Heritability Level for Effective Progeny Testing and Family Selection
Progeny testing and family selection are more effective when heritability of a trait is:
- High
- Low — Correct Answer
- Medium
- Zero
Explanation:
Correct Answer: Low
Progeny testing and family selection are more effective when heritability (h²) of the trait is low. When h² is low, individual phenotype is a poor predictor of genotype (large environmental influence), so averaging over progeny or family members reduces environmental noise.
Why Low h² → Progeny Testing?
- Reproductive traits (fertility, litter size, hatchability) have low h² and are sex-limited.
- For such traits, sire evaluation by progeny testing is the best method.
- Family selection uses family mean (average of collateral relatives) as the basis.
Progeny testing is a two-way selection system: it estimates breeding value of the sire AND selects superior progeny.
📚 About this Topic — Animal Genetics & Breeding
This multiple choice question is from Animal Genetics & Breeding, Animal Refresher. It has 4 options with a detailed explanation of the correct answer. Practice more MCQs from Animal Genetics & Breeding to strengthen your preparation.
