Co-Authors:
Zak, T., Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, Fish and Aquaculture Research Station, Dor, Israel
Perelberg, A., Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, Fish and Aquaculture Research Station, Dor, Israel
Magen, I., Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, Fish and Aquaculture Research Station, Dor, Israel
Milstein, A., Agriculture Research Organization, Fish and Aquaculture Research Station, Dor, Israel
Joseph, D., Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, Fish and Aquaculture Research Station, Dor, Israel
Abstract:
Koi herpes virus (KHV) disease first occurred in Israel in spring 1998. In search of genetic solutions to the disease, two strains of domesticated common carp (Szarvas-22 and Dinnyes) were imported from Hungary in 2002 to test their genetic contribution to KHV resistance and heterosis in growth parameters when crossed with a local strain (Dor-70). During 2004, six genetically different groups were reared, including the three above-mentioned strains and three crossbreeds (Szarvas-22 x Dor-70, Dinnyes x Dor-70, and Nasic x Dor-70). Fish were vaccinated by injection of an inoculum containing attenuated virus, individually marked, stocked in communal earthen ponds, and cultured to market size. Data on resistance to the disease and growth rates were collected. The two Hungarian strains and their crossbreeds had no advantage in specific resistance to KHV but contributed to heterosis when crossed with Dor-70. This was expressed by an increase of more than 10% and 20% in growth rate, compared to the commercial Israeli cross-breed (Nasic x Dor-70).