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I submit that the faulty logic of ‘survival of the fittest’ in testing new crop varieties originated from the concept of the
average (or mean). Suppose the average yield for ll was derived from these yields in 9 different sites in that same
region: EE 88, NT 93, NF 95, NS 97, NE 98, OH 100, OO 100, OT 100, OX 120 tons. So, we find 99 tons as the mean yield
(no site), 98 tons (Site NE) as the median yield, and 100 tons (Sites OH, OO, OT) as the mode yield. The difference
between mean and median and mode is a significant 1 ton. Since there’s no such thing as an average sorghum;
the median is an arbitrary figure – I’ll pick the mode yield, reflecting the trend of the yields of LL in that region –
there are 3 sites with 100 tons. LL’s best yield is 100, not 99 tons. 120 tons (Site OX) is a fluke.
Don’t forget that a crop variety is site-specific, growing best in one place and not another. Therefore, in
un-natural selection, ‘the survival of the fittest’ fits best the Site in the Region, not the Country. That’s the
fittest I can say, right?
‘Survival Of The Fittest’