The heritability of loose wool bulk and colour traits and their
genetic and phenotypic correlations with other wool traits
M.L. Bigham; H.H. Meyer, J.E. Smeaton
Whatawhata Hill Country Research Centre, Ministry of Agriculture
and Fisheries, Hamilton
Proceedings of the New Zealand Society of Animal Production.
1983, 43: 83-87
The heritability of loose wool bulk and yellowness (CIE
Tristimulus value Y-Z) and the genetic and phenotypic correlation of
these with other wool traits were determined from data obtained on ewe
hoggets born in 1979 and 1980 in the strains trial at Rotomahana.
Heritability estimates were 0.41 ± 0.09 and 0.13 ± 0.06 for loose wool
bulk and yellowness respectively. The correlations indicated that
selection for loose woolbulk while not changing greasy fleece weight
would reduce clean fleece weight and increase the amount of grease/suint
in the fleece. Staple length would decrease and the wool would become
finer.
Selection for a low Y-Z value (white wool) would reduce both clean and
greasy fleece weight and decrease the amount of grease/suint in the
fleece. Staple length would decline and the wool would become finer.
Selection for greasy fleece weight would have little effect on loose
wool bulk and only a minor effect on yellowness.
Keywords: NZSAPAB;
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Last Updated 03-05-1997
