Silkworm Genetics laboratory was established in 1983 to carry out genetical studies to support silkworm breeding. In this direction, the Section has taken up studies useful for silkworm breeding with regard to understanding of hardiness in silkworm by analyzing biochemical parameters related with survival, thermo-tolerance, disease resistance etc. Digestive amylase was identified as an excellent marker for silkworm breeding in view of its genetic divergence, its role in better digestibility and close association with survival. Using the new strategy of molecular marker assisted selection ( MAS), the new productive bivoltine hybrid, GEN3 x GEN2 has been evolved by introgressing high activity amylase genes from the polyvoltine donors into the genetic background of productive bivoltine breeds. Field testing of 70,000 dfls of this hybrid with the farmers of Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh and Tamil Nadu states has recorded an average yield of 63kg/100 dfls. The laboratory has also developed NPV tolerant bivoltine hybrids which are under on-farm trials. The section is also maintaining morphological marker stocks representing 22 linkage groups in silkworm.

• Generate genetical information to support silkworm breeding.
• Detection and characterization of genes controlling robustness, thermo-tolerance, disease resistance, yield traits etc.
• Identification of useful genetic markers linked to fitness & productivity traits.
• Design and formulate new breeding strategies to assist silkworm breeder.
• Maintenance and characterization of genetic stocks.

Qualitative and quantitative assay of digestive amylase

Development of productive bivoltine hybrid GEN3 x GEN2 through molecular marker assisted selection.

Few of the morphological marker stocks maintained in the laboratory

1. Identification of genetic markers associated with genes controlling fitness and productivity traits.
2. Evolution and evaluation of robust bivoltine breeds through marker assisted selection.

• Qualitative and quantitative assay of enzymes in silkworm.
• Amylase enzyme marker assisted selection in silkworm breeding.
• Maintenance of morphological marker stocks in silkworm.

1. Evaluation and on-farm trials of single and double hybrids with high amylase activity and thermo-tolerance ( CSB Project Code No: AIG 3438).
2. Maintenance of breeds developed through amylase marker assisted selection, NPV tolerance and morphological mutant stocks (Institute Project Code No: SIM 0011).
3. nheritance analysis of bimodal emergence pattern in Pure Mysore and its introgression into evolved polyvoltine breeds ( Institute Project Code No: SIM 0012).

• Training on maintenance of silkworm genetic marker stocks.
• Supply of layings of promising breeds to different DOS and CSB units.

1. Rearing house with facilities to carry out rearing of silkworm stocks.
2. Laboratory with electrophoresis units, HPLC/FPLC systems.

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