GENETIC-STUDIES ON MATURITY TRAITS IN SURTI BUFFALOS

Data on 288 farm-born Surti buffaloes sired by 32 bulls under progeny testing programme were utilised to study the maturity traits. The aver age ages at maturity, first conception and first calving were 1072+/-1 2, 133+/-17 and 1638+/-17 days and the corresponding body weights were 269+/-5, 314+/-4 and 369+/-5 kg respectively. The age at maturity had high heritability estimate (0.88+/-0.27) and other traits had medium heritability values. Age at maturity had moderately high and positive genetic correlations with weight at maturity and age at first calving.