Abstract

Seventy three multivoltine mulberry silkworm genetic resources, that are diverse in nature with wide variability among the economic traits and morphologically unique were evaluated using multiple traits evaluation index and mano evaluation index. Potential accessions were identified from among the germplasm stocks conserved. Accession number BMI-043 was identified for nine specialized characters and accession number BMI-074 for eight characters and BMI-007 for six characters followed by BMI-061, BMI-001and BMI-066 for five specialized characters. Accession number BMI-043 was the top performer under mano’s evaluation index. The silkworm genetic wealth was also compare with that of the ruling popular multivoltine parental races like Pure Mysore and Nistari with many promising accessions, that can be included in the breeding programmes.

Keywords: Multivoltine, Bombyx mori, Germplasm.