Evaluation of genetic potential of the polyvoltine silkworm (Bombyx mori L.) germplasm and identification of parents for breeding programme.

In the present study, polyvoltine germplasm stock of Andhra Pradesh State Sericulture Research and Development, Institute (APSSRDI) was evaluated for its performance based on quantitative and qualitative traits. Twenty-one oval and 10 peanut cocoon shaped lines were reared in different seasons of the year. Since the polyvoltines are non-diapausing, six generations were reared and evaluated for various economically important traits based on evaluation index and sub-ordinate function statistical methods. Ten top ranked lines obtained by using both the methods were identified as potential parental strains. Among oval lines, APM14, APM11, APM18, APMW9, and APM19, and among peanut lines APMD5, APMD1, APMD3, APMD9 and APMD8 were selected as base material. The identified high yielding lines will be used in various breeding programmes as initial parents for the synthesis of superior polyvoltine breeds/hybrids.