Genetic parameters of production traits of Hungarian Pig populations evaluated in separate and joint (field and station) tests

Abstract. Genetic parameters for various backfat measurements (BF1FT, BF2FT, BF3FT, BF1ST, BF2ST, BF3ST), average backfat thickness (ABFFT), loin muscle area (LMAFT), fat depth between the 3rd and 4th lumbar vertebrae (SF1FT), fat depth between the 3rd and 4th ribs (SF2FT), lean meat percentage (LMPFT) were estimated. The analysis was based on the national database of the field and station tests, using animal model in Hungarian Large White (LW), Hungarian Landrace (LR) breeds, and A-line of the Ka-Hyb hybrid (MLW) between May 1996–February 2001. Heritability for BFFT traits ranged between 0.15–0.35. Similar interval was received for ABFFT (0.20–0.36) but reasonably higher estimates were observed in BFST traits (0.41–0.75). SFFT heritabilies (0.18–0.37) were close to those of BFFT traits while somewhat higher values were found in LMPFT (0.26–0.45) and LMAFT (0.31–0.58). Genetic correlations were generally positive among all fat depth measurements and negative with LMPFT. Genetic correlations between LMAFT-LMPFT were positive but contradictory results were found between LMAFT and fat depth measurements. The genetic correlations between BFFT traits and their station test counterparts (BFST) varied between 0.12–0.64.