The variability observed for quantitative characters in a segregating population, as discussed in this section, is often quantified using statistical calculations. Without going into the details, we like to give formulae for calculating
mean (), variance (S2) and
standard deviation (S) which are useful in describing variability.
(where
x = the variable,
xi = the
ith measurement,
N = number of observations, and
σ = summation)
Standard deviation is considered important, because 66.7% of the population lies within the range of x̄
± S.
