The combining ability of poltava meat and welsh pigs breed combination
Aim. Poltava Meat and Welsh pigs breed reciprocal crossing combination ability study. Methods. The combination ability evaluation method, the method of incomplete diallel crossing. The traditional methods of pigs general and specific combining ability effects estimation. Results. The Rosinka family sows were characterized by positive values of general combining ability, except the prolificacy rate. The Bystra family sows by the multiple pregnancy and milk production indexes had positive values of general combining ability, but by a nest weight at a birth and weaning – negative. For the Vorskla family sows the positive indexes of general combining ability were identified for a nest weight at a birth only, for the rest indexes – the negative value of general combining ability were installed. The Rosinka family sows had the positive value of specific combining ability for all maternal productivity indxes. The Bystra family sows were characterized by positive value of specific combining ability only for a nest weight at a birth and milk production indexes. The Vorskla family sows by the all maternal productivity indexes had negative specific combining values. Conclusions. For complex reproductive ability indexes for various lines and families combinations the highest positive effect of specific combining values was obtained for Rosinka family sows combinations of Poltava meat breed with the Welsh breed boars. Keywords: pigs, Welsh breed, Poltava Meat breed, reproductive ability, combining ability.