Hybrid breeding
Since the middle of the 50s KWS has been breeding maize and sugar beet varieties using breeding methods developed in the USA in 1918.
The heterosis technique is employed: the combination of unrelated pure-bred lines leads to increased performance in the offspring.
By producing pure-bred lines and then crossing them breeders seek to breed varieties that possess as many of the desired traits as possible required for sowing in the prevailing conditions.
Since the 60s sugar beet has been the focus for intense hybrid breeding.
