Recurrent selection in autogamous species under forced random mating

Summary Artificial selection in autogamous species is investigated applying standard algebraic techniques to conventional self-pollinating breeding systems as well as to recurrent cross-pollinating ones for both one and two-locus models. More than two loci are considered by means of computer simulations. Allelic and non-allelic genotypic interactions as well as genes with a large effect are considered whenever possible. The overall picture shows a clear superiority of recurrent selection systems over self-pollinating breeding systems when negative linkage disequilibrium is either present or generated as is expected in actual breeding populations. When epistatic interaction enhances the selective advantage of new recombinants the superiority of recurrent selection is even greater.