Indian J. Anim. Res., 51 (6) 2017 : 988-992 Print ISSN:0367-6722 / Online ISSN:0976-0555
AGRICULTURAL RESEARCH COMMUNICATION CENTRE
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Characterization of Gangatiri cattle breed in Gangatic plains of Eastern Uttar Pradesh, India Basant Kumar Bhinchhar, Vinod Kumar Paswan*, Saroj, Satya Prakash Yadav and Prity Singh Department of Animal Husbandry and Dairying, Institute of Agricultural Sciences, Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi-221 005, Uttar Pradesh, India. Received: 19-01-2016 Accepted: 11-06-2016
DOI: 10.18805/ijar.11328
ABSTRACT The present research work for characterization of Gangatiri cattle was conducted on a herd maintained at Mirzapur district of Uttar Pardesh. This dual-purpose indigenous cattle breed is found mainly in Varanasi, Chandauli, Ghazipur and Ballia district of eastern Utter Pradesh and adjacent areas of Bihar state of India. Medium size muzzle, medium lustrous eyes was characteristics of the herd. Medium sized dewlap, small brisket, sharp and smooth shoulder with medium legs was present in most of the animals. Medium sized bowl shaped udder with cylindrical shaped medium sized teats and prominent, crooked and branched milk veins were the other characteristic features of the herd. The overall least squares’ means for Ischium width of Rump (ISWR), Top line (TPL), Udder length (UL), Udder diameter (UD), Teat length (TtL), Udder circumference (UC), Distance between fore to fore (DFF) and rear to rear teats (DRR) were 20.79±0.57, 144.64±1.67, 26.17±1.21, 11.03±1.40, 5.33±0.31, 68.84±3.89, 6.03±0.50 and 4.93±0.21 cm, respectively. Key words: Dual purpose breed, Gangatiri Breed, Indigenous cattle germplasm, Shahabadi cattle. INTRODUCTION India has emerged as single largest milk producing country in the world with a share of about 17 percent in world. It produced 146.3 million tonnes of milk in 2014-15 as compared to 137.7 million tonnes during 2013-14 recording a growth of 6.26 % (DAHDF, 2016). Buffalo was the largest contributor to the milk pool with about 70.44 million tonnes followed by cows with 62.19 million and goats with 5.04 million tonnes during 2013-14 (Basic Animal Husbandry & Fisheries Statistics 2015). In India, buffalo, cow and goat contributed 51.15%, 45.16.% and 3.66% of the total milk output in 2013-14, respectively, while the share of buffaloes in the total milk production remained almost unchanged (Basic Animal Husbandry & Fisheries Statistics 2015). Since 1991-92, however, there has been a significant rise in the share of crossbred cows from 14.2 (1991-92) to 22.9% (2009-10). Despite this transformation, growth in milk production of all the species decelerated from 11.3 (1990s) to 7.7% (2000s) in case of crossbred cows, from 2.5 to 2.2 % in case of indigenous cows and 6.2 to 3.6 % in case of buffaloes. In addition to 34 recognized breeds of cattle, various cattle populations exist in India, which have not yet been properly documented. Characterization of all such cattle populations is important to provide overall picture of cattle genetic diversity. Change in production system, mechanization, loss of rangeland grazing resources, inappropriate breeding policies, their implementation and indiscriminate introduction of exotic breeds are resulting in the disappearance of uncharacterized local populations of *Corresponding author’s e-mail:
[email protected].
cattle, along with the unique gene and gene combinations. Characterization is usually based on common physical characteristics such as colour, size and shape and also on shared genetic and historical origins. Phenotypic characteristics, including adaptive characteristics, are important in identifying breed attributes in ways that are relevant to the immediate farming community needs and utility. Linear measurements have also been used to assess type and function in dairy cattle, sheep and goats and the animal’s value as potential breeding stock (Alderson, 1999). FAO has formulated breed descriptor list by which a breed is being characterized globally. Priority elements in this descriptor are general identification, population size, physical characteristics, measurement of adult size and weight, current uses, predominant management system and biological performance. Gangatiri cattle are also known as Eastern Haryana or Shahabadi. The breed closely resemble to Haryana breed of cattle (Om Prakash et al., 2008, Fig. 1 and 2). The breed has better tolerance to drought and heat and is more resistance to common diseases as compared to crossbred animals. The profitability of dairy enterprise depends not only on milk production but also several reproductive traits viz. age at sexual maturity, age at first calving, calving interval, service period, conception rate etc. The Gangatiri cattle – a dual purpose cattle breed (Fig. 3 and 4) - are mainly found around river Ganga in eastern Uttar Pradesh in Chandauli,Ghazipur and Ballia districts and adjacent Bhabhua (Kaimoor), Buxar, Arrah and
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Fig 1: Gangatiri cow
Fig 2: Gangatiri bull
Fig 3 and 4: Draught utility of Gangatiri cattle-Load pulling (left); agricultural operations (right).
Chhapra areas of Bihar state. The breeding tract of this breed includes mainly Ballia and Ghazipur districts of Uttar Pradesh and Rohtas and Shahabad districts of Bihar. Population of Gangatiri cattle in Uttar Pradesh is 364.81 thousand out of this population, Mirjapur district is having highest population with 23.11 thousand cattle and 13.15 thousand Gangatiri cattle are found in Varanasi district as per the report of Uttar Pradesh State Biodiversity Board (2015). Two decades earlier, typical animals of this breed were available in their native tract in optimum number to constitute viable breeding populations. But, at present, all of these populations need immediate attention, failing which our ancestral efforts of artificial selection, operative since time immemorial, may go in vain and there may be a nonrepairable loss of environment as well as eco-friendly genes from the national and world gene pool. For formulating any conservation plan, information about genetic diversity is a pre-requisite. Thus, present study was undertaken to characterize Gangatiri cattle population for its phenotypic and morphometric traits. MATERIALS AND METHODS Source of animals: Present study was conducted on Gangatiri - an indigenous cattle breed maintained at Surbhi Shodh Sansthan (Geeta Goshala), Dagmagpur, Mirzapur
(Uttar Pradesh). Cows were selected from local villages and maintained at this farm. History of the herd: Surbhi Shodh Sansthan (Geeta Goshala) was started in year 1999 with 30 Gangatiri cows. Cows were selected from local villages and maintained at this farm. At present 164 Gangatiri cattle are present at this farm. Location and climatic conditions: The farm is located at an altitude of 80 M above the mean sea level, at latitude of 255’36" North and at longitude of 8247’55" East. The place falls in Mirjapur district adjoining to river Ganga. Generally it has semi-arid climatic conditions. Body measurements: For the present investigation, the data on various aspects were collected by taking measurements of various characters of the cattle of Gangatiri herd maintained at the Surbhi Shodh Sansthan (Geeta Goshala), Dagmagpur, Mirzapur. Morphological traits were recorded in centimetre with the help of measuring tape and were classified according to age group of the animal. Details of the observations containing physical and morphological traits were recorded in the prescribed format of National Bureau of Animal Genetics Resources (NBAGR, Karnal) for evaluation of breed of Cattle and Buffalo under field
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conditions was modified as per need of the study in the context of Eastern Uttar Pradesh. For the analysis of the obtained biometry data, animals were divided into two groups based upon their age on the date of measurement, which are as follows: Group 1: Animals between 1 year to 3 years of age Group 2: Adult cows (more than 3 years of age) The definitions of various body measurements studied are given below: 1. Ischium width of the Rump (ISWR): Measured between the two tips of the Ischium (pinbones) 2. Ilium width of the rump (ILWR): Measured between the two tips of the Ilium (hipbones) 3. Top line (TPL): It is the total length of the animal from the front of the poll to the back of the rump 4. Udder: a) Length (UL): Distance between the rear and fore attachment of udder along the median line passing between the two halves of the udder (between left and right teats). b) Width (UW): Distance between two lateral lines of attachment of the udder to the abdominal wall, under the flank along the median line passing between front and rear teats. c) Depth (UD): By taking difference between the i. Distance from ground floor to the base of the udder ii. Distance from ground to the lowest point of the udder at the place of attachment of teats. d) Circumference (UC) : By keeping a cloth tape around the base of udder 5. Teat: a) Length (Ttl): Distance between bases of the teat to the tip of the teat. b) Distance between teats: Distance between teats at the midpoint of teat length DFF : Distance between fore to fore teat DRR : Distance between rear-to-rear teats. DLL : Left lateral distance between teat DRL : Right lateral distance between teats Statistical analysis: Special morphological and behavioural traits were given a separate score and frequencies of each score type as found prevalent in the population were recorded and studied. Statistical analysis of body measurements data was carried out by using fixed Least Squares Model LSML package (Harvey, 1990). Product moment correlations were carried out as per Snedecor and Cochran (1989). RESULTS AND DISCUSSION Physical characters: Dewlap was small in 82.60 % of animals whereas medium and large type of dewlap was present in 13.04 and 4.34 % of the animals, respectively. In 85.50 % of the animals, brisket was of small size and it was of medium size in remaining 14.50 % of the animals. Shoulder was sharp and smooth type in 76.81 % of the
animals whereas rough, coarse heavy and shallow, loosely attached, coarse and loosely attached winged type of shoulder was present in 14.49, 1.44, 1.44 and 5.79 % of the animals, respectively. Size of legs was medium in 78.29 % of the animals whereas it was of small and large size in 11.59 and 10.14 % of the animals, respectively. Around 30.43 % of the animals had curved legs whereas 69.56 % animals had straight legs. Space between legs was wide in 82.60 % of the animals whereas 17.39 % of the animals had narrow space between legs. In majority (84.05 %) of the animals, legs were firmly and squarely placed under body whereas in 15.94 % of the animals it was looses and squarely placed. Back was straight in 86.95 % of the animals whereas it was curved in remaining 13.04 % of the animals. Flat and well sprung ribs were found in majority (82.60 %) of the animals. Only 17.39 % of the animals had round & narrow spaced ribs. Naval flap was either absent or rudimentary in 7.24 % of the animals (mainly females). Small naval flap was present in 78.26 % of animal which comprised mainly females. Medium type naval flap was present in 14.49 % of animals which were mainly females and the findings were strongly supported by the reports of Singh et al. (2007). Loin was broad and strong in 85.50 % of the animals whereas it was narrow and weak in remaining 14.49 % of the animals. Almost (88.40 %) of the animals had flat type of loin and remaining 11.60 % animals had shallow type of loin. Flat (46.37 %) and sloping (47.82 %) type of rump was present in almost equal in proportion in the animals. Roofy type of rump was present in only 5.79 % of the animals. Broad and prominent hip bone was found in 84.05 % of the animals whereas narrow and round hip bone was present in remaining 15.94 % of the animals. Pin bone was wide, smooth and level in 81.15 % of the animals whereas 13.04 % of animals had narrow and pinched type. It was dropping type in remaining 5.79 % of the animals. Thighs of 89.85 % of the animals were found to be flat whereas it was round in 10.14 % of the animals. Space between thighs was wide in 63.76 % of the animals whereas 36.23 % of the animals had narrow space between the thighs. Tail of the animals was mainly of medium size and it was present in 59.42 % of the animals, it was long in 24.63 % and short in 15.94 % of the animals. Straight and level top line was present in 71.01 % of the animals while in 18.84 and 10.14 % of the animals it was weak -irregular and arched type, respectively. Four type of udder shapes (trough, bowl, round and pendulous) were present in the population. Trough, round, bowl and pendulous type of udder shapes were present in 1.44, 17.39, 78.26 and 2.89% of the animals, respectively. Medium size front udder was present in 88.40 % of the animals whereas it was of small and medium size in 7.24
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Volume 51 Issue 6 (December 2017) and 4.34% of the animals, respectively. Rear udder was of medium size in 86.95 % of the animals whereas it was of small and large size in 8.69 and 4.34% of the animals, respectively. Present findings were very similar to the result of Deoni cattle (Kuralkar et al., 2014). In more than half of the (52.17 %) animals, milk vein were of medium size and in 46.37 and 1.44 % of the animals, it was small and large sized, respectively. Milk vein were prominent, crooked and branched type in 65.21 % of animals whereas it was less prominent but crooked and branched in remaining of 34.78 % of the animals. However, milk veins were not prominent and udder was small in Bachaur cattle (Chandran et al., 2014). Shape of the teats was cylindrical in 89.85 % of the animals whereas funnel and pear type of teats were present in 7.24 and 2.89 % of the animals, respectively. Medium size teats were present in 81.15 % of the population and it was of small and large size in 10.14 and 8.69% of the population, respectively, and the findings are similar to Singh et al., 2007. Round type of teat tips were found in 89.85 % of animals whereas pointed and flap type of teat tip were present in 7.24 and 2.89 % of the animals, respectively. Teats were squarely placed in 79.71 % of the animals whereas it was broken type in remaining 20.28 % of animals. Body measurements: The overall least squares’ means for ISWR, ILWR, TPL, TL and HL were 20.79±0.57,
35.65±0.96, 144.64±1.67, 79.88±1.31 and 0.91±0.70, respectively. In group 1 and 2 animals, ISWR was found to be 25.27±0.32 and 13.93±0.36 cm, respectively. Group 2 animals had lower value of ISWR than the group 1 animals. The ILWR was found to be 43.37±0.45 and 23.82±0.58 cm for group 1 and 2 animals, respectively (Table 1). The TPL differed significantly (P
