Growth, wool production and wool quality parameters of Magra sheep under field conditions

Data on 180 Magra females purchased lTom its breeding tract during October, 1997, were recorded in respect of body weight and greasy fleece yield. The wool samples from mid side region from all the animals were taken and analysed for morphological, lustre and mechanical properties. Least squares analysis was run to assess the effect of age and flock on body weight, wool yield, wool quality parameters viz. fibre diameter, hetero fibre, hairy fibre, medullalion, staple length and crimp and lustre determining parameters viz. reflectance, fluorescence, total of reflectance and flurescence, ratio of fluorescence to reflectance, and mechanical properties viz. tenacity and extension. The overall least squares means were 22.28±0.22 kg, 607±14g, 37.79±O.48μ, 14.98±0.67%, 45.79±1.92%, 59.89±1.99%, 6.38±0.14cm, 0.97±0.03, 206.95±2.88, 130.14±1.79, 337.08±4.59, 0.68±0.01, 7.78±0.15 g/tex and 25.83±0.47%, respectively for the traits under study. The effect of age was found to be highly significant (P<0.01) on body weight, extension and significant (P<0.05) on helero and medullated fibres. Flock had highly significant influence on hairy and medullated fibres and significant effect on fibre diameter. Wool quality and lustre determining parameters indicated that the wool was of a good carpet quality. As far as further improvement of wool for carpet wool production there is need to reduce percentage of hairy fibres and improve quantity of hetero fibres through use of good quality rams.