Phenotypic Characteristics of Shahi Strain of Nagpuri Buffaloes in Chandrapur District of Maharashtra, India

: Phenotypic Characterization of Shahi Strain of Nagpuri Buffaloes was done in the Chandrapur District of Maharashtra, India. Two hundred and forty Shahi strain of Nagpuri female buffaloes of various age groups were observed in their home tract (n farms=24). It was found that black coat colour, black coloured muzzle, white patches on the legs, whitish eyes, white coloured tail switch, horizontal ear orientation, sword-shaped horns with pointed tip first turning backwards and then upwards, bowl-shaped udder are typical characteristics of this breed. The average live body weight, body length, chest girth, height at withers, head length, breadth of head of these buffaloes is (means ± standard deviation) 433 ± 8.4 kg, 137.08 ± 2.78 cm 180.81 ± 3.84 cm, 129.43 ± 2.26 cm, 54.18 ± 1.10 cm, 28.18 ± 0.34 cm in 3 years and above age group, respectively. The average daily milk yield and milk yield per lactation of Shahi strain of Nagpuri buffaloes were observed to be 4.06 ± 0.08 kg and 1,220.84 ± 41.57 kg, respectively.


INTRODUCTION
India has the highest number of buffalo breeds in the world [1]. In India there are 13 descript recognized buffalo breeds and non-descript buffalo breeds in the country which have regional importance and add to the economic value of the farming community (http:/www.nbagr.res.in/rejbuf.html) Nagpuri is one of them. This breed is also known as Berari breed of buffaloes, recognized as early as 1938 [2]. It belongs to Vidarbha region of Maharashtra state in India. It is a light but strong and hardy dual-purpose breed of buffaloes which is adapted to hilly and forest areas of the tropical climate. There are five distinct strains of Nagpuri buffaloes spread over five districts of Vidarbha region of Maharashtra state in India viz. Purnathadi (having home tract along the banks of Purna river in Akola district ), Ellichpuri (having home tract in Achalpur Tehsil of Amravati district ), Gaolao or Guali (having home tract in Wardha district ), Nagpuri (having home tract in Nagpur district) and Shahi (having home tract in Chandrapur district). [3] and [4] also recognized different strains of Nagpuri buffaloes differing in colour and body characteristics. But due to indiscriminate breeding, their genetic potential is jeopardized. Large herds of these non-descript buffalo breeds are found in Deccan plains [5] can serve as a guide for proper identification of the breed and help in planning for improvement in growth, reproductive and productive performance. There are very few reports on these aspects. Therefore, the present investigation was undertaken during the year 2013 to study the habitat, phenotypic appearance, breed characteristics, biometric measurements and productive performance of Shahi strain of Nagpuri buffaloes in Ballarsha and Chimur tehsils of Chandrapur district of Maharashtra, India (18.40 to 20.50 North latitude and 78.50 to 80.60 East longitude).

MATERIALS AND METHODS
For a collection of primary data, a questionnaire was specifically developed. It was pretested and subsequently used for the survey. The data pertaining to the biometric measurements were collected personally by taking direct observations from 240 Shahi strain of Nagpuri female buffaloes of various age groups in their home tract (n farms=24). The data were categorized into various age groups viz. Group A (up to 1 year age; n=6), Group B (age ranging between 1 to 2 years; n=6), Group C (age ranging between 2 to 3 years; n=6) and Group D (age 3 years and above; n=6). The data were tabulated and analysed by standard statistical techniques and chi-square test [6].

Coat Colour
It was observed that, out of 240 Shahi subjects, the majority (88.75 %) exhibited a black coat colour and the remaining had brown coat colour. Similarly, [7] and [8] reported that the percentage of Nagpuri buffaloes having black coat colour were 91.50 and 92.50 %, respectively. [9] also reported that 92 % of the Ellichpuri strain of Nagpuri buffaloes had a black coat. Further, [5] observed that 80-90 % of the Ellichpuri strain of Nagpuri buffaloes had black coat colour. The chi-square value was 144.15 indicating that there is a variation in coat colour between various age groups and black coat is a typical characteristic of this breed.

Muzzle Colour
The majority (76.25 %) of subjects had a black muzzle, [7] and [8] also obtained similar results. [9] also reported that 65 % of Ellichpuri strain of Nagpuri buffaloes had a black coloured muzzle, whereas, [10] reported that 70 % of the Gaolao strain of Nagpuri buffaloes had a black muzzle. The chi-square value was 66.15 indicating that there is a variation in colour of muzzle between various age groups and the black muzzle is a typical characteristic of this breed.

Colour of the Patch on Legs
Most of the subjects (82.08 %) had a white patch on their legs and 5.83 % had a brown patch on their legs, whereas the remaining (12. 08 %) had no patch on their legs. Similar results were obtained by [10 and [11] ].

Colour of the Eye
The colour of eyes of the majority (56.66 % ) of the animals was whitish, whereas 33.75 and 9.58 % had black and brown eyes, respectively. Similarly, [10] reported that 56.80 % Gaolao strain of Nagpuri buffaloes had whitish eye colour. [5] also observed that 56.60 % of Nagpuri buffaloes had whitish eyes. The chi-square value was 79.82 showing that there is a variation of eyes colour between various age groups and whitish eyes is a typical characteristic of this breed.

Colour of the Switch of Tail
The colour of switch of the tail of the majority of the animals (58.75 %) was white, whereas 33.75 and 7.5 % had a black and brown switch of the tail, respectively. Similarly, [10] reported that 60.40 % Gaolao strain of Nagpuri buffaloes had a whitish coloured tail switch. [8] and [9] also reported that 55 per cent of Ellichpuri strain of Nagpuri buffaloes had a white coloured tail switch. But [12] reported a higher percentage (75.80) of Ellichpuri strain of Nagpuri buffaloes had a white coloured tail switch. The chisquare value was 94.57 indicating that there is a variation in colour of tail switch between various age groups and white coloured tail switch is a typical characteristic of this breed.

The Orientation of Ears
It was observed that 74.50 % of subjects had horizontal ear orientation, whereas the remaining had drooping ears. Similarly, [10] reported that the orientation of ears in 76 % of Gaolao strain of Nagpuri buffaloes was horizontal. The percentage of Ellichpuri strain of Nagpuri buffaloes having horizontal ear orientation reported by [5] was somewhat higher (80.40 %) and the percentage of Bhadawari buffaloes having horizontal ear orientation reported by [13] was lower (59.00 %). The chi-square value was 58.02 indicating that there is a variation in ear orientation between various age groups and horizontal ear orientation is a typical characteristic of this breed.

The Shape of Horns
The majority (76.25 %) of animals had swordshaped horns with a pointed tip and 18.33 % buffaloes had sickle-shaped horns. Similar results were obtained by [10] in Gaolao strain of Nagpuri buffaloes. But [5] reported a higher percentage (87.20) of Ellichpuri strain of Nagpuri buffaloes with sword-shaped horns. [14] and [15] also obtained similar results in Nagpuri buffaloes.

The Orientation of Horns
The horns of the majority of subjects (81.66 %) were first turning backwards and then upwards. Similar results were obtained by [5] in Gaolao strain of Nagpuri buffaloes, whereas in Ellichpuri strain 87.20 % of subjects had a sword-like the orientation of horns [5].

The Shape of Udder
The percentage of Shahi strain of Nagpuri buffaloes which had bowl-shaped udder was 71.66 % followed by round-shaped udder (15 %) and goat type udder (13.34 %). [13] reported bowl-shaped udder in 74 % of Bhadawari buffaloes. In Pandharpuri buffaloes [16] reported that 38 % had trough-shaped udder, whereas in Gaolao strain the percentage was 52.6 [10]. The chisquare value was 39.7 indicating that there is a variation in the shape of udder between various age groups and bowl-shaped udder is a typical characteristic of this breed.

Live Body Weight
It was observed that the average live body weight (LBW) of Shahi strain of Nagpuri buffaloes was 433 ±

Body Length
The body length 3 years and above age group was 137.08 ± 2.78 cm. This result is comparable with [5], who reported in Gaolao strain a lower body length (131.42 ± 0.83 cm), whereas [18] found in Marathwadi buffaloes a lower body length (133.38 ± 0.31 cm). However [9], reported in Guali strain a higher body length (205.83 ± 2.15 cm).

Chest Girth
The chest girth of 3 years and above age group was 180.81 ± 3.84 cm. This is in close agreement with [5], who observed that the chest girth in Ellichpuri strain was 184 .56 ± 0.27 cm. Besides, these results are in close agreement with [18], who reported in Marathwadi buffaloes a chest girth of 182.95 ± 0.70 cm. However, [19] reported in Nagpuri buffaloes a higher chest girth (218.4 cm).

Height at Withers
The average height at withers of 3 years and above age group was 129.43 ± 2.26 cm in. This is in close agreement with [5], who reported that the height at withers of Gaolao strain was 127.43 ± 0.42 cm. Similar results were obtained in Nagpuri buffaloes by [20], who reported that the height at withers was 127.8 cm

Head Length
The average head length of 3 years and above age group was 54.18 ± 1.10 cm in. The results of the present study are in close agreement with [5], who reported that the head length of Ellichpuri strain was 53.08 cm, whereas [7] reported in Nagpuri buffaloes a lower (51.51 cm) head length. However, [10] reported in Gaolao strain higher head length (57.67 ± 0.68 cm).

Breadth of Head
The average head length of 3 years and above age group was 28.18 ± 0.34 cm. [11] observed in Gaolao strain a lower head breadth (20.80 ± 1.03 cm).

Average Daily Milk Yield
The average daily milk yield of Shahi strain of Nagpuri buffaloes was observed to be 4.06 ± 0.08 kg. This result is in close agreement with [5], who reported that the average daily milk yield of Ellichpuri strain of Nagpuri buffaloes was 4.08 ± 0.05 kg. However [10], observed in Gaolao strain a comparatively less average daily milk yield (3.82 ± 0.092 kg). [1] reported in Bhadawari buffaloes a higher average daily milk yield (6.96 kg).

Milk Yield Per Lactation
The milk yield per lactation was 1,220.84 ± 41.57 kg. This result is similar to that observed by [10] in Gaolao strain (1,212 .84 ± 17.33). However, in Ellichpuri strain a lower milk yield per lactation (1,181.61± 13.90 kg) was found by [5], whereas [21] observed in Nagpuri buffaloes a lower milk yield per lactation (1,023.19 kg). [1] reported that the milk yield per lactation of Bhadawari buffaloes was 1,250.5 kg.

CONCLUSIONS
The breed characterization of Shahi strain of Nagpuri buffaloes can serve as a guide for proper identification of the breed and help in conservation and planning for improvement in growth, reproductive and productive performance. If modern, scientific feeding and management practices are adopted then this breed can perform even better and prove to be a promising breed for Vidarbha region of Maharashtra state in India.