RESEARCH ON COLOR SHADES TRANSMISSION IN GRAY LINE FROM KARAKUL OF BOTOŞANI

Abstract

In 2015-2022 period, on a representative flock of lambs, the data related to color shades transmission within Gray Line belonging to Karakul of Botoșani breed were processed. The biological material studied belongs to SCDCOC Popăuți and is registered in the Genealogical Register of Karakul of Botoșani breed, making it the object of improving productive performance. For each generation of lambs analyzed, the mode of color transmission and the proportion of shades obtained as a result of mating between parents belonging to the Gray Line were evaluated. Within the line, the color shades encountered are extremely varied, the most valuable being the silver one. One of the main objectives of the breeding the Karakul of Botoşani refers to the genetic diversification and strengthening of the specific curl colors. In accordance with this objective, at the end of the studied period, there is an increase in the number of individuals with a silver shade within the Gray Line, from 0.52% in 2016, to 18.47% in 2021 and respectively to 14, 82% in 2022. Although applied breeding is based on homogenous pairings, in the obtained lambs it is found that lambs that have a shade similar to that of the parents do not have the most numerous proportions, usually being in positions two or three. The diversity of shades within Gray Line, to which is added the small size of the population, but also the fact that it was recently homologated, makes the breeding activity to take place slowly, the expected results being more difficult to quantify in each generation of lambs.