What is bagging technique? How is it useful in plant breeding programmes?
Bagging technique: It is a technique used during artificial hybridisation of plant breeding to ensure cross-pollination. For this removal of anthers from the flower bud before the anther dehisces using a pair of forceps is necessary. This step is referred to as emasculation. Emasculated flowers have to be covered with a bag of suitable size, generally made up of butter paper, to prevent contamination of its stigma with unwanted pollen. This process is called bagging. When the stigma of bagged flower attains receptivity, mature pollen grains collected from anthers of the male parent are dusted on the stigma, and the flowers are rebagged, and the fruits are allowed to develop. If the female parent produces unisexual flowers, there is no need for emasculation. The female flower buds are bagged before the flowers open. When the stigma becomes receptive, pollination is carried out using the desired pollen and the flower rebagged. Advantages of bagging technique: It is necessary for cross-breeding for the crop improvement programme. Commercially superior varieties can be obtained.
