Valitsemistulud

Valitsemistulud, a Finnish term, translates to "selection gains" or "selection profits" in English. It refers to the advantage gained when selecting individuals with superior traits for breeding purposes. This concept is fundamental in fields like animal and plant breeding, where the goal is to improve the genetic quality of a population over generations.

The principle of valitsemistulud operates by identifying individuals that exhibit desirable characteristics, such as higher yield, disease resistance, or faster growth rates, compared to the average of the population. These superior individuals are then chosen as parents for the next generation. By mating these selected individuals, their offspring are more likely to inherit these advantageous traits.

Over successive generations, the continuous selection of the best individuals leads to a cumulative improvement in the overall genetic merit of the population. This process allows for the gradual enhancement of desired traits, leading to economic benefits and increased efficiency in agricultural and other related industries. The magnitude of valitsemistulud depends on several factors, including the heritability of the trait being selected for, the intensity of selection (how many individuals are selected), and the generation interval. Understanding and applying the principles of valitsemistulud is crucial for effective breeding programs aimed at achieving specific genetic goals.