SILKWORM BREEDING AND GENETICS

Silkworm Breeding & Genetics

SCIENTISTS:

1. Dr. Th. Ranjita Devi, Scientist-C

MANDATE:

Development of improved multivoltine and bivoltine breeds suitable for Eastern and Northeastern zone

Identification of season specific hybrids (Multi x Multi, Multi x Bi, Bi x Bi) for Eastern and Northeastern region

Act as a coordinating centre for conducting hybrid trials under Race Authorization Programme

Maintenance of Bivoltine & Multivoltine silkworm breeds as Breeder’ stocks

Supply of Basic seeds (P4/P3) of Multivoltine & Bivoltines for Eastern and Northeastern zone

PROJECTS:

#	Project Code & Title	PI of the Project	Duration	Objective	Total Budget (in Lakh Rs)	Expected Outcome
1	AIB 02006 MI: Improvement of Nistari lines for survival and Silk productivity	Dr. Thangjam Ranjita Devi, Sci-C	June 2020 - May 2024	To develop Nistari lines for improved survival and silk productivity To evaluate improved Nistari crossbreeds for productivity traits	22.50	Improved Nistari lines with distinct superiority in survival, BmNPV tolerance, economic traits and silk filament characteristics. Improved crossbreeds with better productivity by utilizing improved Nistari lines would enhance raw silk productivity in Eastern and North Eastern India.
2	Identification of superior Bivoltine foundation cross as a male component to improve crossbreed productivity in E & NE India (RC Approved - Concept Note -CSB/BER/RCN017):	Dr. N. Chandrakanth, Sci-C (Upto March 2023) Dr. S. Chakraborty, Sci-D (From April 2023)	3 years - (April, 2020 to March, 2023)	To identify superior bivoltine foundation crosses as male component to improve the crossbreed productivity in Eastern & North-Eastern India	7.68.	New productive bivoltine foundation crosses will be developed with higher productivity traits (Shell weight: 0.27 to 0.32g; Shell: 18 to 20%) Newly developed productive bivoltine foundation crosses when combined with sturdy ruling multivoltines, expected to increase silk productivity particularly in Eastern region and in general at North-Eastern region.
Collaborative Projects
3	AIB 02009 MI: Authorization trials of silkworm hybrid, 12Y x BFC1 in Eastern and North-Eastern India	Dr. N. Chandrakanth, Sci-C	August 2020 - July 2022	To evaluate the newly developed Multi x Bi hybrid, 12Y x BFC1 for generating data for hybrid authorization with the farmers in Eastern & North Eastern India	31.613	Improved crossbreed for Eastern & North Eastern region would enable commercialization to enhance the income of the farmers and silk output.
4	AIB01009 MI: Evaluation of new bivoltine double hybrid, TT21 x TT56 at farmers level for authorization for commercial exploitation [Collaborative project with CSRTI-Mysuru]	Dr. N. Chandrakanth, Sci-C (Upto March 2023) Dr. Raviraj, V. S., Sci-C(From April 2023)	April 2020 to March 2023(Extended Upto Dec2023)	To evaluate the performance of bivoltine hybrid, TT21 x TT56 in field for productivity and silk quality	5.194	After authorization, hybrid TT21 x TT56 would be commercialized to increase quality raw silk production.
5	AIE06002 MI: Evaluation of bivoltine silkworm genetic resources for tolerance to abiotic stress in selected hotspots [Collaborative project with CSGRC-Hosur]	Dr. N. Chandrakanth, Sci-C	March 2019 to March 2022	To screen and select bivoltine germplasm resources with presence of markers linked to thermo tolerance. To evaluate selected bivoltine germplasm resources against abiotic stress and identify suitable bivoltine breeds to target selected hot spots	0.50	Identification of thermo-tolerant productive bivoltine breed(s) suitable for different hotspot regions.
6	On-Farm Trials of Bivoltine Double Hybrid, (BHP3.BHP2) x (BHP8.BHP9) in E & NE India	Dr. V.Lakshmanan , Sci-D	Two Years (July, 2020 - June, 2022)	To evaluate the new bivoltine silkworm double hybrid, (BHP3.BHP2) x (BHP8.BHP9) in large scale with farmers of E & NE region.	5.22	Large scale evaluation (20,000 to 30,000 Dfls) of new bivoltine double hybrid, BHP DH for two years in different locations of E & NE would generate bulk data on its performance across seasons / locations and would fulfill the protocol requirements to put forth before Hybrid Authorisation Committee for its consideration.

OTHER PROGRAMMES:

#	Programme & Title	PI of the Programme	Duration	Objective	Total Budget (in Lakh Rs)	Expected Outcome
1	Maintenance of Bivoltine Germplasm breeds	Dr. V.Lakshmanan , Sci-D	Continuous	To preserve the bivoltine germplasm breeds true to its purity	0.75 per Year (Continuous)	Preservation of bivoltine germplasm true to its purity
2	Maintenance of Multivoltine Germplasm breeds	Dr. N. Chandrakanth, Sci-C	Continuous	To maintain the multivoltine Silkworm germplasm conforming to their original characteristics	0.50	To maintain the multivoltine silkworm germplasm conforming to their original characteristics
3	Supply of Basic Seeds (P4/P3) – Bivoltines	Dr. V.Lakshmanan , Sci-D	Continuous	To supply P4/P3 basic seeds of bivoltines for Eastern & North-Eastern region	0.60 per Year (Continuous)	Supply of P4/P3 basic seeds of bivoltines for Eastern & North-Eastern region
4	Supply of Basic Seeds (P4/P3) – Multivoltines	Dr. Thangjam Ranjita Devi, Sci-B	Continuous	To supply P4/P3 basic seeds of multivoltines for Eastern & North-Eastern region	0.25	Supply of P4/P3 basic seeds of multivoltine for Eastern & North-Eastern region