Corn Breeding: Types of Cultivars Glossary

allele

one of two or more alternative forms of the same gene

diploid

an organism with two copies of each gene

double-cross hybrid

the type of hybrid that is produced when two different single-cross hybrids are cross-pollinated

gene

a unit of molecular information that controls cellular development and/or activity and is passed (inherited) from parent to offspring.

haploid

an organism with a single copy of each gene

heterozygous

the descriptive term for a single-locus genotype of a diploid in which the two alleles are different

homozygous

the descriptive term for a single-locus genotype of a diploid in which the two alleles are the same

hybrid vigor

the phenomenon of a hybrid plant having greater vigor than its parents

inbred

a pure-breeding strain of corn

locus

the specific site of a gene on a chromosome

population

a group of plants that are mating with each other and as a consequence have certain common characteristics

single-cross hybrid

the type of hybrid that is produced when two different inbreds are cross-pollinated