Genetic conservation and the breeding of field vegetables for the United Kingdom *

Abstract

International collaboration and effort are necessary for all genetic conservation, particularly in crops which are individually less important economically than some high value crops such as wheat. Plant breeders need readily available sources of genetic variability in both inbreeding and outbreeding vegetables. Genetic erosion is more serious in outbreeders than in inbreeders, particularly in crops of Brassica oleracea, where hybrid varieties are fast replacing open-pollinated types.