Genetics with the Fundamentals of Selection - M.P. Myhun - 2008

Chapter VIII. Genetic Foundations of Selection

8.1. Selection as a Science

Selection (breeding) is the science of the biological foundations and Methods for creating plant varieties, animal breeds, and microorganism strains with traits and properties required by humans.

The theoretical basis of selection is genetics. Only a thorough knowledge of the laws of Variability and heredity enables breeders to organize breeding work on a scientifically sound basis. In addition, it is essential to understand the biology of the target Organism—its GROWTH AND DEVELOPMENT patterns, Disease resistance, and reproduction.

Despite the critical importance of selection for agriculture, industry, and medicine, it cannot be considered a purely applied science. As N. I. Vavilov famously stated: "Selection is evolution directed by human will."

N. I. Vavilov identified the following branches of selection:

1) The Doctrine of the initial varietal, specific, and generic potential;

2) the patterns of hereditary variability;

3) the DOCTRINE OF THE environmental role in trait expression in selected organisms;

4) The Theory of Hybridization, including distant hybridization;

5) the theory of the breeding process;

6) the Analysis of the Morphology/3.html">MAIN DIRECTIONS OF breeding work;

7) specific breeding of individual species.

Like any science, selection has its own subject matter and Research Methods.

The subject of selection is The Study of the specific evolutionary patterns of domestic animals and useful plants under conditions of artificial selection.

The methods of selection include Genetic Methods of induced trait variability and artificial selection.

The primary objective of selection is to create high-yielding animal breeds, plant varieties, and microorganism strains that serve as the most effective means of increasing labor productivity in agriculture and other industries.