
%0 Journal Article
%A Peterson, A. D. 
%A Doyle, P. T. 
%A Gherardi, S. G. 
%T Components of staple strength in fine and broad wool Merino hoggets run together in a Mediterranean environment
%J Australian Journal of Agricultural Research
%D 1998/10/13
%V 49
%N 8
%P 1181-1186
%K intrinsic strength, fibre diameter variation, supplementary feeding.
%R https://doi.org/10.1071/A98039
%U https://www.publish.csiro.au/paper/A98039 
%X Properties of fleeces and individual fibres were measured on 57 fine and 51 broad wool Merino hoggets, offered 1 of 3 supplementary feeding treatments, in an attempt to relate properties of individual fibres to staple strength. The fine wool hoggets (16&#183;2 &#181;m) grew wool of staple strength higher (2&#183;5&#8211;4&#183;3 N/ktex depending on feeding treatment) than that of the broad wool hoggets (20&#183;1 &#181;m). While there was no difference in the intrinsic fibre strength between the genotypes, the variation in diameter along fibres was 24% (P &#60; 0&#183;05) greater in the broad wool sheep. The broad wool sheep also grew fibres which were 50% stronger (P &#60; 0&#183;05) but 15% less extensible than the fine wool sheep. Staple strength increased (P &#60; 0&#183;05) from 8&#183;6 to 24&#183;9 N/ktex as supplementary feeding during summer&#8211;autumn was increased, for both genotypes. Increases in staple strength due to feeding were associated with a 3&#183;3-&#181;m increase in the minimum diameter along fibres (P &#60; 0&#183;05) and a 11&#183;3-mN increase in fibre strength (P &#60; 0&#183;05). A multiple regression which included the coefficient of variation in diameter along fibres, and the extensibility of fibres, accounted for 62% of the variation in staple strength between sheep. The results enhance our understanding of the mechanisms which affect staple strength. 
