ScienceJuly 15, 2026
cultivar
/ˈkʌltɪvɑːr/
Definition
A plant variety that has been selectively bred by humans to possess specific desirable characteristics, such as heat tolerance.
Etymology
The word is a 20th-century blend of the words 'cultivated' and 'variety.' It was coined to distinguish plants developed through intentional human breeding from those that arise through natural evolution in the wild.
In the news
The article suggests that farmers should switch to heat-tolerant cultivars of exotic fruits to maintain production in the face of rising global temperatures. Using these specific plant varieties is presented as a vital strategy for climate adaptation in agriculture.
No avocados, no kiwis: Your favourite exotic fruits are losing to climate change
Read the full article ↗India Today