Selective Breeding

Definition
Selective breeding is also known as artificial
selection. It is humans selecting desirable traits
in a species and choosing which individuals
breed in order to increase these traits in the
species.
All crops and domesticated animals today are a
product of selective breeding.

Selective breeding vs natural

selection

Natural selection is certain individuals of a species

being fitter, possessing alleles which make them
more successful in their environment. These
individuals survive longer and produce more
offspring. Therefore more of their alleles are passed
on to the next generation and over time these
alleles become more common in the gene pool
In selective breeding humans determine which
phenotypes, and therefore genotypes are desirable
in the species. They then increase the alleles for
these traits through breeding programmes. Often
the species produced would be unable to survive in
the wild

Selective breeding nothing

new
Agriculture began 10,000yrs ago. Humans
selected wild varieties of plants and animals with
the traits they desired and began selective
breeding to increase these desired traits; e.g. to
produce bigger, easier to harvest grains with a
greater yield, to breed animals that were the
most docile and easy to handle.

From Biozone powerpoint cultural evolution

From Biozone powerpoint cultural evolution

Selective breeding animals

Belgium Blue cattle cattle bred to produce a

huge amount of muscle (meat). Produced by
selecting individuals with a mutation in myostatin
gene which results in the production of an
increased number of muscle fibres (hyperplasia)
Excess muscle growth begins in utero so calves
have to be born by caesarean section.
Fertilisation is almost always by artificial
insemination, meaning that sperm can be shipped
across continents and only the best bulls are
selected to breed.

Selective breeding
Inbreeding is -methods
reproduction from the mating of
parents who are closely related genetically.
Livestock breeders often practice controlled
breeding to eliminate undesirable characteristics
within a population, which is also coupled with
culling of what is considered unfit offspring,
especially when trying to establish a new and
desirable trait in the stock.
Repeated test crosses are often used in order to
produce pure breeding individuals

Modern corn
Ancient corn
from Peru
(~4000 yrs old)

Choosing only the best corn plants for

seeds results in better crops over a

Polyploidy
Polyploidy is a mutation that occurs during meiosis
and results in multiple sets of chromosomes (3n/4n
etc)
Polyploidy is usually fatal in animal species, but
frequently occurs in plants.
Polyploid plants have bigger fruits and grains and
infertile polyploid are seedless. These traits are
selected for in selective breeding programmes
Polyploidy can be induced in plants using a chemical
called colchine. This is used to produce bigger,
stronger polyploid plants and to make fertile
polyploid plants.

From Biozone Powerpoint Mutations

How To Make A Fertile Polyploid Hybrid

To produce a tetraploid plant, the alkaloid colchicine is applied to the

terminal bud of a branch. All the cells in the developing branch will
be tetraploid (4n) with four sets of chromosomes. This includes cells
of the stem, leaves, flowers and fruit. Gametes (egg and sperm)
produced by a flower on this tetraploid branch will be diploid (2n)
with two sets of chromosomes. A flower on the normal diploid (2n)
branch will produce haploid (n) gametes containing one set of
chromosomes.http://waynesword.palomar.edu/hybrids1.htm

How Colchicine induces polyploidy

The original mother cell is diploid (2n). During anaphase the

chromatids separate and move to opposite ends of the cell. Colchicine
causes the dissolution (depolymerization) of protein microtubules
which make up the mitotic spindle in dividing cells. This leaves the
cell with twice as many single chromosomes (four sets rather than
two). When this cell divides, each of the two daughter cells will have
fours sets of chromosomes, a total of eight chomosomes per cell.
[Note: Spindle poisons such as colchicine are used to prevent tumor
cells from dividing in certain chemotherapy treatments.]

http://waynesword.palomar.edu/hybrids1.htm

Genome analysis
Genome analysis is determining the locus
(position on the chromosome) and base
sequence of all an organisms genes.
Chromosome mapping determines on which
chromosome and at which locus a gene occurs.
DNA sequencing determines the exact base
sequence of each gene, it can be used to
distinguish between different alleles.
Genome analysis is used in selective breeding to
determine if an individual has a specific, desired
allele and to select individuals for breeding
programmes based on their alleles

Genome analysis and selective

breeding - examples
Genome analysis of kiwifruit is being used to
selectively breed new, trademarked varieties of
fruit with characteristics such as disease
resistance.
Source: http://www.plantandfood.co.nz/page/ourresearch/breeding-genomics/

Sheep in NZ are being selectively bred to be

immune to facial eczema, a fungal disease that
can destroy whole flocks. Genome analysis of
sheep was carried out and individuals immune to
the disease were selected for a breeding
programme. Source:Ag research NZ

Other Applications of
Selective breeding

Breeding programmes for endangered species,

may involve genome analysis and selection of the
least genetically related individuals to breed (to
maintain genetic diversity in the species).

Selective breeding programmes have resulted in

higher yields and better disease resistance in
aquaculture species, such as salmon.

Implications of selective
breeding
We are concerned with the biological
implications of selective breeding that may
impact on :
1.Ecosystems
2.Genetic biodiversity
3.Health or survival of individuals
4.Survival of populations
5.Evolution of populations
Brainstorm some possible (general) implications
of selective breeding for each of these.