Heterosis in Single, Three-way and Double Cross Hybrids of Silkworm, Bombyx mori L.

Abstract

An investigation was carried out in India, to study the extent of heterosis expressed in single, three-way and double cross hybrids with respect to important economic characters. The results were discussed in terms of relative heterosis (heterosis over mid-parent value) and standard heterosis (heterosis over standard check variety). Significant negative relative heterosis was observed for total larval duration in single and majority of the three-way crosses; whereas it was positive and significant in double cross hybrids. The commercial characters like cocoon and pupal weight, shell percentage, filament length and denier, recorded positive relative heterosis in most of the single and three-way crosses; whereas they were negative and significant in most of the double crosses. In general, higher degree of heterosis was expressed in single crosses followed by three-way and double crosses for the characters studied.