• International Journal of Industrial Entomology and Biomaterials
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• v.9 no.1
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• pp.107-109
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• 2004

The present investigation reports a phenomenon hitherto unknown in tropical sericulture, wherein dia-pause nature of bivoltine eggs is overcome through a cross with a non-diapausing race of silkworm, Bombyx mori, L. Eggs of bivoltine silkworm Bombyx mori, L. generally do not hatch under tropical conditions. To prevent diapause, they are subjected to acid treatment or low temperature hibernation scheduled. A race developed at KSSRDI is found to prevent the diapause nature of bivoltine eggs when crossed as male parent, without any acid treatment or hibernation schedule. This phenomenon is reported for the first time, being unique, opens up interesting area of research in silkworm genetics of commercial implications in the industry.

• International Journal of Industrial Entomology and Biomaterials
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• v.6 no.2
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• pp.183-190
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• 2003

An attempt was made to identify superior bivoltine silkworm hybrid suitable for monsoon and spring season of Uttar Pradesh. Breeds with superior cocoon characters and their more popularity in an area were major parameters on basis of which breeds from different regions were selected. Six bivoltine hybrids of silkworm (Bombyx mori L.) of different geographical regions were reared in monsoon (three hybrids) and spring season (three hybrids) during 2000-2002 i.e., for three years at Babasaheb Bhimrao Ambedkar University, Lucknow. Their performances were analyzed statistically for nine characters. The analysis made on a number of traits viz., hatching percentage, larval duration, pupation rate, yield /10000 larvae (by no.), yield /10000 larvae (by weight), cocoon weight, cocoon shell weight, cocoon shell ratio, showed the superiority of one bivoltine hybrid out of the three bivoltine hybrids studied in each season. $SH6{\times}{NB_4}{D_2}$ was found to be superior in major cocoon parameters in both the seasons i.e., monsoon and spring season of Uttar Pradesh.

• International Journal of Industrial Entomology and Biomaterials
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• v.14 no.2
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• pp.99-105
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• 2007

The success of rearing with presently available conventional bivoltine is unpredictable in some seasons of the tropical regions due to highly fluctuating adverse climatic conditions. Thus, in order to popularize bivoltine breeds in tropical parts of India, it is very much essential to have a bivoltine breed(s), which can give stable cocoon crop under variable environments. With this objective a breeding programme was undertaken to improve the survival trait in bivoltine silkworm by introducing multivoltine genes into bivoltine through back crossing. Resultant bivoltine lines showed significantly higher survival in compared to the receptor (Bivoltine) parent and control bivoltine breed. Esterase isozyme analysis revealed similar banding pattern in the developed bivoltine and in the donor multivoltine, which predicts the introgression of multivoltine character into evolved bivoltine.

• International Journal of Industrial Entomology and Biomaterials
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• v.6 no.2
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• pp.197-202
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• 2003

The hot climatic conditions prevailing particularly in summer are not conducive to rear these high yielding bivoltine hybrids throughout the year, In order to select efficiently the breeds with high temperature tolerance, it is very important to analyze critically the impact of high temperature on many silk yielding attributes of silkworm races. Keeping the above in view, the present study was undertaken to determine the effect of high temperature $(36 {\pm} 1^{\circ}C)$ and high humidity $(80 {\pm} 5% Relative Humidity)$ on the rearing performance of pure races, foundation crosses, single hybrids and double hybrids of bivoltine silkworm, Bombyx mori L. The robust bivoltine breeds, CSR18, CSR19, 8HT and 5HT, eight foundation crosses, eight single hybrids and eight double hybrids involving these breeds were chosen as materials in this study.

• International Journal of Industrial Entomology and Biomaterials
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• v.5 no.1
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• pp.59-65
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• 2002

Parthenogenetic development, hybrid vigour and cocoon shape variability were studied in bivoltine F1 hybrids of the silkworm, Bombyx mori L. Considerable breed differences were observed in parthenogenetic ability. Among the parental breeds, CSR18 exhibited maximum parthenogenetic development (79.65%) followed by CSR4 (67.90%). Among bivoltine F1 hybrids, CSR18 ${\times}$ CSR4 showed highest parthenogenetic development (73.32%) followed by CSR2 ${\times}$ CSR4 (55.43%). Study on hybrid vigour demonstrated that CSR18 ${\times}$ CSR19 expressed maximum significant hybrid vigour for all the seven economic characters over Mid Parent Value (MPV) followed by CSR2 ${\times}$ CSR4 and CSR18 ${\times}$ CSR4 exhibiting significant heterosis for six characters. Cocoon shape measurement study revealed that among ten bivoltine F1 hybrids, cocoons of three hybrids were found comparatively uniform. Importance of this study to know the level of paythenogenetic development, hybrid vigour and cocoon shape variability in different bivoltine F1 hybrids have been discussed.

• International Journal of Industrial Entomology and Biomaterials
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• v.13 no.2
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• pp.63-72
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• 2006

Parthenogenesis, the development of unfertilized ovum opens new perspectives in silkworm breeding in the development of homozygous breeds. In order to improve induction of artificial parthenogenesis in the excised unfertilized eggs of different breeds of the silkworm, Bombyx mori L., a new method was devised and the results were compared with the routine method. General and specific combining abilities and hybrid vigour of newly developed bivoltine breeds were analyzed utilizing bivoltine breeds viz., $CSR_2,\;CSR_4,\;CSR_{17}\;and\;NB_4D_2$ Estimation of GCA revealed superiority of the breeds, $DNB_1$ for eight characters followed by $DNB_4$ for five characters. Among the testers, $CSR_2$ was found good general combiner for seven characters followed by $CSR_{17}$ for four characters. A great deal of variations was observed among the hybrids studied. Five hybrids namely, $DNB_1{\times}CSR_2,\;DNB_4{\times}CSR_4,\;DNB_4{\times}NB_4D_2,\;DNB_6{\times}CSR_2\;and\;DNB_7{\times}CSR_2$ showed significant SCA effects for 5-6 characters. The hybrid, $DNB_4{\times}CSR_4$ showed its superiority by expressing significant hybrid vigour over BPV for 7 characters. Majority of the hybrids exhibited significant hybrid vigour for survival rate, yield/10,000 larvae by weight, cocoon weight, cocoon shell weight, filament length and denier.

• International Journal of Industrial Entomology and Biomaterials
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• v.3 no.2
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• pp.169-175
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• 2001

A synthetic juvenoid, R394 (Ethyl 9-cyclohexyl-3, 7-dimethyl-2, 4-nonadienoate) which is known to be a strong pest control agent was administered to silkworm, Bombyx mori L. in minute quantity for improving the silk yield. Based on the result of an earlier preliminary screening, three concentrations of the compound, viz., 0.1563, 0.3125, 31.25 nl/ml were prepared in the form of an emulsion and administered topically as a single dose, to separate batches of $5^{th}$ instar silkworm at 24, 48, 72 and 96 hrs to determine the required concentration and critical time of application for an economically favourable response. Two popular commercial silkworm hybrids, PM ${\times}$ NB4D2 (multivoltine${\times}$bivoltine) and KA${\times}$NB4D2 (bivoltine$\times$bivoltine) were subjected to the experiment. The medium and absolute control were maintained in parallel to compare the results. The results showed that 0.3125 nl/ml was the best concentration of the compound and 72 hrs of $5^{th}$instar was the most favourable age for its administration to get the maximum improvement in the commercial traits. The possible role of exogenous juvenoids in eliciting favourable response in silkworm which ultimately leads to improvement in the commercial traits is discussed.

• International Journal of Industrial Entomology and Biomaterials
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• v.4 no.1
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• pp.37-41
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• 2002

Heterosis studies on rearing performance of 25 Fl Polyvoltine $\times$ bivoltine (sex-limited cocoon colour) hybrids revealed that manifestation of heterosis was highly significant for majority of the economic traits contributing to more silk yield. Five hybrids namely BL24${\times}$ CSR 19 (SL), BL24${\times}$${\times}$${\times}$${\times}$${\times}$

• International Journal of Industrial Entomology and Biomaterials
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• v.5 no.1
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• pp.37-43
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• 2002

Eighteen new bivoltine silkworm (Bombyx mori L.) hybrids developed at Andhra Pradesh State Sericul-ture Research and Development Institute, Hindupur are evaluated for 10 economic traits by following two multiple trait index methods, i.e., Subordinate Function and Evaluation Index for their economic merit. The hybrid genotype, APS6${\times}$APS11 with highest Subordinate function value of 8.2432 and highest average Evaluation Index of 61.67 ranked first. This hybrid is adjudicated as most promising hybrid and recommended for commercial use. Further, applicability of Subordinate Function Index Method is tested and recommended for application of multiple trait evaluation similar to Evaluation Index Method as the results obtained are comparable. Further, both these methods can be applied for confirmation of results.

• International Journal of Industrial Entomology and Biomaterials
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• v.9 no.2
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• pp.249-254
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• 2004

Dietary supplementation of sodium nitrate with different concentrations 50, 100, 200, 500, 700 and 1000 $\mu\textrm{g}$/ml of single, two, three and four feeds to fifth instar larvae of biovoltine NB$_4$D$_2$ race of the silkworm, B. mori resulted in significant increase in the food conversion, conversion rate and conversion efficiency $K_1$ and $K_2$. However, there were significant decrease in the food assimilation, assimilation rate and assimilation efficiency in the sodium nitrate treated groups as compared with that of the corresponding parameters of the carrier control. This indicates that the administration of sodium nitrate may stimulate metabolic activities, thereby influencing conversion of food into body weight in the bivoltine silkworm, B. mori.