Vol. 11, Issue 12 (2022)

Author(s):
Palvi Sharma, Kamlesh Bali, Arti Sharma, RK Gupta, AK Singh, Meenakshi Gupta and RK Samnotra

Abstract:
In the present investigation, effect of high temperature on the commercial traits of twelve bivoltine silkworm breeds was studied at Silkworm Research Laboratory of SKUAST-Jammu during Spring 2022. The silkworm larvae were reared at recommended rearing conditions until 2^nd day of fifth instar. From 3^rd day onwards the larvae were divided into two batches and subjected to high temperatures viz., 30±1 °C and 35±1 °C for six hours, respectively every day until spinning, along with control batch which were reared at ambient temperature (25±1 °C). Highly significant differences were recorded in silkworm breeds in the treated groups with respect to larval weight, pupation rate and cocoon yield. On the basis of results recorded, four silkworm breeds i.e., U-3, U-4 and ND₅ were found having the potential for thermotolerance.