Genetic analysis of growth traits of sangamneri goats

The recorded data on growth of 12, 102 Sangamneri goats, over a period of 13 years (2004–2016), available at All India Coordinated Research Project on Goat Improvement (Sangamneri field unit), M.P.K.V., Rahuri, were subjected to least square analysis. Effect of village cluster, year and season at the time of birth, type of birth, sex (as non-genetic factors) and sire (as genetic factor) on growth traits were studied. The overall least square means for body weight at 1, 3, 6, 9 and 12 months of age in Sangamneri goats were 5.07 ± 0.01, 9.50 ± 0.02, 14.80 ± 0.03, 18.85 ± 0.06 and 22.78 ± 0.10 kg, respectively. The body weights at 1, 3 and 6 months were significantly influenced by village cluster, year of birth, sex, type of birth and sire. Body length, however, was not affected by type of birth. The body weight at 9 and 12 month age was significantly affected by village cluster, year of birth, sex, type of birth and sire. Genetic and phenotypic correlations among body weight were positive and significant (P< 0.01) at all stages of age. The heritability for growth traits on the basis of body weight at 1, 3, 6, 9 and 12 months was 0.192±0.02, 0.402±0.02, 0.641±0.02, 0.756±0.02 and 0.512±0.02, respectively.