Hey, I've been using my own seed for several years now and have found myself with a handful of auto/photo crosses from a stunted batch of autos..
If I intended to move some of these towards autos, does anyone know if my male selection(s) have to be direct siblings, or will a father of another fast line pass recessives equally as a direct sibling would? (All moms were pollinated with the same photo father)
Thanks
When it comes to breeding autos or photo period plants, the male selection plays a significant role in determining whether your offspring will show more of an autoflowering or photoperiod trait. In your case, you're working with a batch of auto/photo crosses, and you're considering using a male from a different fast line (not necessarily a direct sibling).
Here’s the breakdown:
Male Selection: The male doesn't have to be a direct sibling to the female plants. However, the more closely related the male is to the females (i.e., direct siblings or related within the same line), the higher the chances of the offspring retaining the desired traits. That being said, a male from another fast line will still pass on recessive traits that could influence the offspring, but it may result in a wider genetic pool, which could also bring in variability.
Recessive Traits: Autos are typically a recessive trait, meaning they will only express if the plant carries two copies of the autoflowering gene (one from each parent). Even if the male is from a different line, it could still pass on the autoflowering gene if it carries it. However, if you use a male that has a different genetic background, you may see more variability in the offspring’s flowering behavior, with some plants possibly showing a stronger photoperiod trait or longer flowering times.
Breeding Autos: To increase the chances of having autoflowering offspring, you'll want to select a male that has a strong autoflowering genetic background. If the male from another fast line carries the auto gene (even if it's not a direct sibling), it can still pass it on. However, if you want to reduce variability and keep the autoflowering trait consistent, using a male that is closely related or from the same auto line could be a better option.
In summary, while the male doesn't need to be a direct sibling, using a male from a related line will likely increase the consistency of the autoflowering trait in your offspring. A male from another fast line can still work, but it may introduce more genetic diversity and variability.
