PERFORMANCE OF PASHMINA (CASHMERE) GOATS ON KUMAON HIMALAYAS

Records (2682) on cashmere (pashmina) production traits of different b reed groups and parity on pashmina goats maintained at lower altitude on the Himalayas spread over 19 years (starting 1977) were analyzed. M ean fibre yield, length and diameter and heritabilities (SE) were 127. 5+/-10.0 g, 5.6+/-0.1 cm, 13.2+/-0.1 mu m and 0.36+/-0.06, 0.19+/-0.05 , 0.08+/-0.03 respectively. Effect of sire, breed, parity and year of collection were highly significant (P<0.01) for most of the fibre trai ts. Regressions of fibre traits an birth weight and inbreeding coeffic ients were nonsignificant. Genetic and phenotypic correlations among f ibre traits were low. Average inbreeding coefficient (Fx) in the herd was 6.23% ranging from 0.4 to 26.6%. Estimated inbreeding depression r anged from 0.8 (length of fibre) to 6.3% (survivability) per 10% incre ase in Fx.