SELECTION OF THE NIGERIAN INDIGENOUS FOWL FOR 12-WEEK BODY WEIGHT

A FOUNDATION stock of 1171 male and 1210 female indigenous fowl supplied a breeding population which increased from 858 — 1627 over a period of seven generations (about 71 years) During the first three generations 30-38 % of males and females and subsequently about 2.4 — 2.7% males and 25 % females were selected positively for 12 weeks body weight. A non-selected flock mated population of 455 — 615 females and 53 — 70 males per generation provided basis for determining the response to selection. This amounted to 40.1 ± 0.37g, 36.9 ± 0.37g and 39.4 ± 0.37g per generation for male, female and the sexes combined respectively. The realised heritability estimates 0.27 ± 0 03 — 0.28 ± 0.03 appeared close to values obtained by within generation hierachial classification and suggested, no sex-linked effects for the selected trait in this population. The relatively low ultimate male and female mean weights, 760.0 ± 63.1g and 673.5 1 ± 79.0g respectively combined with the marked reduction in the variation of body weight that occurred as selection progressed indicate that the Nigerian indigenous fowl is not a potential broiler strain.

Small holder herd structure of West African Dwarf goats in a derived savannah environment area of Nigeria

The herd structure of small holder farmers engaged in the keeping of West African dwarf goats in Surulere Local government area of Ogbomosho, a derived Savannah zone of Oyo State, Nigeria was surveyed. 30 flock owners having a total of 273 goats were randomly selected and studied using structured questionnaire, on farm visit and personal interviews. The parameters measured include age, sex and occupation of the farmers; Age, sex and number of animals kept, sources of foundation stock, housing type; major problems facing the farmers; time, mode, ease, peak and age of animal disposal. The result indicated that middle age men and married women were more into goat rearing. The herd size ranged from 6.67 – 12.33 goats per farmer with an overall average of 9.10. Goats kept were fairly young. In most cases, stock foundation were acquired through gift and purchase from neighbours. Semi-intensive system of management was mostly embraced because it is less risky, low labour and cost inputs were involved. The major limiting factor is the health problem.

SELECTION RESPONSE FOR HIGHER BODY WEIGHT IN NIGERIA'S INDIGENOUS CROSSBRED PIGS

Six generations of population selection from 2 lines of improved indigenous pigs *NIGER HUBS" comprising pigs born from the year 1984 - 1990 were evaluated. Continued selection for higher body size resulted in observed increases in 150 day body weight of 26% in the white line A and 41% in the black and white line B from the average weight of the foundation stock and 76 to 84 per cent at 12 month of age for these lines of pius respectively. Moderately high heritability estimates of 0.36 to 0.69 were reported for both lines for the 150 day weight and 0.58 to 0.76 for the yearling weight. Response to selection was highest in the first generation of the Bline and the third generation of the A line. Overall response value of 5.79±1.28kg during the first generation declined to 5.01kg±1.08 during the second generation although this subsequently increased from the third to fifth generations. With the plateau not reached within this 6 generation of selection, further response may still be expected in these lines of pigs

Genetic Characterization of the Yugoslavian Shepherd Dog – Sharplanina, a Livestock Guard Dog from the Western Balkans

Yugoslavian Shepherd Dog - Sharplanina (YSD) is a livestock guard dog from the Western Balkans present in this region over a long time, but recognized by the Fédération Cynologique Internationale as a distinct breed as late as 1957. However, the information regarding the origin and the size of the breed’s foundation stock is still lacking. In order to contribute towards better understanding of the genetic make-up of the YSD and its foundation stock, we re-analyzed previously generated genetic profiles of 94 registered YSD dogs assessed with nine nuclear microsatellites. Studied individuals comprised 90 unrelated dogs and two pairs of full-sibs, sampled at four sampling sites: three dog shows and at a military training centre for dogs in Serbia. We supported earlier findings on high levels of genetic diversity in YSD (HE=0.728±0.027) and lack of inbreeding, and revealed substructure of the breed because we found two distinct gene pools in the Bayesian clustering analysis, indicated also by the excess of homozygotes (i.e., Wahlund effect) and outcomes of other analyses: linkage disequilibrium tests, Neighbour-Joining tree, principal coordinates and two-dimensional scaling analyses. The two gene pools were almost equally represented at each sampling site. One gene pool was composed of individuals with high genetic integrity, while the other gene pool was characterized with admixed ancestry, developed possibly via hybridization with native breeding stock outside the registry system, other breeds, such as the Caucasian Shepherd, and/or individuals admixed with wolves. Thus, we demonstrate rather complex and diverse ancestry implying a genetically heterogeneous foundation stock of the YSD.

Egg Hatchability and Early Growth Performance of Cross and Backcross Involving Nigeria Fulani Ecotype and Isa Brown Chickens

An experiment was carried out to study the egg hatchability and growth performance of crossbred chickens involving Fulani ecotype (E) and Isa brown (B) chickens and their backcross using artificial insemination method of mating. The F1 progeny, the crossbred (EB), was produced by crossing E (sire) with B (dam) while the first backcross (BEB) was achieved using the B (sire) and the EB (dam). The second backcross (EBB) was carried out by mating the EB (sire) and the B (dam). A total of 35 birds were used as foundation stock (five E males, five B males and 25 B female chickens) to produce 137 EB crossbred chickens and 187 backcross chickens (98 EEB chickens and 89 BEB chickens). Weekly body weight and daily feed intake were obtained on the progenies generated from the mating for a period of 20 weeks. Other parameters like weight gain, feed conversion ratio, percentage fertility, hatchability and percentage dead shell were calculated from the data. The results revealed that the growth performance was affected by genotype. The EB chickens obtained the highest body weight across the weeks (37.6 to 1169 g) and the backcross chickens had the highest fertility (76.2%) and hatchability (83.2%). Therefore, it could be concluded that crosses between the Fulani ecotype and Isa brown chickens had the best growth performance and improved fertility while the backcross sired by the F1 had better performance when hatchability is considered.

Propagation from Basal Epicormic Meristems Remediates an Aging-Related Disorder in Almond Clones

The asexual propagation of clonal crops has allowed cultivation of superior selections for thousands of years. With time, some clones deteriorate from genetic and epigenetic changes. Non-infectious bud-failure (NBF) in cultivated almond (Prunus dulcis) is a commercially important age-related disorder that results in the failure of new vegetative buds to grow in the spring, with dieback of terminal shoots, witches-brooming of surviving buds, and deformed bark (roughbark). The incidence of NBF increases with clone age, including within individual long-lived trees as well as nursery propagation lineages. It is not associated with any infectious disease agents. Consequently, nursery practices emphasize the establishment of foundation-mother blocks utilizing propagation-wood selected from proven and well-monitored propagation-lineages. Commercial propagation utilizes axillary shoot buds through traditional budding or grafting. This study examines NBF development using basal epicormic buds from individual trees of advanced age as an alternative source of foundation stock. Results show the age-related progression of NBF is suppressed in these epicormic meristems, possibly owing to their unique origins and ontogeny. NBF development in commercial orchards propagated from foundation blocks established from these sources was similarly dramatically suppressed even over the 10- to 20-year expected commercial orchard-life. Foundation-stock stability can be further maintained through appropriate management of propagation source-trees, which requires accurate knowledge of meristem origin and development.

Modelling hatchability and mortality in muscovy ducks using automatic linear modelling and artificial neural network

This study was embarked upon to predict hatchability and mortality rate of Muscovy ducks in Nasarawa State, Nigeria. Data were obtained from a total of 119 duck farmers. The automatic linear modelling (ALM) and artificial neural network (ANN) models were employed. The average flock size was 9.84±0.60 per household. The predicted hatchability mean values using ALM (8.66) and ANN (8.65) were similar to the observed value (8.66). The predicted mortality mean values using ALM (2.95) and ANN (3.03) were also similar to the observed value of 2.95. Experience in duck rearing, the educational status of farmers, source of foundation stock and season were the variables of importance in the prediction of hatchability using ALM and ANN models. However, primary occupation, source of foundation stock, experience in duck rearing, land holding and management system were the important variables automatically selected for the prediction of mortality. Moderate coefficients of determination (R2 = 0.422 vs 0.376) and adjusted R2 (0.417 vs 0.371) estimates were obtained for hatchability and mortality using ALM. Different patterns were obtained under the ANN models as regards the prediction of hatchability (R2= 0.573 and adjusted R2= 0.569) and mortality (R2= 0.615 and adjusted R2= 0.612). The present information may aid management decisions towards better hatchability and mortality performance in Muscovy ducks.

Prevalence and Genetic Diversity of Grabloviruses in Free-Living Vitis spp.

The distribution and diversity of grapevine red blotch virus (GRBV) and wild Vitis virus 1 (WVV1) (genus Grablovirus; family Geminiviridae) were determined in free-living Vitis spp. in northern California and New York from 2013 to 2017. Grabloviruses were detected by polymerase chain reaction in 28% (57 of 203) of samples from California but in none of the 163 samples from New York. The incidence of GRBV in free-living vines was significantly higher in samples from California counties with high compared with low grape production (χ2 = 83.09; P < 0.001), and in samples near (<5 km) to compared with far (>5 km) from vineyards (χ2 = 57.58; P < 0.001). These results suggested a directional spread of GRBV inoculum predominantly from vineyards to free-living Vitis spp. WVV1 incidence was also significantly higher in areas with higher grape production acreage (χ2 = 16.02; P < 0.001). However, in contrast to GRBV, no differential distribution of WVV1 incidence was observed with regard to distance from vineyards (χ2 = 0.88; P = 0.3513). Two distinct phylogenetic clades were identified for both GRBV and WVV1 isolates from free-living Vitis spp., although the nucleotide sequence variability of the genomic diversity fragment was higher for WWV1 (94.3 to 99.8% sequence identity within clade 1 isolates and 90.1 to 100% within clade 2 isolates) than GRBV (98.3% between clade 1 isolates and 96.9 to 100% within clade 2 isolates). Additionally, evidence for intraspecific recombination events was found in WVV1 isolates and confirmed in GRBV isolates. The prevalence of grabloviruses in California free-living vines highlights the need for vigilance regarding potential grablovirus inoculum sources in order to protect new vineyard plantings and foundation stock vineyards in California.

Breeding goals and selection effort in the breeding of Lipizzan horses in the stud farm Vucijaka from 1946 to 2015

The Lipizzan horse belongs to the oldest European horse breeds. In the year 1946 the Bosnian Lipizzan state stud farm Vucijak, located next to the town Prnjavor, was founded. The foundation stock originated from the Croatian state stud farms Lipik and Djakovo, and from private owners in Croatia. The breeding goal of Vucijak was to obtain a Lipizzan horse of a smaller body frame suitable for driving and the use as pack horses. The aim of this study was to compare anatomical body measurements of the founder animals with measurements of actual breeding population. From in total 41 horses (10 stallions and 31 mares) following body measurements were taken: height at withers (measured by tape), circumference of chest and circumference of cannon bone forelimb. All horses was 4 years or older at the time of measuring. In order to compare the actual breeding population with the foundation population we extracted comparable data of 17 stallions and 36 mares from the stud book. On the basis of the morphological measures, compactness and bonines index were calculated. The results showed that today's Lipizzan horse of the Vucijak stud are smaller in height at whiters and circumference of chest, while the circumference of cannon bone is larger than documented for founders. The t-test showed a statistically significant difference in the height at whiters and circumference of cannon bone. On the basis of the obtained results, it can be concluded that today's Lipizzan from the Bosnian stud farm Vucijak have a smaller body frame, which confirmed selection success.