Question

What is heterosis?

Answer 1

Heterosis, also called hybrid vigour, is the increased superiority of a hybrid over its parents. When two homozygous inbred plants of different genetic constitutions are crossed, their hybrid offspring are more vigorous, productive, sturdier, and taller than either parent. This phenomenon is called heterosis. It is very useful in improving crop productivity and is widely exploited in many crops, including cereals, vegetables, oilseeds, sugar-yielding crops, and fruit trees.