Correlation analysis between the lean meat content and the carcass trait and live body in Guanzhong black pig

Data for this study were collected from 30 Guanzhong black pigs with a live weight around 90 kg.Assuming the final live weight ( x 1 ),body length ( x 2 ),dressed weight ( x 3 ),carcass length ( x 4 ),eye area ( x 5 ),ham joint weight ( x 6 ) and back fat thickness ( x 7 ) to be independent variables and the lean meat weight of carcass ( Y ) to be a dependent variable for path coefficient analysis,the correlation coefficients,path coefficients,determination coefficients and correlation indices ( R 2 ) were calculated.The results indicated that the correlation coefficients between the lean meat weight and respective independent variables were significant;the final live weight ( x 1 ) and the back fat thickness ( x 7 ) gave predominant direct effect ( P Yx 1 ,and P Yx 7 ) and determinacy on the lean meat weight( Y ).It is clear from the result of high correlation indices ( R 2 =0.939 8) that the path coefficient analysis could reveal the real relationship between the dependent variable and the independent variables.