SELECTION INDEX WHEN GENETIC GAINS OF INDIVIDUAL TRAITS ARE OF PRIMARY CONCERN

Abstract

A new procedure for constructing economic weight free selection index, based on exclusively breeder's intention, is presented. In its derivation the aggregate genotype which is absolutely required in the conventional method was ignored. In this sense this method is completely new and is applicable to the case in which the relative economic weight of each trait is unknown or difficult to assess because of no available standard for the assessment.The use of the technique to evaluate the breeder's objective whether it is attainable within a given period of time with a given selection intensity is described.This selection index has a wide application to practical breeding operations, since it includes several conditions of constraints proposed by other workers. The formula for predicting genetic gains in those traits which are not of the breeder's primary objective is also presented.