Application of Discriminant Analysis on the Forest Muturu Cattle in Different Locations in Southern Zone of Nigeria

Abstract

About 238 mature Forest Muturu cattle were sampled from Southern Nigeria (Enugu, Imo, Delta, Anambra and Ebonyi) States. Discriminant analysis was performed on the effects of location using body weight and body linear parameters. Horn length was the only parameter selected for stepwise discriminant analysis to separate the populations of forest Muturu bulls. Horn length, muzzle circumference, body length, chest girt and ear length were the selected parameters by stepwise discriminant analysis to separate the forest Muturu cows populations. The strength of the canonical correlation model to explain the variations between the groups 0.615, 0.450, 0.364 and 0.335 for functions 1, 2, 3 and 4 respectively among cows and 0.71, 0.59, 0.50 and 0.29 for functions 1, 2, 3 and 4 respectively among bulls. Location was found to influence body parameters. There is need to carry out further study to assess performance characterization of the Forest Muturu cattle in Nigeria to identify the superior genetic grades base on economic traits which may be useful in establishing necleous breeding center.