Impact of Mating Duration on the Fecundity of the Newly Evolved Races

Of all factors that govern productivity in sericulture, the role of silkworm egg is of prime importance. The production of silkworm seed involves a long chain of interdependent and highly specialized conditions. Female moths of Bombyx mori L. commence egg deposition immediately when the moths were decoupled. More than 60% of eggs are deposited within 4 hrs after decoupling i.e. 62.33% in CSR-3, 61.67% in CSR-6, 62.50% in CSR-16 and 63.28% in CSR-17. Almost 90% of eggs were laid in the first 12 hrs (93.13% in CSR-3, 90.81% in CSR-6, 89.71% in CSR-16 and 93.17% eggs in CSR-17) after decoupling. Almost 8 to 10% of more eggs were laid when oviposition period was prolonged upto 48 hrs instead of 24 hrs. The present investigation showed that a significant increase of 45 (8.34%), 50 (9.98%), 41 (8.26%) and 45 (8.30%) (P < 0.01) numbers of more eggs were found between 24 to 48 hrs (T6 to T9) in CSR-3, CSR-6, CSR-16 and CSR-17 races respectively. The findings of present investigation is very important for sericulture industry while producing layings to keep for different hibernation schedule especially for autumn/late autumn crop, female may be allowed for prolonged oviposition to get 8 -10% more eggs and farmer may fetch 8 -10 kg. more cocoon yield/l00 dfls with more income.