Genetic and non-genetic factors influencing fibre quality of Arkharmerino × Ghezel and Arkharmerino × Moghani crossbreeds of sheep in third generation

Abstract

This investigation was carried out to reveal the comparative production performances and effect of some environmental factors on the wool characteristics of Arkharmerino x Ghezel and Arkharmerino x Moghani crossbred sheep in third generation. The research material consisted of fleece samples taken during a period of two years (2007-2008) from the midside region of the animals. Each sample was measured for average fibre diameter, fibre diameter variability, staple length, proportion of medullated fibre, proportion of kemp and comfort factor. The comparative values for these fleece characteristics in F3th Arkharmerino x Ghezel were 28.78±0.48µ, 36.84±1.16%, 11.94±0.35cm, 7.07±0.93%, 1.02±0.23% and 68.93% and for, Arkharmerino x Moghani were, 29.79±0.43µ, 41.86±1.16%, 11.96±0.37 cm, 8.13±1.06%, 2.71±0.45% and 63.33±3.66% respectively. The effects of genotype, sex, birth type, and year of birth were studied. Genotype had a significant (P<0.01) effect on average fibre diameter and proportion of kemp and Arkharmerino x Ghezel crossbreeds had lower diameter with a smaller proportion ofkemp. The two differences in fibre characteristics that were attributable to sex were fibre diameter variability and proportion of medullated fibre and females had higher amounts than males for both trait. As a result of the statistical analysis, it was found that crossing with Arkharmerino generally had positive effects on the fleece, favouring its use in the hand-woven authentic carpet industry.