Importance

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Abstract

The process of the present invention provides a convenient route for producing a predetermined hybrid variety of a crop which is capable of undergoing both self-pollination and cross-pollination. Cytoplasmic male sterile plants which also exhibit herbicide tolerance attributable solely to nuclear genes are the key plants for use in the present process. Economical bulk planting of the key plants with either maintainer or restorer plants is made possible. Following cross-pollination from a pollen source which lacks the herbicide tolerance unneeded plants effectively are eliminated by use of a herbicide. For instance, unwanted plants may be effectively eliminated immediately after pollination or prior to pollination in the succeeding generation (provided the requisite genes for herbicide tolerance are present therein) to make possible the existence in an unharmed state of a substantially homogeneous stand of the desired plants. In a preferred embodiment cytoplasmic male sterile plants, plants resulting from the self-pollination of a maintainer, and restorer plants are planted in a substantially random population prior to the application of two different herbicides (as defined) at the appropriate times. The process of the present invention is applicable to grain crops, forage crops, seed-propagated fruits, seed-propagated ornamentals, and industrial species. In a particularly preferred embodiment a predetermined variety of Brassica napus (i.e., rape or improved forms thereof known as canola) is formed which is the product of cross-pollination.

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First Claim