Study of Correlations between Traits, Characterizing Wool Productivity in Sheep from the Karnobat Fine-wool Breed

Margarit Iliev, Genoveva Staykova

Abstract: The aim of the present study was to investigate the correlations between the traits characterizing the wool production in sheep by Karnobat fine-wool breed. A study was carried out with two groups of sheep at the age of 2.5 years from the herd of the Institute of Agriculture in Karnobat born in 2005 and 2015 year. The subject of the study is the controlled traits: wool productivity, clean wool, staple length and live weight. It has been found that the correlation coefficients reflecting the dependencies between the individual characteristics characterizing wool production are comparatively low under the conditions of our study. The selection of the Karnobat fine-wool breed sheep can not be based on a correlation effect, and selection should be carried out on each trait individually. The correlation between wool productivity and clean wool in sheep born in 2005 and 2015 is positive and high in value (r = 0.715 and r = 0.723). These values, however, do not reach the limit, after which we can select only by wool productivity and ensure a high yield of clean wool. Heritability for the traits are low (h2 = 0.028 and h2 = 0.170), indicating that the genetic diversity of the herd is severely reduced and its potential capabilities can not provide for future genetic progress.

Keywords: correlations; heritability; Karnobat fine-wool breed; sheep breeding

Date published: 2019-05-09