Genetic Improvement of Tharparkar Cattle: A Review

Abstract

Tharparkar cattle are an important dual breed of desert which can be improved for sustainable milk production by using different molecular markers and through selective breeding. Although, genetic studies done on Tharparkar, are fewer, there is need of more attention on genetic studies and identification of useful markers and SNPs associated with production traits. This review article describes the production and reproduction performance of the breed and emphasizes more on genetic studies, breed characterization, marker assisted selection or identification of molecular markers, genomic assessment, etc. to improve the breed status. Molecular markers for heat tolerance, disease resistance, high fat and protein production, A2 milk composition identified in Tharparkar cattle positively encourage breeders to improve the breed for future use. It may help the government agencies to undertake systematic animal husbandry practices and breed improvement programmes so that high quality germ plasm may be provided to the farmers for breed improvement in rural area.