Genetic variability and heritability of a few quantitative characters in Antheraea assamensis helfer - an indigenous Indian silkworm

Abstract

The estimation of heritability of important economic traits is regarded as one of the quickest means to get an insight into the depth of gene environment interactions. The genetic mechanism involved in the expression of various traits in Bombyx mori pure races and hybrids were studied through heritability studies by several workers [1-4]. The genotypic and phenotypic variability have been studied in some quantitative traits in tasar silkworms [5, 6]. Systematic breeding efforts on muga silkworm, Antheraea assamensis Helfer have so far been neglected. For starting any improvement breeding work, information about the genetic variability in the population is a prerequisite. Hence, an attempt was made to estimate genetic variability, heritability, genetic advance and correlation of a few traits in the available germplasm of muga silkworm.