Genetic analysis of a purebred herd of Kundhi buffaloes in Pakistan

Abstract

Kundhi is amongst the best dairy buffalo breeds of the world and main source of milk production in Sindh province of Pakistan. A Research and Development Kundhi Buffalo Farm was established at Rohri, Sukkur. Time series production performance data of 237 buffaloes, along with their pedigree, from 1976 through 2004 was collected and analyzed using Harvey Model-1 for fixed effects and DFREML for GLS solutions and genetic / phenotypic variances. The traits of economic importance studied were age at first calving (AFC), milk yield (MY), lactation length (LL), calving interval (CI) and dry period (DP). The fixed effects included year of birth (YOB), year of calving (YOC) season of calving (SOC) and lactation number (L No.). The data analyses revealed that among the fixed effect only YOC had significant effect (p < 0.05) on milk yield and all other traits. The average MY was 1356.48 ± 453.27 kg with mean lactation length 218.72 ± 122.97 days. The heritability of MY, CI, LL and DP was 0.209, 0.018, 0.009 and 0.024, respectively. Among the 5 sires used during this period, one sire contributed positively to milk production of the daughters. One hundred and three Kundhi buffaloes had positive and 134 negative breeding values for milk production. The genetic and phenotypic variance for milk yield was 35427.67 and 168521.94, respectively. The progeny testing program for Kundhi buffalos was initiated in August 2005. Under this program, more than 700 buffaloes are registered and ear tagged. The production and reproduction performance data recording at farmers doorstep has been initiated which will be used to identify bull mothers.

Keywords

• Milk yield, Genetic and phenotypic variance, Age at first calving, Heritability