Question

What is Artificial Selection? Give examples.

Answer 1

The selection of the fittest individuals /traits done by nature is called natural selection. While if selection of particular desired traits for breedingis done by man it is called artificial selection. Artificial selection is done by selecting individuals that show desired phenotypes and then these individuals are bred artificially in order to generate new plants/ animals with improved characters.

For e.g. Early farmers cultivated wild cabbage or Brassica oleracea . This wild cabbage was developed into many varieties such as cabbage, broccoli, kohlrabi, cauliflower, kale, and Brussels by artificial selection and breeding.