How can narrow sense heritability be applied in animal breeding?

Narrow sense heritability is a measure that quantifies the proportion of phenotypic variance in a trait that can be attributed to additive genetic variance. This concept is crucial in animal breeding because it helps breeders predict how traits will respond to selection. When breeders select animals with desirable traits, understanding narrow sense heritability allows them to estimate the potential response to selection over generations. A higher narrow sense heritability indicates that a significant portion of the trait's variation is genetic, and thus, selective breeding is likely to be effective in enhancing that trait in subsequent generations. This predictive power makes it a fundamental concept in the field of genetics and breeding programs. By applying narrow sense heritability, breeders can make informed decisions to improve traits efficiently, which is essential for developing superior livestock or other domesticated species.