Step 1: Understanding the Concept:
Genotype-by-Environment (GxE) interaction occurs when different genotypes perform differently relative to each other when grown in different environments.
This interaction is a key factor in quantitative genetics and livestock breeding programs.
Step 2: Detailed Explanation:
Let us evaluate both statements:
Statement (I) is correct.
If there is no GxE interaction, the relative performance of different genotypes remains consistent across different environments.
The genotype that performs best in one environment will also perform best in others, as shown by parallel lines on a performance-by-environment plot.
Statement (II) is incorrect.
GxE interaction is highly important in dairy and beef cattle breeding, particularly for sire (bull) evaluation across different locations.
A bull whose daughters perform exceptionally well in a temperate, high-input environment may perform poorly in a tropical, low-input environment.
Evaluating and accounting for these interactions is essential to ensure that selected bulls are suited to the specific environment where their offspring will be raised.
Therefore, Statement (I) is correct, but Statement (II) is incorrect.
Step 3: Final Answer:
Statement (I) is correct but Statement (II) is incorrect.