Diallel cross of three Moroccan breeds of sheep: I. Lamb growth and carcass traits

A diallel cross involving three Moroccan breeds of sheep (D'man, Beni Guil, and Sardi) was conducted for two successive years at the Gharb Experiment Station in Morocco. Significant effects associated with breed of sire and breed of dam for live and carcass weights are consistent with differences in mature body size of the three breeds involved. Carcasses of lambs by Sardi sires or out of Sardi dams were the heaviest and those by D'man sires or out of D'man dams were the lightest. Lambs by D'man sires reached the prescribed stage of maturity for slaughter at a younger age than did lambs of Beni Guil sires, and lambs out of Beni Guil dams were younger at slaughter than lambs out of Sardi dams. Because of its genetic potential for high growth rate and carcass weight, the Sardi breed could be used in breeding programs to enhance meat production from sheep in Morocco. With the large and desirable maternal effects expressed by the Beni Guil breed on growth traits and carcass weight per 100 d of age, it could also be used in Morocco as a breed of dam.