Hybrids: More Than Just Cars

Walking down the produce section of the grocery store, you’ve probably at some point come across some unusual options (Pluots, anyone?) Although hybrid fruits tend to conjure up the image of fruits produced in a science laboratory, these fruits are actually more natural than you may realize.

Contrary to popular belief, hybrids are not produced using genetically modified organism technology. Hybrids actually use traditional pollination that can ordinarily occur in nature, but by controlling it, cultivars can breed new generations of plants which have increasingly desirable characteristics. Once a variety is produced which meets satisfactory requirements, hybridization is able to produce the exact variety which would randomly occur in nature, but in a shorter period of time.

The benefit to farmers is that hybridization yields plants that are naturally disease resistant and better at withstanding heat, cold, and drought. They also produce consistent and higher yields. The benefit to consumers is uniform fruit sizes and shapes, increased juiciness, improved taste, and better nutrition. So, the next time you see stroll by the fruit section and spot a tangor (mandarin and orange), tayberry (red raspberry and blackberry), limequat (key lime and kumquat), or carambola (star fruit), give it a try to experience the best of both (fruit) worlds!