What is Mass Selection – Definition?
In mass selection seeds are collected from a large number of phenotypically similar plants available in population and are bulked to grow next generation. In the simplest manner it is the creation of mixture of different lines.
While selection easily observable characters like plant height, grain color, grain size, tillering ability, disease resistance etc. are considered. Mass selection increases frequencies of desirable genes. This type of selection method of plant breeding can be carried out multiple times as mass selected variety may contain considerable genetic variation. But, new genetic variability is not created; only the present one is used just to improve base population performance.
Genetic basis of Mass Selection
Mass selection is used in both self pollinated and cross pollinated species. In case of cross pollinated species the mass selected varieties are heterozygous and heterogeneous. In self pollinated species, these varieties are a mixture of several pure lines, means homozygous but heterogeneous.
Types of Mass Selection
It can be of two types as given below.
- Positive mass selection
- Negative mass selection
To understand the procedure for development of such varieties visit page Procedure for Mass Selection. This page includes detailed procedure for the development of mass selected variety.
To know advantages, disadvantages and applications of mass selection visit page Advantages – applications of mass selection. This provides sufficient information on the topics enlisted.