Preliminary Studies on the Role of ${\alpha}-Esterase$ Isozymes in Quantitative Traits of Two Multivoltine Silkworm (Bombyx mori L.) Races and their $F_1$ Hybrid

Heterosis was studied involving two multivoltine silkworm breeds viz, APM1 and SLKSPM through rearing and isozyme analysis. A positive significant heterotic effect was observed in fecundity, hatching % and survivability. The heterobeltiosis was observed only in fecundity and hatching %. Isozyme analysis of showed variation in loci and allelic expression. The allele with heterozygosity was observed at the Est-2 locus in progeny. Est-3 was observed in progeny, whereas it was completely absent in both parental lines. The present study suggests that the markers ( and Est-3) targeted for introgression may be useful for the improvement of fecundity and survivability as the phenomenon of heterosis was observed only in progeny.