Simplest and Most Commonly Used Basis of Selection

The simplest, most rapid, and most commonly used basis of selection is:

Correct Answer: Individual selection

Individual selection (Mass selection / Performance testing) is the simplest, most rapid, and most commonly used basis of selection. Animals are selected on the basis of their own phenotypic performance.

Key Attributes of Individual Selection

• Most accurate basis of selection
• Simplest, most rapid, most commonly used
• Shortest generation interval among all bases
• Effective when h² is high
• Cannot be used for sex-limited traits, low h² traits, or carcass traits

Contrast: Progeny testing is the most effective and best basis of selection (but slowest — longest generation interval).