ISSN:
1573-5060
Keywords:
Triticum aestivum
;
spring wheat
;
gain from selection
;
skewness
Source:
Springer Online Journal Archives 1860-2000
Topics:
Agriculture, Forestry, Horticulture, Fishery, Domestic Science, Nutrition
Notes:
Summary The distribution of many plant characters is skewed. The standard formula for the expected gain from selection is based on the assumption that the character value is the sum of two independent normal variables, one genetic and the other environmental. If the genetic variable is normal, but the environmental variable has a positively skewed distribution, then upwards selection will give a lower gain than that expected if both distributions are normal. If the distribution of the environmental variable is negatively skewed, then upwards selection will give a larger than expected gain. Of course, with downwards selection, the results will be reversed. This leads to asymmetry of response if both upwards and downwards selection are used. In cases where unexpected responses to selection are obtained and normality of the character distribution has been assumed, skewness of the data should be checked as possible cause.
Type of Medium:
Electronic Resource
URL:
http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/BF00028568
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