Boil-off Loss Ratio of Cocoon Shell as a Selection Criterion in the Newly Developed Bivoltine Silkworm (Bombyx mori L.) Hybrids

Boil-off loss ratio is one of the most important economic traits to be considered during the course of silkworm breeding. The boil-off loss ratio varies among the breeds and seasons. The present study was undertaken with 5 oval and 5 peanut breeds and twenty five hybrids involving these parents to select the promising hybrids with desired boil-off loss ratio. Accordingly, studies were undertaken to estimate the heterosis and heterobeltiosis. It was observed that majority of the hybrids revealed negative heterosis for boil-off loss ratio which is desirable. Based on the heterosis and heterobeltiosis, among all the hybrids, the hybrid APBRO5 x APBRD5 exhibited highest negative heterosis for boil-off loss ratio and also exhibited highest EI value (64.5) for the quantitative and qualitative traits. Based on the hybrids performance, boil-off loss ratio, heterosis and heterobeltiosis and evaluation index, the hybrids viz. APBRO5 x APBRD5, APBRO1 x APBRD1 and APBRO3 x APBRD4 were identified for commercial exploitation. Abstract