Write an explanatory note on selection.

Explanation

Selection. It is the non-random differential selection of individuals in a population based on picking up of favourable variants and discarding of undesirable individuals. It is the oldest method of plant improvement among cultivators and it forms the basis of all other methods.
Selection is of two types.
(i) Mass selection. It is the most ancient and most popular method of plant breeding. At the time of harvesting, the plants are selected on the basis of their phenotypes and their seeds composited without progeny testing. The seeds are collected and mixed before sowing.
(ii) Pure line selection (Single plant selection). It is a collection of plants descended as a result of self-pollination from a single homozygous individual for particular character.