PRELIMINARY REPORT ON GENETIC IMPROVEMENT OF Heterobranchus longifilis THROUGH INTRASPECIFIC HYBRIDIZATION OF DIFFERENT STRAINS FROM NIGERIA

Abstract

Three strains of Heterobranchus longifilis were obtained from different ecological zones in Nigeria namely Nassarawa (NS); Kainji (KK) and Ajase Ipo, (SW). Six intra specific progenies were obtained from the cross of the three strains from the ecological zones, hatchability was highest (94.2%) in KK x KK (Kainji strains); while the intra specific cross between KK x NS had the highest (80.0%) hatchability. General observation of the study point to the fact that intra specific crosses involving SW and NS male have better survival rates.