Kasitusvalik

Kasitusvalik is a term used in genetics, plant and animal breeding to describe the selection of individuals based on growth-related traits, with the aim of increasing growth rate, biomass accumulation, or feed efficiency in future generations. The word combines kasitus (growth, accumulation) and valik (selection). The concept is closely related to practices such as indirect selection, selection index, and breeding value estimation.

Applications and approaches

Kasitusvalik is applied in agricultural contexts to improve crops with faster growth or higher yield, livestock with better growth performance, and trees with accelerated height or diameter growth. Common methods include phenotypic selection (choosing individuals showing superior growth), genomic or marker-assisted selection (using DNA information to guide choices), and index selection (combining multiple growth-related traits into a single selection criterion).

Data and requirements

Effective kasitusvalik relies on reliable trait measurements, pedigree or genomic data, and understanding factors such as heritability and genetic correlations between traits. When index selection is used, economic weights or breeding objectives help balance growth with other important traits, like disease resistance or quality.

Benefits and limitations

The approach can yield faster genetic gains for growth traits and improve production efficiency. However, it may reduce genetic diversity if selection is intense or narrow in focus, and can lead to unfavorable changes in correlated traits. Accurate phenotyping or genotyping is essential, and the benefits depend on the heritability of the targeted growth traits.

See also

Selective breeding, heritability, selection differential, selection index, genomic selection.