Genetic evaluation of growth performance of Nilagiri and Sandyno sheep

The book on 'Genetic evaluation of growth performance of Nilagiri and Sandyno sheep' describes ways to improve economically important body weight and growth efficiency traits in these two genetic groups of sheep. Details on these two breeds, their origin and habitat, system of management and utility have been documented. The review section has an extensive coverage on growth performance of various exotic, indigenous and crossbred sheep. Details on the method of estimation of variance components, inbreeding coefficient and breeding value are also explained. Various results obtained have been illustrated in the form of tables and graphs. Genetic and phenotypic trends for various traits are also represented as line diagrams. A new concept of individual increase in inbreeding has been compared with the conventional inbreeding coefficient. The final section on discussion explains the results for each growth trait and provides suggestions for improvement through application of breeding principles. Inbreeding depression in growth traits has been dealt with in detail, comparing other similar studies.