What is hybrid vigor?

Hybrid vigor, also known as heterosis, refers to the phenomenon where hybrid offspring exhibit improved or superior biological fitness compared to their parents. This can manifest in various ways, such as increased growth rates, higher fertility, better resistance to diseases, and enhanced survivability in different environments. The underlying cause of hybrid vigor is often the mixing of genetic diversity from two distinct parental lines, leading to a more robust genotype that can better cope with environmental pressures.

In many agricultural practices and breeding programs, hybridization is deliberately used to enhance specific desirable traits in organisms, taking advantage of this concept for better yield and health. When hybrids display increased biological fitness, they often outperform purebred individuals, making hybrid vigor a crucial concept in both natural selection and selective breeding.