EFFECT OF MULTIPLE MATING OF (SK6 X SK7): A NEWLY EVOLVED BIVOLTINE HYBRD ON GRANAGE PERFORMANCE FOR SUSTAINABLE MULTI X BI DFL PRODUCTION IN WEST BENGAL

Multiple mating ability of male moths of (SK6 x SK7): a newly evolved bivoltine hybrid upto 4 times was investigated in 5 seasons viz. Baisakhi (March), Shravani (June), Ashwina (August), Agrahayani (October) and Falgooni (January) by crossing with newly evolved multivoltine (MV) breed, M.Con.4 and traditional multivoltine breed, Nistari. Nistarix NB4D2 - the popular Multix Bi cross breed of tropical region was kept as control. Pooled data of recovery of disease free layings (DFLs) obtained in 5 seasons reveal that DFLs produced by M.Con.4 x (SK6 x SK7) and Nistari X (SK6 X SK7) are significantly higher than the DFLS produced by M.Con.4 x NB4D2 and also Nistarix NB4D2. Hatching percentage was found highest in DFLs obtained from 1" mating, 2" mating, mixed DFLs followed by 3" and 4" matings of both of the male components of bivoltine crossed with M.Con.4 and Nistari. Based on these findings exploitation of male components of (SK6 x SK7) can be recommended for commercial cross breed DFL production under tropical condition as above bivoltine hybrid has more tolerance capacity than pure bivoltine breed in fluctuating environmental condition of the tropical region during seed crop rearing.