干旱区生态环境知识资源中心

The effect of drought on wool production was studied in 12 ewes and 5 rams each of Chokla and Nali breeds. They were maintained under free range conditions of arid region from spring season of 1986 to spring season of 1989. Water was provided once ad lib. throughout the study. During the most severe drought period in summer 1987 all these sheep were provided with three loppings of Prosopis cineraria. In autumn 1987 each animal was provided with 150 g of supplementary feed to keep them alive. In all 6 shearing records of this flock were analysed. Nali rams and ewes produced higher greasy fleece than their counterparts of Chokla breed. The effect of period and season on greasy-fleece yield in both the breeds was highly significant. Due to highest cumulative effect of drought, the production of greasy fleece was lowest during spring 1988 in both the breeds. However, this reduction in yield was slightly higher in Nali than in Chokla, and in rams than in ewes.