Some Important Production Traits of Central Anatolian Merino Sheep and possibilities of improving through selection of these traits II. Phenotypic and Genetic Parameters and Selection Index

The heritability values estimated by paternal half - sib correlation method were 0.18, 0.09, 0.15, 0.21 and 0.19 for birth weight, 45^th, 75^th, 105^th and 180^th day weights, respectively, and those for body weight after shearing and greasy wool production of hoggets were 0.42 and 0.25. Positive genetic correlation coefficients were found that lamb birth weight and lamb weight at different ages ranged from 0.11 to 0.64. Positive genetic correlation coefficients between hogget body weights after shearing and lamb weight at different ages were found ranging from 0.10 to 0.48 and greasy wool production ranging from 0.13 to 0.31. Genetic correlation coefficient between hogget body weights after shearing and greasy wool production was 0.65 (P<0.01). The selection index constructed using by weaning weight of lambs at 105 days (X₁ ) and greasy wool production of hoggets (X₂ ) was as follows: I = 0.212 X₁ + 0.079 X₂ . The estimated correlation coefficient between selection, index and aggregate breeding value was 0.45. The results of the study showed that there was no antogonism to genetic improvements through selection between production traits, and they were in the desired direction. Keywords : Sheep, heritability, genetic correlation, phenotypic correlation, selection index