MV is an initialism used in agronomy to describe a crop strain bred intentionally for specific traits like high yield, disease resistance, or uniform harvest time. It contrasts directly with heirloom or landrace seeds that farmers have saved over generations. Seed companies and agricultural economists track the adoption of these bred genetics to measure agricultural advancement in developing regions.
We need to push the new MV maize to the trial plots before the wet season hits.
Farmers often have to purchase MV seeds every season to maintain the desired traits, especially if the seeds are hybrids.
Do not mix it up with
- Heirloom: Heirlooms are traditional seeds saved over generations, whereas an MV is created through formal scientific breeding.
Related terms
Heirloom
An older, open-pollinated plant variety preserved by growers rather than commercial breeding programs.
Cultigen
A plant species or variety that exists solely because of human selection and breeding.
Seed
Any plant part intended for sowing and propagation, including true botanical seeds, tubers, or bulbs.