Reeling and Raw Silk Assessment of New Bivoltine Silkworm Double Hybrids Tolerant to High Temperature and Muscardine Disease

The study was conducted to evaluate the reeling and raw silk quality characteristics of new bivoltine double hybrids of Bombyx mori L. tolerant to high temperature and muscardine disease. Three double hybrids (B1 × B2) × FC1, (B1 × B4) × FC1 and FC2 × (B6 × B8) along with the control FC2 × FC1 double hybrid, were assessed across fifteen farmers’ fields. Cocoon and raw silk parameters were evaluated using standard protocols at the Central Silk Technological Research Institute (CSTRI), Bengaluru. (B1 × B4) × FC1 exhibited superior traits for maximum parameters followed by (B1 × B2) × FC1 and FC2 × (B6 × B8) with overall grade range 2A-A among the double hybrids. The findings highlight the commercial potential of these hybrids in tropical sericulture, supporting farmers to rear successful dual tolerance crop and reelers to get best quality cocoons, thereby sustaining sericulture.