nonhybridised

Nonhybridised is an adjective used in biology and genetics to describe organisms, lineages, or populations that have not undergone hybridization. Hybridization refers to mating between genetically distinct individuals or populations, resulting in offspring with mixed ancestry. A nonhybridised lineage thus retains a single, undifferentiated gene pool from a given species or subspecies, with little to no introgression from other lineages.

In plant breeding, nonhybridised or open-pollinated lines are contrasted with hybrid varieties. Hybrid varieties are produced by deliberate crosses to exploit heterosis; nonhybridised cultivars are typically produced by self-pollination or mating within a single line, yielding progeny that resemble the parent. Open-pollinated crops can maintain stable, nonhybridised genetics across generations, though cross-pollination with nearby plants can still occur inadvertently.

In evolutionary biology, nonhybridised populations may show reproductive isolation from related taxa, reducing gene flow. When populations do hybridize, gene exchange can lead to introgression and genetic admixture, which would violate a nonhybridised status.

The term's usage depends on context. In agriculture it highlights the absence of deliberate crossbreeding, while in evolutionary genetics it denotes the lack of past or present hybrid gene flow. Data are usually inferred from molecular markers, morphology, and breeding records.