Fleece production and wool quality characteristics of Coimbatore sheep.

摘要

Coimbatore sheep, a wool breed from Tamil Nadu, produces coarse carpet wool suitable for making rough blankets (kamblis). A study conducted in the native environment revealed that the least-squares mean of annual greasy fleece weight was 403.6+or-12.2 g and values for males and females were 466.1+or-19.6 and 341.1+or-10.1 g, respectively. The mean scouring and clean wool yields were 89.78+or-0.74 and 81.38+or-1.05%, respectively. The average staple length of annual fleece was 5.50+or-0.18 cm and staple crimp (No. 1 cm) was 0.2+or-0.02. The least-squares means of fibre diameter and inedullation percentage were 45.8+or-2.2 micron and 48.76+or-2.85. The influence of non-genetic factors on fleece yield and wool quality was also observed. Subjective analyses revealed that fleece colour was predominantly pale yellow (48.1%) and less lustrous. Canary colouration was present only in 18.5% of wool samples. The feel was mostly soft and the appearance was coarse.