• International Journal of Industrial Entomology and Biomaterials
• /
• v.8 no.2
• /
• pp.181-187
• /
• 2004

Polyvoltine silkworm breeds/hybrids play an important role in tropical sericulture. In the process of synthesizing more potential polyvoltine hybrids(polyvoltine${\times}$bivoltine) of superior quantity and quality, the Andhra Pradesh State Sericulture Research and Development Institute (APSSRDI) has developed 8 promising polyvoltine breeding lines (SDMG2, APM16, APM15, APM14, APM5, RM2, APM3, APM13). In order to study their hybrid vigour and performance, these breeds were crossed with 4 potential bivoltine testers (SDD1, SDD2, SDD3, APS8), and 32 different hybrid combinations were prepared and evaluated for their mid parent heterosis (MPH) and better parent heterosis (BPH) of silk productivity. Since silk is the ultimate product required for commercial purpose, based on silk productivity and its heterosis, three superior polyvoltine hybrid combinations namely RM2${\times}$APS8 (24.3%), APM3${\times}$APS8 (12.4%) and APM15${\times}$SDD2 (10.8%) were adjudicated as potential heterotic hybrid combinations of superior silk yield and hence recommended for further large scale field trails and commercial exploitation.

• International Journal of Industrial Entomology and Biomaterials
• /
• v.9 no.1
• /
• pp.41-46
• /
• 2004

A breeding programme was initiated by utilizing a robust bivoltine breed CSR$_{18}$ and a polyvoltine breed Cambodge with the main objective of developing robust polyvoltine silkworm breeds/hybrids. At F$_1$ and F$_2$, parthenogenetic development was induced following warm water treatment of eggs at 46$^{\circ}C$ for 18 min followed by two backcrosses with Bl$_{67}$, an evolved polyvoltine breed. The newly developed breed was subjected for hybrid study using eight hybrid combinations in the laboratory at F$_{8}$ generation. F$_1$ hybrids between newly developed breed Bl$_{67}$ (Pg) and promising bivoltine breeds exhibited their superiority by expressing significant hybrid vigour for several economic characters like cocoon yield/10,000 larvae, cocoon weight, cocoon shell weight, cocoon shell ratio and denier. Study on cocoon shape variability revealed that cocoons of all the F$_1$ hybrids except BL$_{67}$ (Pg)${\times}$NB$_4$D$_2$ were found comparatively uniform in shape.pe.

• International Journal of Industrial Entomology and Biomaterials
• /
• v.2 no.2
• /
• pp.133-139
• /
• 2001

Data from an experiment involving six polyvoltine and three bivoltine silkworm breeds have been analysed to know the level of hybrid rigour and cocoon shape variation in Fl hybrids among silkworm breeds with lows medium and high cocoon weight. Results indicated significantly positive heterosis for several quantitative characters with maximum total heterosis over mid parent value in hybrids between low and medium followed by low and low, medium and medium, low and high and high and low cocoon-weighed breeds, respectively. Study on cocoon shape measurement revelled that among Fl hybrids, cocoons of the three combinations such as GNP ${\times}$ CSR2, GNP ${\times}$ J2 and PM ${\times}$ NB4 D2 were comparatively uniform in their cocoon shape. Importance of this study to know the level of heterosis and cocoon shape variability in different silkworm crosses hale been discussed.

• International Journal of Industrial Entomology and Biomaterials
• /
• v.14 no.1
• /
• pp.63-68
• /
• 2007

The response of silkworm, Bombyx mori L. to phytoecdysteroid (PE) when administered at different ages of $5^{th}$ instar was studied in the popular bivoltine ($CSR2{\times}CSR4$) and multi${\times}$bivoltine ($PM{\times}CSR2$) silkworm hybrids, reared on the Victory-1 variety of mulberry leaves. PE was administered to $5^{th}$ instar silkworm per os at a rate of $250{\mu}g$ per 100 larvae to different batches of silkworm at 0, 24, 48, 72, 96, 120, 144 hrs and at the onset of cocoon spinning when a few larvae were ripe. The larval and mounting duration, cocoon yield and cocoon characters were influenced by PE. The intensity of influence was dependent on the time of application. The larvae treated at the beginning of the instar, improved the economic traits significantly with a marginal increase in larval duration. In the larvae treated at the middle of the instar, larval duration was shortened remarkably but the economic traits were adversely affected. This particular treatment can become a good management strategy in the case of mulberry leaf shortage or disease incidence. In the larvae treated at the onset of cocoon spinning, the mounting duration was substantially reduced without much effect on the cocoon traits which would be a big benefit in commercial sericulture. The physiological significance of varied response of silkworm to PE administration is discussed.

• International Journal of Industrial Entomology and Biomaterials
• /
• v.12 no.2
• /
• pp.95-100
• /
• 2006

Central Sericultural Research and Training Institute, Mysore have evolved several highly productive bivoltine hybrids which can produce international grade raw silk. Among them $CSR2{\times}CSR4,\;CSR2{\times}CSR5,\;CSR3{\times}CSR6,\;CSR17{\times}CSR16,\;CSR18{\times}CSR19$ and $CSR12{\times}CSR6$ are being popularized in the field. There is a minimum difference in their economic characters but they appear to differ in survival. Though they are productive under high input management conditions, they are very susceptible to different diseases under normal rearing practices. No systematic attempts have been made to test their susceptibility status / resistance. Thus the present study is a modest attempt to screen the above six productive bivoltine hybrids to two important pathogens viz., Bombyx mori Nuclear Polyhedrosis Virus (BmNPV) and Bombyx mori Infectious Flacherie Virus (BmIFV) along with existing hybrid, $KA{\times}NB4D2$ to assess their susceptibility / resistance. The results shows that the productive hybrid $CSR2{\times}CSR4$ is the most resistant to BmNPV and it is suggested by its highest $LC_{50}$ value followed by $CSR12{\times}CSR6,\;KA{\times}NB4D2,\;CSR3{\times}CSR6,\;CSR17{\times}CSR16,\;CSR18{\times}CSR19,\;CSR2{\times}CSR5$. Based on the $LC_{50}$ value and $LT_{50}$ values for BmIFV, the hybrid $KA{\times}NB4D2$ was found to be the most resistant (1st position) one followed by $CSR3{\times}CSR6$ (2nd position) $CSR2{\times}CSR$ (3rd position) and $CSR12{\times}CSR6$ (4th position) $CSR17{\times}CSR16$, $CSR18{\times}CSR19$ (5th position) and $CSR2{\times}CSR5$ being the least. The response of 7 bivoltine hybrids to both the pathogens BmNPV and BmIFV indicates that, the hybrids $CSR2{\times}CSR4$, $CSR12{\times}CSR6$ and $KA{\times}NB4D2$ were found to be the most resistant when compared to others. Further, $KA{\times}NB4D2$ being less productive hybrid with a shell ratio of 20.08%, the other two hybrids $CSR2{\times}CSR4$ (Cocoon shell ratio, 21.44%) and $CSR12{\times}CSR6$ (cocoon shell ratio, 23.45%) can be considered to be most productive with superior quality cocoon and resistant to both BmNPV and BmIFV pathogens. The overall study indicated that the hybrid $CSR2{\times}CSR5$ is the most susceptible hybrid to both the pathogens.

• International Journal of Industrial Entomology and Biomaterials
• /
• v.9 no.1
• /
• pp.53-58
• /
• 2004

Studies on heterotic expression in the silk productivity of 66 thermo-tolerant bivoltine hybrids reared under high temperature $(36{\times}1^{\circ}C)$ and low humidity (60${\times}$5%) conditions revealed that manifestation of heterosis was highly significant for majority of the quantitative traits contributing to more cocoon productivity. Observations were made on 8 economically important traits such as fecundity, pupation rate, cocoon yield, cocoon weight, cocoon shell weight, cocoon shell ratio, cocoon filament length and raw silk. Analysis of variance results revealed great deal of variability indicating significant (P < 0.001) variations. Out of 66 hybrids, 7 hybrids exhibited positive heterosis for seven traits and 4 hybrids expressed significant hetero-beltiosis for 6 traits, out of 8 traits evaluated. Based on results, the hybrids ${SR_1} {\times} {SR_5}and {CSR_2} {\times} {SR_5}$ are adjudged as most promising ones and can be exploited commercially in tropical climates to increase the cocoon productivity.

• International Journal of Industrial Entomology and Biomaterials
• /
• v.9 no.1
• /
• pp.47-51
• /
• 2004

To evolve silkworm hybrids with higher survival and productivity and easy and effective seed cocoon production, three new evolved bivoltine hybrids of silkworm (Bombyx mori L.), created with participation of sex-limited lines at eggs and larva stage were evaluated with control Super$_1$${\times}$Hessa$_2$ hybrid at Plovdiv Agrarian University during 2000 - 2002. ANOVA analysis was employed and the performance of hybrids was observed in respect of main quantitative traits. The results obtained show significant superiority of new hybrids T$_{15}$ 4/${\times}$TBV$_{2}$24/, XT$_{215}$38/${\times}$TV$_{3}$2/, XT$_{215}$38/${\times}$B$_{2}$6/ and their reciprocal crosses over the control. They were characterized with 99% hatchability of eggs, 93-95% silkworm survival, 2.32- 2.42 g cocoon weight, 53.5-55.7 cg shell weight, 22.9-23.1% shell ratio, 1,307-1,326 m filament length, 3.08-3.17 denier, 95-96% reelability, 44.4-45.1% silk ratio, 569-593 number of normal eggs per lying and 347-364 mg weight of normal eggs per lying. Newly evolved hybrids were manifested high productivity, 41.0-43.6 kg cocoon yield and 7.33-7.78 kg raw silk yield per one box (20,000$\pm$200 viable eggs), which significant surpass the control Super$_1$${\times}$Hessa$_2$ hybrid with 7.6-14.4% and 10.8-17.6%, respectively. T$_{15}$ 4/${\times}$TBV$_{2}$24/ and XT$_{215}$38/${\times}$TV$_{3}$2/ were considered as highly productive hybrids to local conditions and found suitable to rear in spring season.n.

• International Journal of Industrial Entomology and Biomaterials
• /
• v.9 no.2
• /
• pp.193-198
• /
• 2004

Seasonal effects of the newly evolved bivoltine hybrid namely CSR$_2$${\times}$SR$_{5}$, SR$_1$ ${\times}$SR$_4$ and control hybrid KA${\times}$NB$_4$D$_2$ along with their parents SR$_1$, SR$_4$, SR$_{5}$, CSR$_2$ KA and NB$_4$D$_2$ were evaluated during different seasons of the year to understand genotype and environment interactions. Data were collected on five economic importance namely, pupation rate, cocoon yield, cocoon weight, cocoon shell ratio and filament length of the lines, hybrids and the control breeds/hybrid in three different seasons i.e., Pre-Monsoon, Monsoon and post-monsoon and subjected to relevant statistical methods. Seasonal performance of CSR$_2$, SR$_1$, SR$_4$ and SR$_{5}$ revealed superiority over control breeds KA and NB$_4$D$_2$. Both the hybrids i.e., CSR$_2$${\times}$SR$_{5}$ and SR$_1$${\times}$SR$_4$ performed well under diversified environmental conditions of tropical climate in a year indicating overall stability. These hybrids revealed highly significant (P < 0.01) variations for majority of the traits studied over the control hybrid KA${\times}$NB$_4$D$_2$.$.

• International Journal of Industrial Entomology and Biomaterials
• /
• v.9 no.2
• /
• pp.199-205
• /
• 2004

With the main objective to know the feasibility of exploitation of F$_1$ hybrids in semi arid and arid climatic conditions of India, the present study was carried out by utilising RD$_1$ as female parent and six bivoltine silkworm breeds viz., CSR$_2$, CSR$_4$, CSR$_{5}$, CSR$_{17}$, CSR$_{18}$ and CSR$_{19}$ along with NB$_4$D$_2$ as male parents. Different hybrids exhibited their superiority for various economic characters during different seasons. Among F$_1$ hybrids, RD$_1$${\times}$CSR$_{5}$ was adjudicated as the best hybrid in terms of expression of significant positive hybrid vigour over mid parental value for five economic characters namely hatching %, cocoon yield, cocoon weight, cocoon shell weight and filament size, highest multiple trait average evaluation index value of 56.77 and comparatively uniform cocoon size with coefficient of variation (CV%) of 3.80 and Standard Deviation (SD) of 7.99 during September - October 2003. Results of the present study revealed that the F$_1$ hybrid RD$_1$${\times}$CSR$_{5}$ can be successfully exploited on commercial in semi arid and arid climatic conditions in India. India.dia.

• International Journal of Industrial Entomology and Biomaterials
• /
• v.8 no.1
• /
• pp.101-106
• /
• 2004

The process of removal of gummy proteinous material sericin from silk is commonly called as degumming loss or boil-off loss ratio. In the present study, the boil-off loss ratio in the cocoon shells of twelve multivoltine${\times}$bivoltine hybrids and their parents were analysed. Inheritance pattern of boil-off loss ratio was analysed in crosses involving high and low boil-off loss parents, F$_1$s, F$_2$s and back-crosses by parent off spring regression analysis. Heterosis and heterobeltiosis was also analysed for this character, Highly significant (P＞0.01) variations were observed in eight out of ten multivoltine and two out of five bivoltine parents indicating the presence of genetic variation in the expression of boil-off loss ratio. Among F$_1$ hybrids, ten hybrids expressed significant (P＞0.01) variations when compared with control hybrid PM${\times}$NB$_4$D$_2$. Significant negative heterosis was expressed in three multi ${\times}$ bi hybrids viz., BL67${\times}$CSR$_{101}$, 96A${\times}$CSR$_{19}$ and 96C${\times}$CSR$_{19}$, which is desirable for this character, whereas expression of heterobeltiosis was significant only with one hybrid, 96C${\times}$CSR$_{18}$ in desired direction. Studies on inheritance pattern showed that the character is heritable and contribution percentage of female and male in the ratio of 50.9: 49.1 and it appears that both the parents are influencing in the expression of boil-on loss ratio in silkworm. Based on the overall performance and evaluation by multiple trait evaluation index and also considering the expression of the boil-off loss ratio three hybrids vix., BL67 ${\times}$ CSR$_{101}$, 96A${\times}$CSR$_{19}$ and 96C${\times}$CSR$_{18}$ were found superior and recommended for commercial exploitation.n.ion.n.