Zarai Digest, April-June 2020

SELECTION OF BREEDING STOCK FOR LIVESTOCK

IMPROVEMENT
Muhammad Ashraf1, Muhammad Khalid Bashir2 and Shahid-ur-Rehman3
UAF Sub campus Toba Tek Singh1 Directorate of Graduate Studies2, Institute of Animal & Dairy
Science3, University of Agriculture, Faisalabad

Selection is used as a tool for livestock 2- Level of performance

improvement. A breeding stock is a group of males Animals with highest production level
and females which act as parents of future selected and performance best indicated by
generations. Selection is the process of allowing records.
certain animals to be parents of future generations 3- Good performance of animal indicated
while culling others. Culling is the removal of by;
animals which do not perform to the desired level, High milk, wool and egg production, good
from the herd. The animals retained have certain mothering ability, high prepotency
desirable characteristics which make them produce (breeding value) which is the ability of a
more. parent to pass good qualities to their
Selected animals make up the breeding stock. offsprings. The animals with poor
The breeding stock should pass the good performance should be culled. Good
qualities to their off-springs for better performance, records kept and used by the farmer for this
to improve the livestock. Selection process repeated purpose.
for many generations increases chances of 4- Physical Fitness
formation of desirable qualities in an animal. Animals selected should be free from any
Genetically termed as gene frequency (occurrence physical defect e.g. single-eyed, limping,
of the genes that carry desirable characteristics). irregular number of teats, scrotal hernia,
Selection increases occurrence of desirable genes defective and weak backline
and decreases occurrence of undesirable genes. 5- Health
During selection, the characteristics to be selected Sick animals do not breed well and are
for are first studied closely to ascertain that it is not expensive to keep. Animals that are
influenced by the environment, but mainly by the resistant to diseases pass these
genetic make-up. Selection helps improve characteristics to their off-springs
characteristics which are highly heritable. 6- Body Conformation
Heritability means the likelihood of a particular trait Animals for breeding to be selected
to be transmitted to the offspring and they are according to proper body conformation. A
strongly inherited. A character like milk yield is dairy cow should be wedge-shaped with a
lowly heritable, i.e. it is weakly inherited and a large udder, thin legs, and long neck.
bigger percentage of the character is affected by the 7- Temperament or Behaviour
environment. Animals with bad behaviors should be
The degree to which selection affects a character culled. e.g Cannibalism, egg eating,
depends on the following factors; aggressiveness, kicking
The heritability of the character, The 8- Quality of products
intensity with which the selection is done and the Select animals that give products of high
interval between generations and kind of selection quality such as meat, wool, eggs, milk.
being practiced. 9- Mothering Ability
Factors To Consider When Selecting A Breeding Animals selected should have a good
Stock. mothering ability. That is animals with
1- Age good natural instinct towards their young
Young animals, those that have not ones. This will enable them to rear the
parturated for more than 3-times, should be young ones up to weaning.
selected. They have a longer productive 10- Adaptability
life, old animals are poor breeders and low Animals selected should be well adapted to
producers as the production and breeding the prevailing climatic condition in the area
efficiency decline with age. e.g Ardi and semi arid areas.

1
 Zarai Digest, April-June 2020

11- Prolificacy Mass selection- Animals with superior

Animals selected should be highly prolific. characteristics (highly heritable breeds) are selected
That is, animals with the ability to give from a herd and then allowed to mate among each
birth to many off-springs at a time. This is other at random. The off-springs will show higher
a quality that should be considered when performance than their parents. This is because
selecting sheep, goat and rabbits. The mass selection increases the occurrence of the
ancestry records assist to choose the desirable genes in a population.
prolific breeds for mating Progeny testing- is a offspring resulting from
SELECTION OF CATTLE, BUFFALO AND selected parents ( Family selection).In this method
SHEEP a group of progenies (off-springs) are used as an aid
Selection in cattle/buffalo to increase accuracy in the selection ofa breeding
Consider the level of Performance Which Include, stock. This is method is used when the character to
Milk Yield fat Content, lactation length, dry period, be selected is of low heritability and expressed by
services per conception, Calving Intervals. Age of one sex only. This method takes upto nine years for
the Animal, Fertility, physical Fitness, Health of the the results to be seen.
animal, Body Conformation and suitability of the Contemporary comparison refers to other heifers
enterprise-milk or beef in the herd sired by the same bull.
Selection in sheep This is a progeny tasting method which involves
Consider the level of performance which includes; comparison of average production of daughters
Mothering ability, Growth rate, Wool quality, (Heifers) of each bull with that of the other heifer
Carcass quality and prolificacy. Suitability to the referred to as contemporaries.
enterprise-wool or mutton, Flocking instinct Health In this method it is assumed that the differences
of the animal, Physical fitness, Inheritable defects, between the herds of the same breed are non-genetic
Fertility, Inheritable defects. in origin.
Selection in Goats Consider the following: Advantages:
Fertility, Mothering ability, Growth rate, Twining 1. It is possible to compare heifers of different
rate, Carcass quality/dressing percentage, Growth ages in different locations worldwide.
rate, Suitability to the enterprise - milk or mutton, 2. It eliminates difference brought about by
Health of the animal and Age. the environment.
Selection in Camels 3. it is possible to make direct comparison of
Health of the animal, Age, Temperament, Foraging candidate bulls at different artificial
ability, Fertility, Level of performance-milk, meat, insemination centres.
fur and transport. 4. It is accurate since we are using a large herd
METHODS OF SELECTION of animals.

ESTABLISHING ORNAMENTAL PLANT NURSERY

Dr. Adnan Younis, Dr. Fahid Ramzan, Dr. Ahsan Akram, Dr. Nasir Ahmad Khan
Institute of Horticultural Sciences, University of Agriculture, Faisalabad.

Introduction individual, government or community, training or

Quality of ornamental planting stock is one research, wholesale and retail nursery and the
of the key factors that determines the success of objective of the best nursery practices is to produce
ornamental plants business. The survival of plants, high quality seedlings of the desired species
growth performance length of rotation period and employing the most cost-effective, environment
volume and quality of plants are significantly friendly and socially acceptable technologies. One
affected by the quality of plant seedlings. of the major reasons of for the failure of the planting
Ornamental nursery is a place or establishment for developments is the use of inferior planting stocks
raising or handling of young plant species until they and shortage of quality planting materials. Thus, in
are ready for permanent planting. A good nursery order to produce large quantities of planting
employs the best nursery practices. materials, the establishment of proper ornamental
There are different types of nurseries nurseries is essential.
depending on type of business like: private or

2
 Zarai Digest, April-June 2020
This guideline discusses the simple  The nursery area should not expose to
procedures, tips for producing high quality floods and strong winds and must receive
seedlings and nursery management & practices. plenty of light.
Nursery site selection  Easy accessibility will ease out the
 Selection of an ornamental nursery site customers and visitors that will has positive
should be carried out with proper impact on sale and nursery business.
judgement and consideration, since several Power supply
important factors, such as the location of  A nursery site should be accessible to
the proposed site, soil, climatic factors, transmitted electricity supply because
topography, economic factors and water electric power is needed for Lighting and
supply, have a major effect on its overall the operation of nursery equipment,
success. The important factors and criteria including irrigation pumps, and so on.
in the selection of an ideal ornamental Water supply
nursery site are described below.  Ornamental plant nursery site should be
Topographical Aspects close to good quality water source. Canal
 The nursery should be located on level or water is recommended for most of plants if
gently sloping ground. However, ground available. Underground can also be used if
with a slight slope not exceeding 3% is quality of water is good. The water should
recommended for better surface drainage. be clean and free from pollutants and
 Areas with slopes greater than 3% should industrial wastes that might be detrimental
be avoided because of the possibility of soil to plant growth.
erosion and the difficulty faced in carrying  It is prerequisite to get water tested before
out ground maintenance. Such areas may applying to plants.
also sometimes cause undesirable Space and size
translocation of soluble fertilizers.  The nursery site should have ample space
 Furthermore, areas with high water table to accommodate all the nursery
and those prone to regular seasonal requirements.
flooding should also be avoided. However,  A regular four-sided site, preferably a
some short-term nurseries are established square, is desirable to minimize the length
on a terrain and terraces are prepared for of the boundary fence.
easy handling of the nursery operations.  An adequate area is also needed for future
Soil aspects expansion of the nursery.
 The nursery site should have fertile Labour
topsoil which is moderately well-drained  Even though many of the operations at the
and preferably sandy loam. Areas with nursery can continuously and effectively be
rocks and large stones are less desirable carried out using machines, manual
because such obstacles may impede workers nevertheless must be employed to
many operations associated with modern carry out specific jobs. The nursery should
nursery practices. not be far away from settlement areas
 The optimum soil pH value for most where workers are available.
ornamental plants is between 5.5-7.5. It is Telecommunications
therefore desirable that the soil at the  Telecommunication is necessary when
nursery should have a pH value within or operating a nursery. A telephone Line
close to this range. should be installed to allow for immediate
 The soil and vegetation at the nursery site communication. Internet facility will ease
should be closely examined to determine out the online selling of plants.
whether the site is free of insects, fungi and Design and Lay-Out
nematodes, or weeds that can damage or  A well-designed nursery should have
kill stock plants later. proper roads, fencing, office, potting and
Location and accessibility transplanting sheds, seed germination and
 Location and easy accessibility are also key growing areas, water supply,
success factor of any nursery. Nursery area telecommunications, water sprinkler
should be accessible to main road that will system etc.
accelerate the plants sale and transport to  Consideration should also be given to the
other cities. construction of storage facilities for nursery

3
 Zarai Digest, April-June 2020
equipment, tools, fertilizers, pesticides and  The size of the germination shed will
other materials depend on the number of seeds to be sown,
Nursery Structures seed size, sowing method, quality of the
 Lay-out of facilities should consider the seeds and sowing distance
chronological of activities in the nursery to  Seedbeds are generally 1.2 m wide and 5 m
ensure smooth flow of movements of long.
materials & personnel within the nursery.  The seed beds should be slightly elevated,
 Facilities could be modified depending on approximately 10-15 cm above ground
the objectives of the production, Level, and supported with wooden boards
serviceability of nurseries & financial or bricks.
factors  Whenever practicable, the sides of the beds
Construction of soil treatment facilities should be bordered wit treated wood
 Generally, nursery should have soil planks, adobe or stone to keep the soil from
treatment facilities and all the media must being washed away.
be sterilized prior to use to avoid later Construction of transplanting shed & beds
problems with soil borne seedling diseases.  After seedling transplanting from
 Sieving the soil to 5mm mesh to remove germination trays or seedbeds to individual
large particles. pots, it is advised to keep the seedlings in
Construction of potting shed the transplant shed.
 In potting shed, seedling pots are filled with  The transplant shed need to be covered for
potting substrates. protection of young transplanted seedlings
 A roofed potting shed is recommended to from scorching sunlight but at the same
prevent the potting substrates from getting time it must permit sufficient light for
wet and that may lead to waterlogging. optimum seedling’s growth.
 The floor must be flat, dry, and free of  Ideal bed size should be 1m to 1.5m wide,
weeds to avoid any sort of contamination. this will ease out the daily maintenance
There should be enough area allocated for nursery operations.
shed easy piling of the pots, container, and Construction of hardening area
stock of the potting substrates.  Prior to planting, seedlings must be sturdy
Construction of germination shed and hardened-off to tolerate adverse field
 The germination shed area should be close conditions.
to the potting shed area for ease of pots  This area should be shade free to offer the
transportation. seedlings full sunlight exposure.
 Preferably, germination shed should have a  This area should be raised from the ground
polyethylene covering to permit sufficient with good drainage.
sunlight to enter and protect the seeds from
rains and birds.
EQUIPMENTS & TOOLS
EQUIPMENT DESCRIPTION
1. Wheelbarrow for moving small loads of materials
2. Knapsack sprayer For spraying insecticide, fertilizer
3. Sterilization pan for pasteurizing the germination media
4. Mask, boots, rubber gloves Proper personal protective equipment
TOOLS
1. Shovel for mixing the potting media
2. Pruning shears/pruning knife for pruning long taproots that grow outside the seedling pot
3. Hand trowel/shovel, scoops Use for breaking clods, hole digging, for seedling planting and
weeding and hoeing, also for fertilizer mixing or other soil
amendments.
4. Screen sieve For sieving of potting media to make it fine.
5. Water hose/sprinkler For watering the seedling pots
6. Seed jar/seed sack For seed storage
7. Bolo For cleaning
8. Carpenter’s toolbox For repairing