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Assam Agricultural University, Jorhat
Assam Agricultural University is the first institution of its kind in the whole of North-Eastern Region of India. The main goal of this institution is to produce globally competitive human resources in farm sectorand to carry out research in both conventional and frontier areas for production optimization as well as to disseminate the generated technologies as public good for benefitting the food growers/produces and traders involved in the sector while emphasizing on sustainability, equity and overall food security at household level.
Genesis of AAU -
The embryo of the agricultural research in the state of Assam was formed as early as 1897 with the establishment of the Upper Shillong Experimental Farm (now in Meghalaya) just after about a decade of creation of the agricultural department in 1882. However, the seeds of agricultural research in today’s Assam were sown in the dawn of the twentieth century with the establishment of two Rice Experimental Stations, one at Karimganj in Barak valley in 1913 and the other at Titabor in Brahmaputra valley in 1923. Subsequent to these research stations, a number of research stations were established to conduct research on important crops, more specifically, jute, pulses, oilseeds etc. The Assam Agricultural University was established on April 1, 1969 under The Assam Agricultural University Act, 1968’ with the mandate of imparting farm education, conduct research in agriculture and allied sciences and to effectively disseminate technologies so generated. Before establishment of the University, there were altogether 17 research schemes/projects in the state under the Department of Agriculture. By July 1973, all the research projects and 10 experimental farms were transferred by the Government of Assam to the AAU which already inherited the College of Agriculture and its farm at Barbheta, Jorhat and College of Veterinary Sciences at Khanapara, Guwahati.
Subsequently, College of Community Science at Jorhat (1969), College of Fisheries at Raha (1988), Biswanath College of Agriculture at Biswanath Chariali (1988) and Lakhimpur College of Veterinary Science at Joyhing, North Lakhimpur (1988) were established. Presently, the University has three more colleges under its jurisdiction, viz., Sarat Chandra Singha College of Agriculture, Chapar, College of Horticulture, Nalbari & College of Sericulture, Titabar. Similarly, few more regional research stations at Shillongani, Diphu, Gossaigaon, Lakhimpur; and commodity research stations at Kahikuchi, Buralikson, Tinsukia, Kharua, Burnihat and Mandira were added to generate location and crop specific agricultural production packages.
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ThesisItem Open Access CHARACTERIZATION OF GHUMUSARI AND RAIGHAR GOATS OF ODISHA(College of Veterinary Science, Assam Agricultural University, Khanapara, Guwahati, 2019-07) PANIGRAHI, SUBHASHREE; DAS, BULAThe present study was conducted to characterize two indigenous goat population of Odisha viz. the Ghumusari and the Raighar. Data were collected through field survey from the breeding tracts of these two varieties. Objectives of the investigation were to study some of the important morphometric traits, certain important traits of growth and reproduction and polymorphism of IGF1 gene. Records were obtained from 859 animals for coat colour, 216 animals for ear length and horn measurements, 375 animals for body measurements and growth traits and 272 animals for reproductive traits in Ghumusari goat. For Raighar goat, the corresponding number of animals for these traits were 667, 314, 394 and 338. Polymorphism of IGF1 gene was investigated on 50 animals from each of these two goat populations of Odisha. Coat colour was found to be predominantly black (66.13 per cent) in Ghumusari and deep brown (74.52 per cent) in Raighar. The overall least-squares means for ear length, horn length, horn circumference at base, space between two horns at base and the space between two horns at tip were 12.570±0.06, 5.111±0.03, 6.584±0.03, 4.598±0.03 and 9.778±0.03 cm respectively in Ghumusari. In Raighar goat, the respective values for these traits were 13.004±0.02, 5.243±0.02, 6.337±0.02, 2.986±0.02 and 10.440±0.03 cm. The LSM for body length at birth, 3, 6, 9 and 12 months of age were 27.069±0.10, 40.755±0.09, 46.282±0.11, 51.084±0.13 and 54.842±0.15 cm respectively in Ghumusari. The corresponding values for these traits were found to be 26.027±0.10, 45.545±0.13, 50.066±0.12, 53.852±0.15 and 55.887±0.14 cm in Raighar. Location had significant effect on body length at 9 months, season of birth at 12 months, and parity at 6 months of age in Raighar goat. Body length was significantly higher in males than in females at birth, 3 and 6 months of age in Ghumusari, and at 3 and 9 months of age in Raighar. Among the birth types, singlets had significantly higher body length at 3 months in Ghumusari, and at 6, 9 and 12 months of age in Raighar. The overall LSM for height at withers at birth, 3, 6, 9 and 12 months of age were 27.648±0.12, 42.048±0.09, 47.929±0.14, 52.380±0.15 and 54.678± 0.18 cm respectively in Ghumusari; and 27.591±0.13, 46.548±0.12, 52.882±0.15, 53.628±0.14 and 54.858±0.19 cm respectively in Raighar. Significant effect of parity at birth, sex at 3, 6, 9 months and type of birth at all the age groups was observed in both the populations. Raighar goat of Nuapada district showed significantly higher height at withers at birth, 6 and 9 months of age compared to those of Kalahandi and Nabarangpur districts. The overall LSM for heart girth at birth, 3, 6, 9 and 12 months of age were 25.346±0.09, 41.606±0.09, 47.701±0.15, 51.397±0.15 and 54.105±0.17 cm respectively in Ghumusari. The respective values were found to be 26.713±0.12, 46.273±0.17, 51.061±0.15, 54.612±0.15 and 58.540±0.16 cm in Raighar. Location (district) exhibited significant effect on heart girth at 6 and 9 months in Ghumusari and at 6 months of age in Raighar. Significant effect of parity at birth and birth type was found in Raighar goat at 3 months of age. The overall LSM for paunch girth at birth, 3, 6, 9 and 12 months of age were 26.866±0.09, 44.747±0.14, 49.333±0.16, 55.748±0.17 and 57.105±0.17cm respectively in Ghumusari. In Raighar goat, the corresponding values were found to be 28.101±0.09, 52.097±0.16, 53.791±0.16, 58.457±0.17 and 59.938±0.15 cm. The effect of parity and birth type at 3 months and sex at 10 birth, 3, 12 months of age were observed in Ghumusari. Location influenced paunch girth significantly at 3 months, birth type at 12 months and sex at 12 months of age in Raighar goat. The overall LSM for body weight at birth, 3, 6, 9 and 12 months were found to be 1.294±0.02, 6.376±0.04, 11.491±0.06, 14.597±0.06 and 16.630±0.09 kg respectively in Ghumusari goat, the respective values being 1.485±0.02, 6.432±0.04, 11.520±0.06, 14.739±0.06 and 16.668±0.09 kg in Raighar goat. In Ghumusari goat, with regard to body weight at all the ages, location and season of kidding showed non-significant effect. Parity at 3 months, sex and birth type at all the ages exerted significant effect on this trait. In Raighar goat, significant effect of location and sex at 3, 6, 9, 12 months of age; parity and birth type at all the ages; and season of kidding at 12 months of age for this trait was noted. The overall LSM for age at sexual maturity, weight at sexual maturity, age at first kidding, weight at first kidding, kid size at birth, kidding interval, gestation period and service period in Ghumusari were found to be 204.52±1.02 days, 11.64±0.05 kg, 375.49±1.18 days, 16.68±0.06 kg, 1.51 ± 0.03, 241.79±1.72 days, 148.09±0.13 days and 93.78±1.71 days respectively. For Raighar goat, these values were respectively 292.32±1.07 days, 14.63±0.05 kg, 456.66±1.22 days, 17.01±0.06 kg, 1.45 ± 0.03, 234.15±1.61 days, 147.67 ± 0.12 days and 86.65±1.60 days. In Ghumusari goat, kid size at birth was significantly affected by season of kidding. Parity had significant influence on age at sexual maturity, weight at sexual maturity, age at first kidding, weight at first kidding and kid size at birth. In Raighar goat, location had significant effect on age at sexual maturity, kidding interval and service period. Season of kidding exerted significant effect on age at sexual maturity, weight at sexual maturity, age at first kidding, weight at first kidding, kid size at birth, gestation period, and parity on weight at sexual maturity, kid size at birth, kidding interval and service period in this goat variety. The PCR-RFLP analysis was used to identify the variants in IGF1 gene based on the variants produced by digestion of 505 bp amplified product with HaeIII restriction enzyme. On restriction digestion, the 505 bp amplicon produced 4 fragments of 333, 234, 172 and 99 bp. The PCR-RFLP studies on IGF1 gene in both Ghumusari and Raighar goats of Odisha using HaeIII restriction enzyme revealed three banding patterns, arbitrarily designated as AA, AB and BB genotypes. Out of these, AA genotype yielded two fragments ( 333, 172 bp ), AB genotype yielded four fragments ( 333, 234, 172, 99 bp ), and BB genotype yielded three fragments ( 234, 172, 99 bp ). In Ghumusari goats, the frequencies of AA, AB and BB genotypes were 0.28, 0.32 and 0.4 respectively, and the frequencies of ‘A’ and ‘B’ alleles were 0.44 and 0.56 respectively. In Raighar goat, the frequencies of AA, AB and BB genotypes were 0.1, 0.5 and 0.4 respectively, and the frequencies of ‘A’ and ‘B’ alleles were 0.35 and 0.65 respectively. In the present study, the results showed polymorphic banding patterns in both the goat populations with respect to IGF1 gene. Chi-Square (χ2) test revealed that the population under study was in Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium. HaeIII restriction site was detected at 171th position of a total 505 bp by partial sequencing. The sequence alignment of the samples detected an SNP at 405th position with nucleotide transversion from G to C. Based on the uniformity in their productive and reproductive performances both the population are potent to be recognized as breed.ThesisItem Open Access STUDIES ON BODY CONFORMATION, PERFORMANCE AND EXPRESSION OF CERTAIN GENES RELATED TO PROLIFICACY IN SIROHI GOATS UNDER FARM CONDITION IN ASSAM(Assam Agricultural University, Khanapara,Guwahati, 2017-07) SARMAH, SANGEETA; Das, ArpanaThe present study was conducted for performance evaluation of certain traits of growth and reproduction in Sirohi goats as well as to study the expression profile of GDF 9 gene related to prolificacy in Sirohi and Assam Hill goats. Data on 250 Sirohi goats for the study of growth and morphometric traits and 310 Sirohi goats for the study of reproductive traits maintained at the Sheep and Goat Breeding Farm, Silonijan, Karbi Anglong , Assam were utilized for the study. The least square means for body weight, body length, heart girth and height at wither were 2.500±0.012 kg, 25.060±0.135 cm, 25.988±0.172 cm and 25.846±0.181cm at birth; 5.607±0.041kg, 41.442±0.232 cm, 45.378±0.391cm, 41.750±0.248 cm at 3 month; 11.734±0.107 kg, 50.527±0.220 cm, 55.390±0.368 cm and 51.915±0.290 cm at 6 month; 16.778±0.177 kg, 60.864±0.212 cm, 62.978±0.323 cm and 62.173±0.272 cm in 9 month; 22.864±0.196 kg, 71.107±0.217 cm, 71.613±0.227 cm and 71.851±0.239 cm at 12 month of age respectively. Parity and period of birth exerted significant (P<0.01) effect on body length, heart girth and height at wither 12 month of age. Season of birth had significant effect (P<0.01) on body weight, body length, heart girth and height at wither. Body weight, body length and heart girth also differed significantly (P<0.01) due to kidding type and single born kids had higher values than the twins. Significant effect of sex was observed on body weight, body length, heart girth and height at wither at all age groups. The male goats were superior to the females in respect of all these traits. The least square means for age at first kidding, gestation period, service period and interkidding period pertaining to first parity were 701.710±2.267 days, 148.895±0.321 days, 195.545 ±1.513 days and 343.898±1.584 days, respectively. The overall mean for gestation period, service period and interkidding period pertaining to all parities were 147.800±0.429 days, 188.553±1.201 days and 336.662±1.102 days, respectively. Period of kidding exerted significant effect on age at first kidding, service period and interkidding period. Kidding order also exerted significant effect on service period and interkidding period and lowest values were obtained in 5th parity. The growth pattern of Sirohi goats from birth to one year of age was found to be little slower from birth to 3 month, faster from 3 to 6 month, again slower from 6 to 9 month and then accelerated from 9 to 12 month of age. Linear and multiple regression equations were developed for prediction of 1 year body weight from the body weight at birth, 3, 6 and 9 month of age and observed that prediction of 1 year body weight could be done from the body weight at earlier ages. The phenotypic correlations among the body weight at different ages were found to be high and positive. Expression of GDF9 gene in Sirohi and Assam Hill goat did not differ significantly as revealed by paired t-test.ThesisItem Open Access TYPE CHARACTERIZATION OF INDIGENOUS CATTLE (BOS INDICUS) OF ARUNACHAL PRADESH(Assam Agricultural University, Khanapara,Guwahati, 2017-07) KAKKI, MARPI; Zaman, G.U.A total of 404 animals for body measurement, 810 lactation records for performance traits, 71 birth weight records and 140 milk samples for estimation of milk constituents from indigenous cattle of Arunachal Pradesh were utilized in the present study. The data obtained were classified according to location, age group, lactation order, sex and stage of lactation. The least-squares means for head length, eye to eye space, breadth of forehead, neck length, neck circumference, horn length, horn circumference at base, horn circumference at middle, horn circumference at tip, distance between two horns at base, distance between two horns at middle, distance between two horns at tip, ear length, body length, height at withers, heart girth, pouch girth, length of arm, elbow length, fore shank length, thigh length, hind shank length, length of pes, length of tail, length of switch, length of udder, width of udder, depth of udder, teat length and teat diameter were 32.269 ± 0.112, 12.749 ± 0.048, 13.239 ± 0.040, 27.718 ± 0.085, 56.551 ± 0.237, 10.348 ± 0.087, 10.517 ± 0.035, 7.898 ± 0.037, 3.715 ± 0.020, 12.615 ± 0.038, 16.854 ± 0.044, 17.419 ± 0.046, 16.975 ± 0.032, 98.475 ± 0.155, 97.123 ± 0.153, 117.582 ± 0.241, 122.462 ± 0.243, 24.448 ± 0.048, 25.599 ± 0.043, 24.970 ± 0.041, 26.426 ± 0.052, 27.598 ± 0.054, 29.206 ± 0.061, 50.498 ± 0.160, 26.628 ± 0.072, 30.940 ± 0.105, 21.506 ± 0.069, 9.923 ± 0.037, 4.459 ± 0.024 and 2.762 ± 0.025cm respectively. Age, sex and location had significant effect on various measurements under head and neck, body, legs, feet and tail and udder. The most predominant horn orientation was curved upward (37.30 per cent) with black (55.14 per cent) and grey (44.86 per cent) horn colours and horizontal type of ear orientation. Among the 8 (eight) types of coat colours recorded, brown (30.69 per cent) was predominant, while common colours of muzzle, hoof and switch were black with a frequency of 73.76 per cent, 73.02 per cent and 65.59 per cent respectively. The least-squares means for age at first calving, lactation milk yield, lactation length, peak yield, days to attain peak yield, dry period, gestation period, inter calving period and birth weight of indigenous cattle of Arunachal Pradesh were found to be 44.553 ± 0.138 months, 296.710 ± 0.803 kg, 239.513 ± 0.483 days, 1.820 ± 0.005 kg, 35.974 ± 0.076 days, 209.957 ± 0.742 days, 272.557 ± 0.073 days, 447.085 ± 0.702 days and 14.554 ± 0.103 kg respectively. Location had significant effect on all the productive and reproductive traits except peak yield, days to attain peak yield, dry period and gestation period whereas the effect of lactation order was non-significant for gestation period. Farmers followed semi-intensive type of management system. The least-squares means for fat, solids-not-fat, protein and total solids per cent of milk in indigenous cows of Arunachal Pradesh were 5.895 ± 0.032 per cent, 8.582 ± 0.027 per cent, 2.790 ± 0.017 per cent and 14.483 ± 0.048 per cent respectively. Location and lactation order showed non-significant effect on all the milk constituents viz., fat, solids-not-fat, protein and total solids percentage however, stage of lactation showed significant effect on fat and total solids percentage.ThesisItem Open Access STUDIES ON BODY CONFORMATION, FIBRE CHARACTERISTICS AND POLYMORPHISM OF KAP 8.2 GENE IN NAGALAND LONG HAIRED GOAT(Assam Agricultural University, Khanapara, Guwahati, 2016-07) SHEETAL, J. C. K; Aziz, AbdulThe present work was undertaken to study body conformation, body weight and important fibre characteristics as well as to identify polymorphism in genomic sequences of KAP 8.2 gene and its association with fibre traits on Nagaland Long Haired Goat of Nagaland. A total of 75 animals of both sex constituted the material of the study for body conformation, body weight and fibre characteristics, whereas polymorphism of KAP 8.2 gene were studied on 25 animals. The pooled averages for length of horn, distance between horns at base, distance between horns at middle, distance between horns at tip, circumference of horn at base, circumference of horn at middle, and circumference of horn at tip were 11.165 ± 0.036, 2.827 ± 0.046, 5.818 ± 0.049, 8.818 ± 0.049, 8.996 ± 0.119, 6.096 ± 0.029, 2.423 ± 0.020 cm respectively in age group G4. The corresponding value for the above traits were 11. 933 ± 0.078, 3.203 ± 0.035, 6.203 ± 0.035, 9.203 ± 0.179, 9.161 ± 0.063, 6.332 ± 0.048, 3.433 ± 0.188 cm respectively in age group G5. The pooled averages for length of head, breadth of head and eye to eye space were 13.766 ± 0.179, 6.742 ± 0.040 and 6.525 ± 0.049 cm respectively in G1; 14.225 ± 0.029, 6.921 ± 0.040, 6.604 ± 0.038 cm respectively in G2; 14.404 ± 0.029, 7.167 ± 0.027 and 7.035 ± 0.134 cm respectively in G3; 14.798 ± 0.031, 7.398 ± 0.028 and 7.766 ± 0.219 cm respectively in G4; 15.280 ± 0.330, 7.611 ± 0.025 and 8.445 ± 0.116 cm respectively in G5. The pooled averages for length of body, height at withers and heart girth were 35.675 ± 0.146, 32.850 ± 0.367 and 36.515 ± 0.170 cm respectively in G1; 38.312 ± 0.205, 36.401 ± 0.241 and 38.066 0.639 cm respectively in G2; 41.363 ± 0.148, 40.446 ± 0.375 and 42.072 ± 0.211 cm respectively in G3; 44.385 ± 0.197, 42.721 ± 0.357 and 46.305 ± 0.265 cm respectively in G4; 47.531 ± 0.406, 44.626 ± 0.308 and 48.450 ± 0.347 cm respectively in G5. The pooled averages for tail length and body weight were 10.208 ± 0.126 cm and 3.625 ± 0.167 kg respectively in G1; 10.941 ± 0.277 cm and 4.683 ± 6.328 kg respectively in G2; 11.424 ± 0.150 cm and 8.211 ± 0.127 kg respectively in G3; 12.161 ± 0.117 cm and 12.369 ± 0.303 kg respectively in G4; 12.991 ± 0.085 cm and 13.812 ± 0.119 kg respectively in G5. The pooled averages for fibre length and fibre diameter were 4.117 ± 0.054 cm and 0.087 ± 0.049 g respectively in G1; 5.242 ± 0.042 cm and 0.099 ± 0.047 g respectively in G2; 5.943 ± 0.095 cm and 0.147 ± 0.028 g respectively in G3; 9.367 ± 0.180 cm and 0.228 ± 0.084 g respectively in G4; 13.245 ± 0.526 cm and 0.228 ± 0.084 g respectively in G5. Genetic variations of KAP 8.2 gene studied on 25 animals (11 male and 14 female) revealed polymorphism. The goats with AB genotype had significantly thicker fibre diameter as compared to those with AA genotype.ThesisItem Open Access PERFORMANCE EVALUATION AND IDENTIFICATION OF POLYMORPHISM OF GENES AFFECTING GROWTH AND REPRODUCTION IN ASSAM HILL GOAT(2017-01) SARMA, LOOPAMUDRA; Nahardeka, NabaThe present work was conducted to evaluate the performance in respect of growth and reproductive traits as well as identification of polymorphism of FecB, POU1F1 and BMP4 gene and their association with growth and reproductive traits of Assam Hill goat. Data on 960 animals for growth and morphometric traits, 324 animals for reproductive traits and 80 animals for molecular genetic analysis belonging to 3 populations of Assam Hill goat maintained at three field units viz., Batabari, Nahira and Tetelia were utilized. The least-squares means for body weight, height at withers, heart girth and body length were 1.166 ± 0.008 kg, 26.198 ± 0.070 cm, 26.695 ± 0.096 cm and 29.482 ± 0.119 cm at birth; 4.590 ± 0.083 kg, 36.850 ± 0.105 cm, 40.741 ± 0.115 cm and 39.703 ± 0.108 cm at 3 months; 7.557 ± 0.049 kg, 41.231 ± 0.121 cm, 44.621 ± 0.115 cm and 50.778 ± 0.172 cm at 6 months; 9.934 ± 0.044 kg, 43.902 ± 0.120 cm, 48.890 ± 0.099 cm and 55.552 ± 0.170 cm at 9 months, and 12.549 ± 0.046 kg, 46.791 ± 0.112 cm, 52.765 ± 0.090 cm and 58.392 ± 0.207 cm at 12 months of age, respectively. Location had significant effect on body weight and height at withers at all age groups; on heart girth at 3, 6, 9 and 12 months, and on body length at birth, 3, 6 and 12 months of age. Season of birth exerted significant effect on body weight at 9 and 12 months; on height at withers at 12 months and on body length at birth, 6, 9 and 12 months of age. Significant effect of sex was observed on body weight at 9 and 12 months, on height at withers at 6, 9, and 12 months, and on heart girth and body length at 3, 9 and 12 months of age. The least-squares means for kid size at birth, kid size at weaning, age at first kidding and gestation period (pertaining to first parity) were 1.142 ± 0.035, 1.140 ± 0.034, 410.147 ± 4.046 days and 147.135 ± 0.376 days, respectively, and for kid size at birth, kid size at weaning, gestation period, service period and kidding interval (pertaining to all parities) were 1.370 ± 0.030, 1.345 ± 0.030, 147.961 ± 0.246 days, 73.773 ± 2.111 days and 221.592 ± 2.134 days, respectively. Location and parity exerted significant effect on kid size at birth, kid size at weaning, service period and kidding interval, and season of kidding exerted significant effect on service period and kidding interval. The heritability estimates for body weight and body measurements were moderate, whereas; heritability estimates for reproductive traits were low. The phenotypic and genetic correlation among body weights and body measurements at birth, 3, 6, 9 and 12 months of age were positive in direction and high in magnitude. Positive and high phenotypic and genetic correlation were observed between kid size at birth and kid size at weaning, and service period and kidding interval. The phenotypic correlations between other reproductive traits were either low or suffered from high standard errors. All reproductive traits under study exhibited low genetic correlations except between kid size at birth and age at first kidding. PCR-RFLP analysis of FecB, POU1F1 and BMP4 gene revealed monomorphic banding pattern. In sequencing, no restriction site was found for AvaII in FecB gene, four restriction sites were found for DdeI in POU1F1 gene and one restriction site for HaeIII in BMP4 gene. In case of BMP4 gene, an SNP was observed at position 159 (A→T) in goats with history of multiple births. This finding reveals that the animals with a history of single birth have A nucleotide instead of T as observed in animals with history of multiple births.ThesisItem Open Access PHENOTYPIC AND GENETIC CHARACTERIZATION OF INDIGENOUS PIGS OF MEGHALAYA (NIANG MEGHA) AND ASSAM (DOOM)(Assam Agricultural University, Khanapara, Guwahati, 2013-07) KHARGHARIA, GAUTAM; Zaman, Galib UzCharacterization of indigenous livestock population is of utmost importance for their conservation and genetic improvement for sustainable utilization in future. The present study was carried out on phenotypic and genetic characterization of indigenous pigs of Meghalaya (Niang Megha) and Assam (Doom). A total of 99 farrowing records of Niang Megha pigs maintained at the Livestock Farm, Livestock Production Division, ICAR Research Complex for NEH Region, Umiam, Meghalaya and 40 farrowing records of Doom pigs maintained under the GOI sponsored project on “Conservation of Doom pig”, Livestock Research Station, AAU, Mandira, Kamrup, Assam were utilized for the present investigation. Genetic characterization of indigenous pigs of Meghalaya and Assam was carried out utilizing 14 microsatellite markers. The averages for litter size at birth, litter size at weaning, litter weight at birth, litter weight at weaning, age at first estrus, age at first fertile service, age at first farrowing, farrowing interval and gestation period were 6.080 ± 0.219, 5.202 ± 0.190, 3.172 ± 0.107 kg, 30.614 ± 1.199 kg, 221.173 ± 1.527 days, 246.440 ± 1.385 days, 347.813 ± 3.516 days, 206.121 ± 0.785 days and 111.848 ± 0.136 days respectively in Niang Megha and 6.250 ± 0.237, 5.025 ± 0.210, 3.475 ± 0.114 kg, 30.289 ± 1.184 kg, 225.600 ± 1.494 days, 250.567 ± 1.481 days, 368.000 ± 1.537 days, 213.533 ± 0.396 days and 112.044 ± 0.295 days respectively in Doom pigs. The averages for body weight at birth, weaning, 3 months, 6 months, 8 months and 12 months of age were found to be 0.520 ± 0.003 kg, 5.967 ± 0.039 kg, 10.299 ± 0.056 kg, 21.585 ± 1.263 kg, 30.633 ± 0.163 kg and 39.350 ± 0.178 kg respectively in Niang Megha and 0.556 ± 0.003 kg, 5.944 ± 0.412 kg, 10.738 ± 0.087 kg, 24.241 ± 0.251 kg, 42.925 ± 0.852 kg and 49.879 ± 0.911 kg respectively in Doom pigs. The average body length, height at wither, heart girth and neck girth respectively at birth, at weaning and at adult age in Niang Megha was recorded as 17.256 ± 0.062 cm, 11.293 ± 0.053 cm, 18.107 ± 0.050 cm, 14.450 ± 0.077 cm; 34.498 ± 0.116 cm, 23.969 ± 0.103 cm, 33.127 ± 0.080 cm, 28.124 ± 0.049 cm and 58.505 ± 0.341 cm, 45.636 ± 0.423 cm, 62.150 ± 0.268 cm, 52.411 ± 0.323 cm and in Doom pigs as 17.620 ± 0.070 cm, 12.224 ± 0.064 cm, 21.705 ± 0.152 cm, 15.175 ± 0.092 cm; 35.318 ± 0.067 cm, 25.767 ± 0.108 cm, 35.982 ± 0.170 cm, 31.542 ± 0.182 cm and 74.647 ± 0.561 cm, 58.115 ± 0.329 cm, 78.322 ± 0.654 cm and 64.705 ± 0.345 cm. The coat colour pattern of Niang Megha pig revealed that 26.582 per cent animals were solid black and 73.418 per cent were black with white patches on forehead and legs. The coat colour of Doom pig was observed to be black in all the animals studied. Significantly (P<0.05) lower averages were found in Niang Megha pigs as compared to Doom pigs in respect of age at first estrus, age at first fertile service, age at first farrowing and farrowing interval. The body weights of Doom pigs at all the ages except at weaning were found to be significantly (P<0.05) higher compared to Niang Megha. The conformation traits studied viz. body length, height at wither, heart girth and neck girth were significantly (P<0.05) higher in Doom pigs as compared to Niang Megha at birth, weaning and at adult age. A total of 14 microsatellite markers recommended by FAO/ISAG were employed to understand the genetic characteristics and the genetic relationships of the two pig populations. The results indicated that all the loci were polymorphic and highly informative. The observed number of alleles ranged from 5 (SW911) to 9 (S0026) in Niang Megha and from 7 (S0155, S0002 and SW911) to 11 (S0005) in Doom pigs with a total of 143 alleles in the two populations studied. The average number of alleles per locus was 6.857 ± 0.294 in Niang Megha and 8.571 ± 0.343 in Doom pigs with an average value of 7.714 ± 0.276. The average effective number of alleles was 4.504 ± 0.266 in Niang Megha and 5.316 ± 0.228 in Doom pigs. The Shannon information index was 1.757 ± 0.038, indicating high genetic diversity. The observed and expected heterozygosity were 0.667 ± 0.043 and 0.767 ± 0.015 respectively for Niang Megha pigs. The observed heterozygosity was lower in Doom pigs (0.657 ± 0.049) as compared to Niang Megha. The polymorphic information content (PIC) was found to be 0.734 ± 0.017 in Niang Megha and 0.785 ± 0.010 in Doom pigs. Genetic difference between the two populations was low with an average FST value of 0.050, which showed that the average proportion of genetic variation explained by population differences was 5 %. The FIS ranged between -0.132 (S0026) and 0.492 (S0225) in Niang Megha with an average of 0.132 ± 0.052 and between -0.117 (S0101) and 0.669 (SW911) in Doom pigs with an average of 0.188 ± 0.058. When the agreement with Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium (HWE) was tested, 9 and 7 out of 14 loci showed significant deviations from HWE in Niang Megha and Doom pigs respectively. Deviations from HWE are linked to a high positive FIS value. Non significant heterozygote excess on the basis of infinite allele model (IAM), two phase model of mutation (TPM) and stepwise mutation model (SMM) as revealed by sign test, standardized differences and Wilcoxon sign rank tests, along with a normal L - shaped distribution of mode shift test indicated no recent bottleneck in both the populations. Genetic distance between the two pig populations was 0.424, which showed that the two populations are distinct from each other. The microsatellite markers used in the present investigation proved to be useful for genetic characterization studies of the pig populations and the present study contributed to the knowledge on phenotypic and genetic characterization of the pig populations of North East India.
