Question

Methods of selection in plants showing vegetative propagation is
A. Clonal selection
B. Mass selection
C. Pureline selection
D. Pedigree selection

Answer 1

Hint: A single individual (parent) is capable of producing offspring through asexual methods. Consequently, the offspring produced are not only similar to each other, but are also exact copies of their parents. The term clone is used to describe individuals that are morphologically and genetically identical.

Complete answer
Plant breeding is a process used to increase crop variety and yield, improve seed quality and to produce genetically superior plants with desirable properties. This can be done by means of various methods.

>Clonal selection is seen in plants which are propagated asexually. The process is called clonal selection, because the species formed by vegetative propagation are genetically identical with the parent.

>Various breeding methods that are most widely used for genetic enhancement of different crop plants are known as general breeding methods. These methods of breeding include introduction, selection methods like pureline selection, mass selection, pureline selection, hybridization, etc.

>In mass selection individuals are selected according to phenotypic superiority. The seeds are then mixed for use for the next season. Mass selection is commonly done for species of cross pollinated plants and rarely in species that are self-pollinated or asexually propagated. A mass selected variety is a combination of different purelines. In pureline selection, a single best progeny variety is introduced. In pedigree selection, superior genotypes are chosen from segregating populations and correct records of the selected plant ancestors are preserved in each generation.

Thus, the correct answer is option A i.e., Clonal selection.

Note:Plant breeders develop plants by choosing those with the higher potential based on plants performance, pedigree, and more advanced genetic information. Plant breeding has been successful in raising crop yield to satisfy the ever-growing demand for food.