Estimation of genetic parameters in the golden mahseer Tor putitora (Ham.)

Abstract

Genetic parameters for body weight and body length were estimated in the golden mahseer Tor putitora (Ham.) using data from 12 families produced in a nested breeding design and reared for 17 weeks. The average performance of the progeny from each family for growth at different time intervals was studied and comparison made with natural population. Significant differences were evident. The performance was superior in natural population. Dam 2 performed significantly better than others and the family from Dam 2 was superior in growth compared to the other families. The average performances of the families ranged from 21.11 ± 0.21 mm to 23.05 ± 0.18 mm for length and 154.55 ± 3.82 mg to 167.33 ± 0.93 mg for weight at 17 weeks. The heritability for length estimated from the sire component of variance ranged from 0.06 ± 0.06 at week 1 and 0.33 ± 0.20 at week 17; and from 0.57 ± 0.42 at week 1 and 0.71 ± 0.51 at week 17 based on dam component of variance. The maternal effects reduced after 9 weeks. The estimates of heritability for length were found to be higher than those for body weight. The genetic correlations between the traits were high indicating a strong relationship. The estimates of phenotypic correlations varied between 0.48 ± 0.06 to 0.25 ± 0.09 from 11 to 17 weeks.