Basic Principles of Response to Selection

When comparing different breeding programs the first question usually asked is "what are the expected responses to selection of the various plans". A considerable part of this course will focus on methods of designing breeding programs, which maximize response to selection. Although breeding plans are often quite complex, most can usually be understood in terms of a few simple principles of response to selection. In this chapter we briefly review these principles as a foundation for what follows in the rest of the course.