Pedigree breeding starts with the crossing of two
genotypes, each of which may have one or more desir
able characteristics that is lacking in the other or which
complement the other. If the two original parents do
not provide all of the desired characteristics, other sources can be included in the breeding population. In
the pedigree method, superior plants are selfed and
selected in successive generations. In the succeeding
generations the heterozygous condition gives way to
homogeneous lines as a result of self-pollination and
selection. Typically in the pedigree method of breeding
?ve or more generations of sel?ng and selection is prac
ticed. F1—>F2; F2—>F3; F3—>F4; F4—>F5, etc.