Identification of high yielding oak tasar silkworm hybrids

Abstract

The rearing performances of twelve selected oak tasar silkworm hybrids were estimated based on the multiple trait evaluation index (E.I.) method in two trial rearing for the eight yield contributing traits, viz., fecundity, hatching percentage, cocoon yield per disease free laying, effective rate of rearing (ERR), cocoon weight, shell weight, shell ratio, filament length. In the first trial rearing, the hybrid PRP12 x Blue recorded the highest E.I. value (54.77), followed by B6 x PRP5 (54.55), BY1 x PRP5 (53.72), BY1 x PRP12 (52.77), PRP3 x BY1 (51.40) and BY1 x Blue (50.31). In the second trial rearing, B6 x PRP5 manifested the highest E.I. value (64.11) followed by BY1 x PRP12 (64.07), BY1 x Blue (55.21) and PRP12 x Blue (55.21). It is observed that the four hybrids, viz., PRP12 x Blue, B6 x PRP5, BY1 x Blue and BY1 x PRP12 exhibited consistent high E.I. values of above 50 in both the trial rearing. Therefore, these four hybrids can be used in future breeding program and commercial production of cocoons.