Backcrossing

The varieties of plants that are reliable for transformation are not the ‘latest and greatest’ varieties that farmers want to grow in their fields.  In order to move the gene into these elite current varieties, breeders cross with the elite line over and over again.  This process is called backcrossing.  Learn more about this process in the videos below.

Backcross Breeding from Plant and Soil Sciences eLibrary on Vimeo.

Oomycete Backcross Breeding from Plant and Soil Sciences eLibrary on Vimeo.

Additionally, learn more about the time-frame of developing a new transgenic plant compared to more traditional breeding methods from this Genetic Engineering Vs. Traditional Breeding Timeline video from PASSeL on MediaHub.