Which one of the following statements regarding selfing is correct
A. It improves heterozygosity
B. It does not have any effect on heterozygosity
C. It reduces heterozygosity
D. None of these
Answer: Option C
Solution (By Examveda Team)
Selfing reduces heterozygosity.Selfing (self-pollination) is the ultimate form of inbreeding or mating among close relatives. It can create yield loss when inbreeding depression, defined as a lower survival and reproduction of inbred relative to outbred progeny, is present.
Selfing increases homozygosity and reduces heterozygosity at a rate of 0.50 per generation. Increased homozygosity can uncover recessive deleterious variants and lead to inbreeding depression unless it is countered by the loss of these variants by genetic purging.
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