Phenotypic characterization of Nguni goats in four agro-ecological zones of Limpopo province, South Africa

The study was conducted to phenotypically characterize Nguni goats from four agro-ecological zones of Limpopo province, South Africa. A total of 426 goats were sampled from four agro-ecological zones. The quantitative traits that were studied for phenotypic characterization using Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) were heart girth (HG), body length (BL), withers height (WH), sternum height (SH), rump height (RH), rump length (RL), rump width (RW), cannon circumference (CC), testicular length (TL) and scrotal circumference (SC) while qualitative traits were coat colour pattern and type, back profile, ear orientation, presence of horn, horn shape and orientation. The study further looked at the structural indices of the goats. The findings indicated that the agro-ecological zones significantly affected (P<0.05) the quantitative traits of Nguni goats. Female goats from arid zone had higher (P<0.05) BW, HG, BL, WH, RH, and CC with mean values of 35.76±0.92, 73.89±0.63, 66.26±0.62, 63.40±0.56, 64.71±0.44 and 8.07±0.06, respectively as compared to the other zones. Male goats from arid zone had higher (P<0.05) BW, HG, BL, RW, TL and SC with mean values of 37.20±2.29, 78.75±1.44, 70.95±1.57, 16.83±0.38, 15.50±0.50 and 31.00±0.00, respectively as compared to other zones. In terms of qualitative traits, the goats were characterized by higher proportion of patchy coat colour pattern (62.7%), brown dominant colour type (42.6%), straight back profile (46.6%), and semi-pendulous ear orientation (65.4%). The goats had horns (100%), curved horn shape (71.6%) and backward horn orientation (89.4%). Though the agro-ecological zone had non-significant influence (P>0.05) on the qualitative traits. Findings of structural indices on dactyl-thoracic, transversal pelvic, longitudinal pelvic and proportionality indicated that the Nguni goats can be matched as light medium meat type. In conclusion, the variation in morphometric traits of Nguni goats and knowing their structural and functional indices can assist in their conservation and genetic improvement. There was no difference in the qualitative traits of the goats in four agro-ecological zones. Studies needed to be conducted on genetic characterization using genetic markers to integrate the information from morphological traits.