Assessment of the quality of wool from different sheep breeds of Pakistan

The present study was conducted in Pakistan to determine the wool characteristics of important sheep breeds and Rambouillet crossbreds in the country. In total, 4733 wool samples from 22 sheep breeds, and three crossbreds were analyzed. The clean wool yield was maximum (P < 0.05) in case of Kail, Pahari, Kairi, and Chitrali while lowest (P < 0.01) in case of Harnai, Khadali, Sipli and Manghali. The maximum (P < 0.05) fiber dimeter noted was 37.7µm in Lohi and Kajli, while the lowest (P < 0.001) fiber diameter noted was 20.1µm in Rambouillet. The second lowest (P < 0.001) fiber diameter was 23.0 and 23.7µm in Kairi and Chitrali breeds, respectively. The lowest (P ≤ 0.01) medullation noted in local breeds was 5.9%, in case of Kairi. The highest (P < 0.001) medullation was found to be 60.9% in Manghali breed. The shortest (P < 0.01) staple noted was 2.71cm in Pahari, while the longest (P < 0.001) staple was found to be 14.1cm in Harnai breed. Comparison of crossbreds with Rambouillet rams indicated that two consecutive crosses with Rambouillet were necessary to bring the wool quality of Kaghani sheep at par with Rambouillet. Present results highlighted Kairi and Chitrali breeds to have lesser bulk than Rambouillet. The values of fiber diameter of these two breeds, and medullation in wool from Kairi were closer to Rambouillet, making these a preferred target for further research on fine wool in the country.