Competition Hybridization

Competition hybridization is a form of artificial selection in which plants are crossed with wild varieties to produce offspring with desirable traits. By combining the desirable traits from two different species, competition hybridization can yield hardy varieties that are more resistant to disease, pests, and environmental extremes. In agriculture, competition hybridization is a key tool for creating superior crops that are also more cost effective to cultivate. Additionally, competition hybridization can be used to help restore populations of threatened and endangered species by selectively breeding for desirable traits that can increase species survivability.