Question

Given below are two statements:
Statement (I): Heritability of body condition score in cattle is high.
Statement (II): Progeny testing is most effective when the heritability of the trait is high.
In light of the above statements, choose the most appropriate answer from the options given below:

• A. Both Statement (I) and Statement (II) are correct.
• B. Both Statement (I) and Statement (II) are incorrect.
• C. Statement (I) is correct but Statement (II) is incorrect.
• D. Statement (I) is incorrect but Statement (II) is correct.

Hint:

Mass selection is highly effective for traits with high heritability.
Progeny testing is the preferred method for traits with low heritability, sex-limited traits, or traits that can only be measured after slaughter.

Answer 1

The Correct Option is B

Step 1: Understanding the Concept:
Heritability (\( h^2 \)) is the proportion of the total phenotypic variance that is due to additive genetic variance.
The heritability of a trait determines which selection method (individual selection vs. progeny testing) is most effective for genetic improvement.

Step 2: Detailed Explanation:
Let us evaluate both statements:
Statement (I) is incorrect.
The body condition score (BCS) in cattle is a subjective measure of an animal's fat reserves.
It is heavily influenced by non-genetic factors such as nutrition, health, and lactation stage.
Consequently, the heritability of BCS is low to moderate (typically ranging from \( 0.15 \) to \( 0.25 \)), not high.
Statement (II) is incorrect.
Progeny testing is a selection method based on the performance of an animal's offspring.
It is most effective for traits with *low* heritability (such as milk yield or fertility), because individual performance is a poor indicator of breeding value for these traits.
For traits with high heritability (such as growth rate or conformation), individual selection (mass selection) is highly effective, faster, and much less expensive than progeny testing.
Therefore, both statements are incorrect.

Step 3: Final Answer:
Both Statement (I) and Statement (II) are incorrect.