Non-genetic factors affecting pre-weaning growth and morphometric traits in Assam Hill goat.

F Akhtar,A Das,L Sarma,G Zaman,R N Goswami,N Nahardeka,A Aziz

doi:10.14202/vetworld.2019.1327-1331

Abstract

Aim:This study aimed to determine the genetic and non-genetic factors affecting pre-weaning body weight (BW) and morphometry in Assam Hill goat along with the genetic parameters.Materials and Methods:The detailed information in respect of BW and body measurements of 960 animals at birth and 3 months of age belonging to three different populations of Assam Hill goat maintained at field units, namely, Batabari, Nahira, and Tetelia under “All India Coordinated Research Project on Goat Improvement” were utilized in the present study. The data were analyzed using least squares technique.Results:The least squares means for BW, height at withers (HW), heart girth (HG), and body length (BL) were 1.166±0.008 kg, 26.198±0.070 cm, 26.695±0.096 cm, and 29.482±0.119 cm at birth and 4.590±0.083 kg, 36.850±0.105 cm, 40.741±0.115 cm, and 39.703±0.108 cm at 3 months of age, respectively. Location had a significant effect on BW, HW, and BL at both birth and 3 months and on HG at 3 months of age. Season of birth exerted significant effect only on BL at birth, whereas the significant effect of sex was observed on HG and BL at 3 months of age. The heritability estimates for BW and body measurements were moderate indicating the scope of selection. The phenotypic and genetic correlations among BWs and body measurements at birth and 3 months of age were positive in direction and high in magnitude.Conclusion:On the basis of the present findings, it could be concluded that the weaning weight of kids can be considered for the selection of parent stock to increase productivity and eventually the economic efficiency. Further, animals with higher body measurements at initial phases of growth will perform better with respect to even BW at later stages of growth.

Highlights

Goat substantially contributes to the rural economy and provides a livelihood to the poor sections of the society
On the basis of the present findings, it could be concluded that the weaning weight of kids can be considered for the selection of parent stock to increase productivity and eventually the economic efficiency
The estimates of least squares means (LSM) and Standard errors (SEs) for body weight (BW), height at withers (HW), heart girth (HG), and body length (BL) at birth and 3 months of age along with the results of Duncan’s multiple range test (DMRT) are presented in Table-1, and least squares analyses of variance showing the effect of different factors on the traits are presented in Table-2

Summary

Introduction

Goat substantially contributes to the rural economy and provides a livelihood to the poor sections of the society. India possesses the second largest goat population in the world with 135.17 million goats (26.40% of the country’s total livestock) which corresponds to 15.68% of total goat population in the world [1]. The goat population of Assam is 6.169 million, contributing 4.56% of total goat population of India [1]. The Assam Hill goat is a newly registered breed distributed throughout the state of Assam possessing good quality meat and high adaptability characteristics to local high humid agro-climatic condition. Almost the entire population of Northeastern region of India is non-vegetarian and chevon is the meat of choice having no religious taboo. The chevon production in Assam in the year 2012-2013 was 11,000 tonnes which were

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