Heterosis

Not to be confused with Heterozygosity, or with Heterotic string theory.
See also: Heterozygote advantage
"Heterotic" redirects here. For the musical group Heterotic, see Mike Paradinas.
Time course imaging of two maize inbreds and their F1 hybrid (middle) exhibiting heterosis.

Heterosis, hybrid vigor, or outbreeding enhancement is the improved or increased function of any biological quality in a hybrid offspring. An offspring is heterotic if its traits are enhanced as a result of mixing the genetic contributions of its parents. The heterotic offspring often has traits that are more than the simple addition of the parents' traits, and can be explained by Mendelian or non-Mendelian inheritance.[1] Typical heterotic/hybrid traits of interest in agriculture are higher yield, quicker maturity, stability, drought tolerance[2] etc.

  1. ^ Schnable, Patrick S.; Springer, Nathan M. (2013-04-29). "Progress Toward Understanding Heterosis in Crop Plants". Annual Review of Plant Biology. 64 (1): 71–88. doi:10.1146/annurev-arplant-042110-103827. ISSN 1543-5008. PMID 23394499.
  2. ^ "Drought-tolerant hybrid seed offers farmers reprieve from hunger". CIMMYT. 2019-03-06. Retrieved 2023-01-19.