What technique involves crossing dissimilar individuals to combine the best traits of both organisms?

Hybridization is the technique that involves crossing dissimilar individuals to combine the best traits of both organisms. This process typically involves the mating of two genetically different organisms to produce a hybrid that exhibits desirable characteristics from both parent lines. By introducing genetic variation, hybridization can enhance traits such as growth rate, disease resistance, and yield in plants and animals.

In contrast, selective breeding focuses on choosing specific individuals with desired traits to reproduce, without the necessary introduction of genetic diversity that hybridization provides. Cloning is a technique that produces a genetically identical copy of an organism and does not incorporate genetic variation from different individuals. Inbreeding involves mating individuals that are closely related, which can lead to a decrease in genetic diversity and potential health problems due to the expression of recessive traits. Thus, hybridization stands out as the method specifically designed to bring together genetic traits from dissimilar organisms.