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Trends in Applied Sciences Research

Year: 2012 | Volume: 7 | Issue: 3 | Page No.: 231-239
DOI: 10.17311/tasr.2012.231.239
Indigenous Kids’ Growth and the Effects of non Genetic Factors in Pastoral Husbandry in Tunisian Arid Zone
Sghaier Najari, Amor Gaddour and Mouldi Abdennebi

Abstract: To identify the impacts of some environmental factors upon kids’ weights at some standard ages, a data set carried out on 722 kids in growth during four years was analyzed. A Gompertz model was applied to estimate kids' weights at standard ages: birth day, 10, 30, 60, 90, 120, 150 and 180 days. A GLM procedure and a means comparison test (SNK, α = 0.05) were applied to identify the statistical effects of some factors and their homogenous classes at several ages. The determination coefficient R2 remains lower than 87% of all studied traits due to the observed data structure. All traits seem to be affected (p<0.001 or 0.05) by the factors related to the restrictions and the irregularities of the technical and natural environment of pastoral husbandry. The non-genetic factors impact increases with kids’ age and requirements. Growth traits varied depending to the natural and technical factors which illustrates the local population genetic response towards environmental resources in arid zone. The year and zone factors play an important role upon the kid’s weight and it evolution till 6 months age due to the large interannual variation of rainfall. Also the technical level of the herder seems affecting highly the kids performances. So, arid environment affects both quantitatively and qualitatively individual kid’s growing behaviour and have to be considered for local goat rational genetic improvement modelling and planning.

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How to cite this article
Sghaier Najari, Amor Gaddour and Mouldi Abdennebi, 2012. Indigenous Kids’ Growth and the Effects of non Genetic Factors in Pastoral Husbandry in Tunisian Arid Zone. Trends in Applied Sciences Research, 7: 231-239.

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