Why is there a need for plant breeding?

One reason is genetic diversity Some plants better adapt to certain evolving challenges, improving their probability of survival. Access to key characteristics through the preservation of genetic diversity leads to a wider array of plant innovations.
Finding the one characteristic that can offer farmers an advantage is incredibly difficult and time-consuming.
Through generations of research and discovery, plant breeding has gone beyond selecting a parent plant simply based on its physical appearance and now includes an understanding of the genetic make up of aplant. This allows plant breeders to better predict which plants will have a higher probably of success.
These innovations have opened the door to new opportunities. Understanding the genetic markers in a plant’s DNA helps us know which plants carry traits that will help them
combat environmental challenges like disease or drought. It can also help us select plants that taste better,or offer more nutritional value.
Our plant breeding innovations and technologies are helping farmers do what they’ve done for thousands of years. We continually strive to be even better, helping them ensure that their harvest makes it from their field to your family’s table.How does it work?
The simplest definition of plant breeding is crossing two plants to produce offspring that, ideally,shares the best traits of the two parent plants. Through out the history of civilization, plant breeding innovations have helped farmers solve problems. Even the earliest farmers understood that in order to survive,they needed plant varieties specifically adapted to their conditions.
Almost everything we have ever eaten has evolved and changed through generations of breeding.
– monsanto.com