Question

Describe two distinct ways that a breeder can maximize heritabilities when selecting for a high yield strain. Hint – look at the formula for heritability. Don’t just state what is needed – describe how to accomplish it.

Please explain each of the ways thoroughly.

Answer 1

Please give a thumbs up.

As per the given hint the formula of heritability shows that it is directly proportional to the variation in genotypes and inversely proportional to the variation in phenotype. So to increase heritability we need to increase variation in genotype... Or decrease the variation in phenotype.

To increase the variation in genotype we can modify the genes of the plant by different methods such as modifying its genes by genetic engineering. Mutations can also be caused by random mating or by using recombinant technology.

Phenotypes are usually caused by the the genotype of the organism or sometimes due to the environmental factors. So we can change the environmental factors for high yielding crops accordingly. We can also figure out the way to produce homozygous dominant or heterozygous genotypic crops so that there is difference genotypes but not in phenotypes.