Comparison of family and sib selection during selfing

Abstract

Theory is presented and subsequently validated by computer simulation for predicting the difference in response to family and sib selection during selfing. The response is measured by the change in mean and variance of the distribution of inbred lines due to selection. A combined measure of the response is also given by the proportion of lines scoring higher or lower than a given target. Simulation of a highly heritable character under simple genetic control demonstrated the reliability of the theory. However, with a character of moderate heritability involving additive and nonadditive effects, and experimental sizes more common in practice, the differences between family and sib selection proved to be small. This was further confirmed by the sampling variation of the responses. © The Genetical Society of Great Britain.