SELF-FERTILIZATION AND QUANTITATIVE TRAIT EVOLUTION

本研究将调查自花受精对 植物种群通过自然选择或人工选择的进化。 目的是（l）建立一个数学模型来预测反应 部分自交群体中的选择作为遗传的函数， （2）分析该模型，以确定在何种遗传 假设自我受精预计将加速或延迟 选择;和（3）测试这个模型的经验充分性与一个新的 一种对植物种Mimulus的人工选择试验 点滴该模型的发展将有助于现场生物学家 自然选择的研究，并应促进 开发有效的技术，选择性地改善 农业植物。 高效的植物育种计划对农业的发展至关重要。 维持和改善人类健康和营养标准。

This study will investigate the consequences of self-fertilization for the evolution of plant populations by either natural or artificial selection. The objectives are to (l) develop a mathematical model to predict response to selection in a partially selfing population as a function of genetic parameters; (2) analyze this model to determine under what genetic assumptions self-fertilization is expected to accelerate or retard selection; and (3) test the empirical adequacy of this model with a novel type of artificial selection experiment on the plant species Mimulus guttatus. The development of this model will aid field biologists in investigations of natural selection and should also facilitate the development of efficient techniques for the selective improvement of agricultural plants. Efficient plant breeding programs are critical to the maintenance and improvement of human health and nutrition standards.