Division of Animal Breeding and Genetics, Faculty of Veterinary Sciences and Animal Husbandry, Sher-e-Kashmir University of Agricultural Sciences &Technology of Kashmir, Shalimar, Srinagar, (Jammu and Kashmir)
The wool production data of sheep, ½ (n= 605) to 5 ½ (n= 466) year of age and born during 1972–1981 were analyzed to assess the impact of genetic groups, year of birth, type of birth, birth weight on wool production and its quality traits. Least square means for wool yield and quality traits were 1. 19 ± 0.01 kg, 55.55 ± 0.33%, 21.69± 0.19 μ, 16.1± 0.4/inch and 5.73 ± 0.15 cm for clean fleece yield, clean wool yield, fiber diameter, crimps per inch and staple length, respectively. The overall least square means for wool production were 0.996± 0.04, 2.04± 0.03, 2.61± 0.13, 2.48± 0.05, 2.42± 0.05 and 2.36± 0.06 kg at ½, 1½, 2½, 3½, 4½ and 5½ year of age, respectively. Genotype showed significant (P<0.05) influence on total wool production at age of 2½ year and onwards. Birth weight was also a significant factor at 1½ and 2 ½ year of age. The variation in wool production over the years was significant at all the ages but the trend was erratic. Genetic group significantly affected clean fleece weight, clean wool yield and fiber diameter values as these traits were higher in cross than pure Rambouillet. Environmental variation, as depicted by year effect, was significant but without any specific trend across different years. Clean fleece weight, clean wool yield and staple length regressed significantly on corresponding (18 month's) greasy fleece weight.
Crossbred, Gaddi, Rambouillet, Wool Production, Wool Quality
