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Criteria for selecting germplasm

Improved cultivars (and even landraces) are often associated with low genetic diversity, especially in the self-pollinated species.  

However, increasing diversity by introgression from wild relatives can be complicated by the existence of crossing barriers or poor hybrid fertility. Sometimes, these can be overcome by the use of techniques such as embryo rescue, etc.

Criteria for selecting parents for a MAB project may include the need for a particular trait that appears in an accession, or just a general need for more diversity.