Regression equation for selected growth traits prediction in Nigerian Indigenous Cattle (NIC) Genotype

Abstract

A total of 18 cattle (between 60 – 72 weeks of age) comprising three genotypes (white Fulani, N’dama and white Fulani x N’dama) were used for the experiment. Growth traits measured in centimeters were body length (BDL), hip height (HHT), heart girth (HG), horn length (HL), tail length (TL), ear length (EL) and neck length (NL). The regression analysis was simple linear regression. The values of coefficient of determination (R²) ranged from 50.00 to 94.20 in White Fulani (WF), with BL and HG having the highest R² .This implies that BL and HG could be the best predictors of growth in WF. The values of R² ranged from 36.00 to 66.00% in N’dama (ND) cattle with HHT having the highest R2 (66.00%). R² ranged from 80.00 to 90.00% White Fulani x N’dama genotype with TL having the highest R² value of 90.00%. This implies that TL could be the best predictors of growth in WF x ND genotype. Amongst all, BL and HG of White Fulani genotype had highest R² value (94.20%). Thus BL and HG could be best trait with 94.20% accuracy of prediction, and may be useful criterion in prediction of growth.

Keywords: Cattle; Genotypes; Growth traits; Prediction