Is anyone working on convincing beans not to self pollinate so easily? For our purposes that would be a good thing, but for those trying to preserve an heirloom variety, not so much.
I have an idea for a process, but I’d like to hear what other people think in general.
Is it worth it? Would there be any benefits, other than inbreeding and making breeding in general easier?
In my experience, some beans are willing to accept foreign pollen more easily (partially self infertile? Release pollen later?) While others only spread their pollen from open flowers and don’t set crossed seeds as easily.
If I can get a group of natural crosses, I start with a group that will cross and automatically eliminate those that won’t. If I can’t get a group like that I can create it but it’s going to be more complicated and time consuming.
Once I have a population consisting only of possible outcrossers, I think I can eventually get to a population that consistently crosses. Then I can let the plants do the work.