THE PROSPECT OF MULBERRY SERICULTURE IN ORISSA: USE OF BIVOLTINE FOUNDATION CROSS AS BIVOLTINE P. SEED COCOON FOR PRODUCTION OF MULTI x BIV COMMERCIAL HYBRIDS

The present study was undertaken with an object to find out the suitable Silkworm Bivoltine breed/hybrid for rearing during August-September Season in Southern part of Orissa. AugustSeptember season is one of the major commercial crop in this area and also Agrahayani P. Seed Crop rearing of West Bengal, at the same time this season is very much unfavorable for silkworm rearing with the pure Bivoltine breeds due to heavy and continuous rain and in most of the years, the rearing was either failed or washed out. Cunninghum (1984) advocated that the hybrids can over come the environmental traces due to heterozygous Superiority. In this study, one bivoltine hybrid viz. SK X SK, have been selected on the basis of the above reference and results of the trials. Both parents are hardy as well as their hybrids performs fair. Annual requirement of Bivoltine Seed Cocoon in West Bengal is more than an 1 Crore. Keeping in view, the said hybrid can be reared during August-September season to meet the requirement of West Bengal. SKX SK, was reared Foundation Cross (FC) as Seed instead of commercial rearing and the farmers income for their product has increased about 2 fold, thereby improving their socio-economical status. In 2008 under taken the present study and reared consecutively for 3 years in the Southern part of Orissa, both at farm and farmer's level. The yield per 100 difls ranges from 25 kgs. to 60 kgs. August-September season is the Agrahyani P. Seed Rearing of West Bengal. The Seed cocoon produced is being supplied to the SSPCs of West Bengal, where the male components are used for commercial seed production for Agrahyani Commercial Crop of W.B. The details of the performance are discussed in this paper.