A STUDY OF VARIATIONS IN THE E.R.R. AND OTHER REARING PERFORMANCES OF MUTANT STRAINS OF INDIAN TASAR SILKWORM

This Research Article is an effort to study the relative variations in respect of rearing performances and to study the impacts of zonal differences on the productivity and qualities of tasar cocoons of three mutant strains viz; Daba–blue, Daba–yellow and Daba–almond of tasar silk worm, A. mylitta D. Results obtained are indicative of the fact that the three mutant strains of Tasar Silk Worm differ among themselves in respect of their rearing performances. The performances of Daba–blue in respect of rearing performances have been found evidently better than the Daba–yellow and Daba–almond. Further, zonal differences influence the relative performances of mutant strains of Antheraea mylitta D in respect of productivity and quality of tasar cocoons. The results have clearly shown that the productivity and quality of tasar cocoons of Jharkhand and Madhya Pradesh zones are relatively better and superior to Orissa, West Bengal and Bihar Zones of tasar producing states. The performances of Daba–blue in respect of productivity and qualities of tasar cocoons have been found evidently better than the Daba–yellow and Daba–almond. The results obtained appear to be the outcome of genetic variability among the three mutant strains of A. mylitta D. on account of relative differences in their physio–genetic makeup. Results obtained are indicative of the fact all the three mutant strains of A. mylitta D. in spite of relative differences have registered their supremacy over the control (Daba–green) on account of desired beneficial mutation in relation to their breeding activities. Thus the evolution of three distinct mutant strains of tropical tasar silkworm is in the larger interest of tasar culture.