ISSN 2756-3286
African Journal of Crop Science ISSN: 2375-1231 Vol. 11 (3), pp. 001-003, March, 2023. © International Scholars Journals
Full Length Research Paper
A phenotypic study of growth traits in indigenous Nguni cattle of Zimbabwe
N. Assan
Matopos Research Station, Bag K 5137, Bulawayo, Zimbabwe. E-mail: [email protected].
Accepted 10 October, 2022
Abstract
Data from 2438 indigenous Nguni calves born at Matopos Research Station representing a total of 526 dams and 56 sires were used to evaluate the phenotypic variability and correlations of growth traits. Traits analyzed were weights at birth (BWT) (, weaning (WWT), yearling (YWT) and eighteen. A multivariate statistical model was used to analyze the data using SAS (1985 ). Sex and year of birth were highly significant (p<0.01) on all growth traits. Males were significantly heavier than females for all growth traits. The correlation of BWT with WWT, YWT and 18MO were positive, medium and significant. WWT was highly correlated with post weaning growth traits (YWT and 18MO). The estimates of phenotypic correlations were positive showing no antagonism among the growth traits.
Key words: Growth Traits, Correlation, Indigenous Nguni cattle, Zimbabwe.