What are the Hidden Benefits of Plant Breeding Trials?

People who have passion towards plant breeding are always on continuous look out for techniques that will aid them to improve their skill set and yield. They consult professional breeders for expert advice on what to grow, how to grow and when to grow and where to grow. Most of the time professional breeders suggest them for plant trials; a technique in which eager plant breeders can try to grow newer varieties which is altogether a nice experience for them. This looks interesting as the new ones get a different ambiance which is a full-fledged nursery environment. The tricky part is observing closely how the breed adapts to this new environment, soil etc and grows to its fullest with constant attention from a plant breeder. So the breeder gets a new variety of sapling in his kitty. If the breed is more efficient and yield wise beneficial, the breeder can even patent his findings and indulge in plant licensing. Apart from these benefits, this technique has some hidden benefits some of which goes like this:

Understanding the soil fertility

Every variety is unique in itself with varied features and requirements. Each variety requires nice fertile soil, adequate water supply and nominal sunlight to grow as expected. If the soil has lost its fertility, the breeding yield reduces. Hence a trial is important to evaluate the soil fertility and then go for major breeding.

New breeding techniques

Plant breeding is an art of its own. How many times a gardener tries to grow something new and novel, he is in for an experiment. While plant trial is conducted, the breeder gets to learn new breeding techniques related to soil tempering, fertilizers, pest protection etc that improves his knowledge.

Analyze growing requirements of the new breed

The new breed which is an outcome of the plant trial can vary in size, shape or even the variety depending upon the growing environment. This helps the breeder to analyze the growing requirement of the new plant under trial and understand its nature in detail. Once he or she come to know about all in detail then they can nurture it properly.

A horticulture specialist grows into an expert with experience of plant breeding. The more number of trials they conduct in gardens, nursery, university and commercial places give them a great understanding of soil, water, climatic condition and most importantly the new breed itself.