Open AccessThe effect of year on phenotypic variability of performance traits of boars tested at the central test station
Author(s) -
M. Mijatović,
M. Petrović,
Dragan Radojković,
Milovan Pusic
Publication year - 2006
Publication title -
biotechnology in animal husbandry/biotechnology in animal husbandry
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
eISSN - 2217-7140
pISSN - 1450-9156
DOI - 10.2298/bah0602097m
Subject(s) - breed , biology , zoology , phenotypic trait , test (biology) , large white , test weight , body weight , veterinary medicine , demography , phenotype , medicine , genetics , ecology , agronomy , grain yield , sociology , gene , endocrinology
The basic goal of these investigations was to reconsider the hypothesis that year is an important factor which statistically affects phenotypic variability of production traits registered in performance test under conditions of a central test station and make decision to include this effect in models for estimation of phenotypic and genetic parameters which are needed for the genetic evaluation. The investigations were carried out over a seven year period (from 1995 to 2001) in the Station for testing of production capacities of swine at Agricultural Corporation "Beograd" in Padinska Skela. The examinations included a total of 738 tested animals of following breeds: Swedish Landrace, Large White and Hampshire. All three breeds were analyzed together because number of tested boars of Swedish Landrace and Hampshire breed was too small in comparison to the Large White breed. The least squares method was used to test the significance of the effects of year on variability of production traits. Test of significance showed that the year at the start of the test influenced (P<0.001) all feed efficiency traits and all growth traits except test duration and average daily gain. The body composition traits were significantly influenced (P<0.01 and P<0.001) by year except muscle depth. However, it was not expected that the body weight at the start of the test and at the end of the test was influenced (P<0.05 and P<0.001) by year at the start of the test. The weight at the start and at the end of the test must stay within strict limits proposed by the testing rules. These investigations showed that effect of year should be included in the models that are used to estimate of phenotypic and genetic parameters which are needed for the genetic evaluation of boars tested under conditions of the central station.