Those who have been growing vegetables and fruits for more than one year know the important differences between a pure variety and a hybrid. The most important thing is taste. So, a pure variety wins unconditionally on this point. The breeders did their best and bred a great variety of hybrids, trying to improve the aroma and taste with each new product. But still, many farmers are not only returning to organic matter, but also moving from hybrids to pure varieties.
What are the advantages of pure varieties over hybrids, we will try to explain in this article.
What is variety and hybrid
Variety Is a definition for a selectively selected group of plants. All these plants have their own characteristic features, although outwardly they are very similar to each other. Seeds of varietal crops retain all these characteristics, even if planted from year to year.
Hybrid - This is the result of crossing several of the best varieties in order to improve the external, taste and other characteristics. The seeds of hybrids are no longer able to reproduce plants of decent quality.
When buying seeds from a store, pay attention to the F1 marking. This inscription denotes a hybrid.
Variety or hybrid: which is better?
Pluses of hybrids
Equally ideal appearance of fruits (shape and size of all fruits are usually approximately the same).
Productivity is at a high level.
Differs in resistance to diseases and pests.
Self-pollination of plants.
Cons of hybrids
A plant will be able to show all its advantages only when all favorable conditions are created for it:
- The presence of fertile soil.
- Compliance with the temperature regime during growing, sudden temperature changes have a negative effect.
- Weeds should be completely free.
- Strict adherence to the watering regime (the plant will not survive drought, but excessive moisture can harm).
- Timely and numerous feeding.
The hybrid may not withstand the slightest climatic changes or natural anomalies. He is absolutely not adapted to changes in the environment.
Pros of pure varieties
Minimal dependence on agricultural technology.
They will easily survive untimely watering and feeding.
They contain a large amount of useful substances, because varietal plants are closer to nature. They are natural in their biochemical composition. (Compare wild strawberries with summer strawberries, and strawberries from your garden with imported berries).
Varietal plants contain much more vitamins and other useful components.
The flavoring qualities of the varieties are significantly superior to the hybrids.
Varietal crops, when propagated by seeds, retain their best qualities for several generations.
The varieties are absolutely unpretentious, depend little on the place of cultivation, care and maintenance.
Varietal plants will be able to adapt to natural and weather changes, temperature extremes and various climatic surprises and anomalies.
Fruit varietal crops are a storehouse of biologically active components and a high level of substances useful for humans.
Cons of pure varieties
Compared to hybrids, some varieties are bee-pollinated.For example, without exception, all varieties of cucumbers, which gives summer residents and gardeners certain inconveniences. At the same time, cucumbers can still have a bitter taste, and the number of fruits is often small (which cannot be said about hybrids).
One of the biggest and most significant drawbacks is the difficulty of collecting quality seeds from cross-pollinated crops. If in the garden or dacha beds with carrots, pumpkin or any cruciferous crops grow in close proximity to each other, then they pollinate each other. This means that their best qualities are diminished or completely lost. But on a small plot of land it is difficult to isolate plants at a "safe" distance.
Each gardener can only decide for himself what to choose - hybrids or varieties.
Some annually purchase seeds and various mineral supplements in specialized stores, and consider it a very convenient and low-cost (in time) process. Others enjoy spending a lot of time in their beds. They are engaged in organic farming, use only natural fertilizers, and introduce mulching. They carefully select the best and highest quality seeds for future planting. Most likely, hybrids are grown by those who do it commercially. Gardeners who want to eat real vegetables and fruits, make tasty preparations for the whole family, it is imperative, sooner or later, to return to varietal crops.
As an experiment, plant several varieties of tomatoes to begin with. Grown varietal fruits will remind you of the taste of childhood, the taste of tomatoes from your grandmother's garden.
