?
• Ability of crops to survive and
thrive in different conditions
depends on the morpho-
physiological traits.
• Morphology Influences Physiology.
Examples:
• Drought Tolerant: Small and
narrow leaves, more erect, more
photosynthesis(high chlorophyll
content) and low disease severity.
• Canopy Temperature Deficient
(CTD), declines and oxidative
stress normalized.

7. Breeding Strategies
Morpho-

8. Breeding Procedure
Step 1: Identification of Traits and Selection of Parent.
Step 2: Mating of Parents with desirable traits.
Step 3: Evaluation of offspring’s for genetic gain.
Step 4: Selection and its procedure.
Step 5: Monitoring and Improvement.

9. Breeding Procedure
Step 1: Identification of Traits and
Selection of Parent.
• Identify the specific traits to be
improved.
• Can be any traits like disease
resistance, shape, sizes, etc.
• Selection of suitable parent
possessing such traits from
available sources.
• Traits: High Heritability.

10. Breeding Procedure
Step 2: Mating of Parents with
desirable traits.
• To ensure that their genetic
material is combined.
• Achieved through various breeding
techniques such as natural or
controlled pollination in plants.
• May be inbreeding or outbreeding.
Why?
• To facilitate the transfer of the
desired traits from the parents to
the offspring.

11. Breeding Procedure
Step 3: Evaluation of offspring’s for
genetic gain.
• For the presence of the desired
morpho-physiological traits.
• Involve visual inspections,
measurements, laboratory tests,
or other evaluation methods,
depending on the traits being
targeted.
• Evaluation of offspring in control
as well as modified (stressed)
environment.

12. Breeding Procedure
Step 4: Selection and its procedure.
• Selection of the individuals that
exhibit the desired traits to
become the parents of the next
generation.
• Selection Procedure: Based on the
population structure (Self,
Crossed).
• Pure line selection, Backcross
method, recurrent selection, etc.

13. Breeding Procedure
Step 4: Repeated Selection.
• Repetition of the breeding
process, starting from step 2,
using the selected individuals
from the previous generation as
the new parents.
• Allows for the continuous
improvement and accumulation of
the desired traits over successive
generations.

14. Breeding Procedure
Step 5: Monitoring and
Improvement.
• Necessary to address any
potential setbacks or challenges.
• Involve adjusting breeding
strategies, incorporating new
genetic material, or adapting the
program based on feedback and
performance data.
• Information helps refine the
breeding program by identifying
the most successful breeding pairs
and guiding future selection
decisions.

15. Conclusion
• Breeding for morpho-physiological
traits: careful planning, selection,
and monitoring to achieve the
desired outcomes.
• Gradually enhance and stabilize
the desired morpho-physiological
traits within a population.
• Takes several years or even
decades, depending on the
complexity of the traits and the
reproductive characteristics of the
crop being bred.

16. Thank You