Genetic and Non-Genetic Factors Influencing Fiber Quality of Second Generation Crossbreeds (ArkharMerino×Ghezel and ArkharMerino×Moghani)

In order to evaluate fleece characteristics, wool samples of 180 yearling fleece weight were collected from Arkharmerinos × Ghezel and Arkharmerinos × Moghani cross breed lambs. Samples were taken during a period of three years (2002-2004). The following traits were considered: fiber diameter, fiber diameter variability, staple length, kemp percentage and medulla percentage. The average amount for these fleece characteristics in F2th Arkharmerinos × Ghezel were 26.333.41 , 34.649.36%, 10.153.99cm, 2.012.65% and 3.395.85% and for Arkharmerinos × Moghani were 26.993.7, 36.5214.5%, 10.092.92cm 2.854.99% and 3.244.52%, respectively. The effects of genotype, sex, birth year and birth type were as follow: sex had a significant (P<0.01) effect on fiber diameter variability, staple length and percentage of medulla and kemp, females had higher fiber diameter variability, staple length, and percentage of medulla and kemp than males. Birth year had significant influence on fiber diameter and staple length (P<0.01) and lambs that born in 2002 have highest fiber diameter and longest staple length. Type of birth had significant influence on staple length (P<0.01) and fiber diameter variability (P<0.05), singles had longer staple length and more fiber diameter variability than twins. The genotype had no significant influence effect on fleece characteristics.