Vol. 9, Issue 3, Part H (2024)

Author(s): VS Birhade, YB Kandalkar, SD Mandakmale, VD Borkar and MU Tanpure

Abstract: The data corrected for significant non-genetic factors from 397 Deccani female lambs, born between 2011 and 2019, were utilized for estimating heritability, genetic, and phenotypic correlations of growth and reproductive traits. These lambs were maintained at the Network Project on Sheep Improvement, Mahatma Phule Krishi Vidyapeeth, Rahuri, Maharashtra, India. The heritability estimates for various traits were as follows: birth weight (W0) 0.17±0.05, three-month body weight (W3) 0.23±0.03, six-month body weight (W6) 0.28±0.06, nine-month body weight (W9) 0.22±0.03, twelve-month body weight (W12) 0.21±0.01, age at first lambing (AFL) 0.15±0.01, service period (SP) 0.16±0.01, and lambing interval (LI) 0.16±0.02. The heritability observed for various growth traits and reproductive traits is low to medium. The moderate heritability estimates for growth traits, except for birth weight, indicate the presence of genetic variability within the flock, suggesting that these traits can be effectively improved through selection. The low heritability estimates for reproductive traits may be attributed to the significant influence of environmental effects and the limited variability between breeding rams. The positive and significant association amongst growth traits and negative and significant association amongst growth and reproduction traits indicate that the early stage body weights especially body weight at weaning stage can be considered for selection of animals to enhance the growth and reproduction traits.