Studies on the Combining Ability of the New Multi and Bi Voltine Hybrids by Line X Tester Analysis in the Silkworm Bombyx mori L.

2 Abstract: The combining ability studies of the isolated lines characterized by high viability multivoltine races along with the bivoltine testers characterized by high productivity and their sixteen hybrids were evaluated for the performance with regard to eleven economic traits. Appropriate statistical methods were employed to interpret the data on the hybrid performance, general combining ability of lines and testers and the specific combining ability of the hybrids. Analysis of variance for combining ability revealed larger mean squares for the traits analyzed in the lines than those of testers indicating the genetic diversity of the lines for combining ability. Analysis of variance computed for the eleven economic traits of eight parents and sixteen hybrids revealed significant variations between parents Vs crosses for all the characters except for fecundity. On the basis of the performance of new hybrids, general combing ability of lines and specific combining ability of hybrids, promising hybrids and their effective utilization for commercial exploitation are discussed.