Abstract

                                When an improved variety of an agricultural crop is released for general distribution among cultivators by the Agricultural Departmant. sooner or later a report generally follows that the improved variety has deteriorated or degenerated. Farmers, dealers and commercial seed growers complain that the acre-yield of the improved variety has gradually decreased or that the variety has deteriorated in quality, a few years after its introduction. As the cultivator's return ultimately depends upon the quantity and the quality of the crop he grows, it is of paramount importance to consider the various causes that may lend to the degeneration of an improved variety and to find out such measures as can be practised by the cultivator and the plant breeder to reduce it.

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