Evaluation and Identification of Silkworm (Bombyx mori L) Genetic Resources Tolerant to Temperature and Humidity

The aim of the study is identification of bivoltine breeds suitable for regional abiotic stress conditions to achieve successful bivoltine cocoon production.

Study Design: In this regard the present study has been taken up with ten bivoltine accessions (4 oval and 6 dumbbell) linked to thermo tolerance of SSR markers and evaluated under different agroclimatic conditions namely, (a) high temperature and low humidity; (b) moderate temperature and high humidity and (c) moderate temperature and high humidity.

Place and Duration of the Study: The study has been taken up for 2 years , where the trials were conducted for abiotic stress conditions at CSR & TI, Berhampore (West Bengal), RSRS, Jammu (J&K) and REC, Chitradurga (Karnataka).

Methodology: The ten shortlisted bivoltine accessions (oval and dumbbell) showing thermo tolerance evaluated at hotspots were collected and reared at different locations for data collection and analysis of rearing parameters viz. larval wt.(g), ERR/No., (survival) ERR/wt (kg), pupation rate (%), single cocoon weight (g), single cocoon shell weight (g),shell ratio (%) along with control CSR2 (oval) and CSR4 (dumbbell).

Results: Among the ten bivoltine accessions, the performance of BBI-0086 [KPG-A], BBI-0339[DD-2], BBE-0184[SMGS-2] and BBI-0338[DD-1], BBI-0336[APS-8] were found to be stable in all locations respectively.

Conclusion: The present study elucidate the impact of temperature and humidity associated stress conditions over economic traits performances of selected bivoltine accessions. The findings of the present study provide a suitable platform for future bivoltine crop improvement through breeding program.