Question

Mass selection method is basically used for

Answer 1

Pollinated Plants – Mass Selection

Mass Selection:

Mass selection is a simplest , common and oldest method of crop improvement, in which large number of plants of similar phenotype are selected and their seeds are harvested and mixed together to constitute the new variety. This method is practised in both self and cross – pollinated crops and plants are selected on the basis of their phenotype of appearance. Therefore, selection is done for easily observable characteristics such as plant height, ear/type, grain colour, grain size, etc.

The original population would have been a mixture of several pure lines and the plants selected from it would be homozygous. But the variety developed through mass selection would have a considerable genetic variation and consequently, further mass selection or pure line selection may be done in such a variety. Generally, the plants selected in mass selection are not subjected to progeny test. There are two methods of mass selection.

1) Hallets Method (1869):

In this method the crop is grown under the best environmental conditions and maximum amounts of water and fertilization to given and then mass selection practised.

2) Rimpar Method (1867):

In this method the crop is grown under ordinary condition or unfavourable conditions with minimum water and fertilizers and the mass selection is practised. It is more effective and easily applicable.

Application of Mass Selection:

In self pollinated crops, mass selection has two major applications. i.e

i) Improvement of local varieties 
ii) Purification of existing pure line varieties.

i) Improvement of Local or Deshi Varieties:

The local varieties are mixtures of several genotypes, which may differ in flowering or maturity plant height, disease resistant etc. Many of these plants type would be inferior and low yielding, such plants will be eliminated through mass selection and local variety would be improved without adversely affecting its adaptability and stability. Because the new variety would be made up of the most of the superior plants type present in the original local variety.

ii) Purification of Existing Pure Line Varieties:

Pure lines tend to become variable with time due to mechanical mixtures, natural hybridization, mutation etc. therefore, it is necessary that the purity of pure line varieties be maintained through regular mass selection. Mass selection is generally important and practised in cross-pollinated crop and has the only limited application in self pollinated crop.

Procedure of Mass Selection:

First Year:

A large number of phenotypically similar plants are selected at the time of harvest on the basis of their vigour, plant type, disease resistance and other desirable characteristics. Few hundreds to several thousands plants are selected. The unit of selection may be plant, head of seed. The selected plants are harvested and seed mixed together to grow next generation. Selection of too more plants should be avoided in the first year.

Second Year:

The composite seed is planted in a preliminary yield trial along with standard variety as a check. If this method is used for purification of old mixed variety from which the selection was made, should also be included as a check. Observe the phenotypic characters critically. The best performances are retained and others are discarded.

Third to Sixth Year:

The superior strains are evaluated for their performance in co-ordinated yield trails at several locations, first in an initial evaluation trail (IET) for one year, if found promising promoted to uniform variety trail (UVT) for two or more years. Only promising one is identified for release as new variety.

Seventh Year:

Promising strain may be released for cultivation by multiplication and distribution to the farmer for general cultivation. If recommended by central variety release committee.

Advantages of Mass Selection:

1. Since large numbers of plants are selected, the variety developed through mass selection is more widely adapted than pure lines. 
2. It is easiest , simplest and quickest method of plant breeding because there is no controlled pollination, no progeny testing and prolonged yield trials as well as it is more of an than a science. 
3. Mass selection retains considerable genetic variability and hence variety can be improved after few years by another mass selection. 
4. The breeder can developed more time to another programme as it is less demanding method. 

hope it helps u (: