What does outbreeding mean?
Outbreeding is the practice of breeding animals or plants from different genetic lines or populations to increase genetic diversity and improve the quality of offspring. This strategy is often used in conservation and agriculture to improve the genetic diversity of populations. Outbreeding can also be used to create new breeds or strains of animals or plants with desirable traits. The process involves selecting individuals with desirable traits and breeding them with individuals from different genetic lines or populations. This can lead to the creation of offspring with improved genetic diversity and quality. Outbreeding is an important tool for improving the genetic diversity of populations and creating new breeds or strains of animals or plants with desirable traits.
nounThe practice of breeding animals or plants from different genetic lines or populations to increase genetic diversity and improve the quality of offspring.
- The practice of breeding animals or plants from different genetic lines or populations to increase genetic diversity and improve the quality of offspring.
"The conservation program implemented an outbreeding strategy to increase the genetic diversity of the endangered species."
"The conservation program implemented an outbreeding strategy to increase the genetic diversity of the endangered species."
"The breeder used outbreeding to create a new strain of cattle with improved milk production."
The plural form 'outbreedings' is used to describe multiple instances of outbreeding.
"The conservation program implemented multiple outbreedings to increase the genetic diversity of the endangered species."
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Etymology of outbreeding
The word 'outbreeding' comes from the Old English words 'out' and 'breeding', meaning 'outside' and 'breeding' respectively. The term was first used in the 17th century to describe the practice of breeding animals or plants from different genetic lines or populations.
Usage notes
Outbreeding is often used in conservation and agriculture to improve the genetic diversity of populations. It can also be used to create new breeds or strains of animals or plants with desirable traits.