Optimizing Selection for Yield Using Selection Index

Abstract

An experiment was conducted to construct selection indices for yield. F2 populations of half diallel crosses involving six cultivars were analyzed to calculate phenotypic and additive genetic variances and covariances which were used to construct selection indices. Results of the selection index indicated that selection applied to several traits simultaneously was more efficient than selection based on an individual trait or a combination of only one or two traits. However, the choice of traits to be included in a selection index should be determined by their economic value and Index involving panicle length, grain length, and grain width, was a promising index in this study. A selection index properly constituted can be used to improve the selection procedure, once homozygousity is assured.