Cocoon size Variables vis-a-vis Reeling Traits of Silkworm (Bombyx mori L.) Germplasm
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Author:B. Mohan, N. Balachandran, M. Muthulakshmi, S.A. Hiremath,\nG.K.S. Srinivasa Babu and C.K. Kamble
p-ISSN:0024-9602, e-ISSN:2582-5321, Vol:96, Issue:jul-dec
DOI: https://doi.org/10.29321/MAJ.10.100523
Abstract
A study on the cocoon size variables and reeling traits was carried out with 101 bivoltine
silkworm germplasm based on single cocoon reeling data with the objectives (i) to analyze
the degree of correlation of cocoon length, width and L / W ratio on total filament length, non_x0002_broken filament length, (ii) to understand whether the shape of cocoons influences the
reeling process, (iii) to find the cocoon shape uniformity among the accessions and (iv) to
group the best accessions based on cocoon shape uniformity and longest filament length
with less breakage during reeling cycle. The results revealed that 13 accessions (BBE-175,
BBE-178, BBE-179, BBE-180, BBE-181, BBE-182, BBE-185, BBE-186, BBE-187, BBE-192, BBE-197, BBI_x0002_205 and BBE-270) showed more uniformity for cocoon shape, as its standard deviation and co_x0002_efficient of variation for cocoon length, width and L/W ratio were less than the overall mean
values 1.886, 1.90 and 21.727; and 5.620, 9.990 and 12.360 respectively. These accessions also
showed an average total filament length more than 1000 meters and less breakage during
reeling cycles, indicating the superiority in filament strength. Correlation analysis showed
that cocoon length, width and L/W ratio do not have statistically significant positive or negative
correlation with total filament length or non-broken filament length. These 13 silkworm
germplasm have elongated and oval cocoon shape and this study suggests that cocoon
shape (especially oval or elongated) should be given more importance in breeding plan than
considering the cocoon size (i.e., cocoon length, width).
Key words : Bombyx mori, Silkworm germplasm, Cocoon shape