A theoretical basis for measuring the efficiency of selection in plant breeding

A new index of selection efficiency, i.e. the ratio of the probability of achieving the desired genetic gain in a target population to the cost expended for that gain, is introduced to define the optimum selection procedures that give the most opportunities for producing new commercial varieties. Monte Carlo simulations of mass selection showed that the index gives solutions to some important optimization problems which cannot be solved based on the traditional indices, the expected genetic gain or its ratio to the cost. The optimum cycle and intensity of selection and optimum population size for a target population could be defined by the new index, but not by the traditional indices.