Genetic divergence in various Sahiwal x Holstein crossbred grades

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Abstract
The degree of genetic divergence using Mahalanobis's D2 statistic and the clustering pattern using canonical variate analysis between Sahiwal and its 39 Friesian grades were studied for 9 characters of economic importance. The records were adjusted for the significant effects due to farms, periods and seasons. Forty grades were grouped into 11 clusters. The results have shown that in cattle when two breeds of diverse origin, one of superior merit and the other relatively inferior, are crossed in a scheme of forward crossing, there is no linear increase in production level above 50% with the increase in genes of the superior parent. It can not be assumed that grading up to a total replacement of genes will lead to higher levels of production at least in cattle. In order to stabilize a breed type from such a crossbred population a breeding plan has been proposed.

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