Performance evaluation of new Iranian lines and hybrids of silkworm, Bombyx mori L.

Abstract Considering the production of new hybrids of silkworm, Bombyx mori L. it is necessary to update these tests and compare the existing hybrids with new hybrids. The purpose of this study was to compare the performance of new Iranian silkworm lines and hybrids. In this study, eight lines, sixteen hybrids, and one control hybrid were tested. Silkworm eggs were obtained from the Development of Sericulture Center of Iran in the spring of 2022. The obtained data were analyzed using the GLM procedure of SAS 9.4 with four replications and 200 larvae per replication. The primary analysis of all hybrids and lines showed that the hybrid’s average cocoon weight and cocoon shell weight were superior to lines (p < 0.0001). Average cocoon weight, shell weight, and pupal weight for the 11×2 hybrid were the best with 2.41, 0.63, and 1.79 gr, respectively. The 11×4 and 7×10 hybrids also have a higher heterosis rate than the other investigated hybrids. The results showed that none of the hybrids have positive specific combinability (SCA) for all traits. However, the hybrids 2×11 and 7×10 showed the highest specific combinability (SCA) for different traits. the average evaluation index for the mentioned traits was the best performance of hybrids 7×8 and 11×4, while hybrids 9×2 and 3×2 showed the lowest evaluation index among the examined hybrids. The results of this study showed that hybrids obtained from lines 7×8 and 4×11 had the best performance for cocoon production by farmers.