Application of Parental Selection for Productivity Improvement in Tropical Tasar Silkworm Antheraea mylitta Drury-A Review

摘要

In spite of huge availability of nature grown tropical tasar silkworm food plants and rural tribal man power, the tasarculture and raw silk production is yet to attain the potential. The reason being the inadequacy of prospective commercial silkworm seed and breed options, and the urgent need is a coherent application of existing parental races by effective selection. The global demand for vanya silks in general and tasar silk in particular, call-for sustainable utilization of country's seri-biodiversity potential. Viability and productivity proportion of tasarculture in terms of seeds, cocoons and essentially raw silk, need attention for its vital role in reforming the livelihood and economic condition of rural, backward and tribal farmers. The conventional approaches on basic stock maintenance, commercial seed production, selective use of parental races or parents for heterosis and heterobeltiosis, method of backcrossing to exploit the traits of commercial importance and applying the advantage ofGenotypexEnvironment (GxE) interactions are indispensable. In spite of current knowledge on sophisticated transgenic silkworm, appropriate application of on-hand parental resource material and methodologies can expedite tasar silk productivity improvement in addition to up-keep the agro based cottage industry's cost-effectiveness and biodiversity conservation. The review deals with the current situation and probable strategies for enhancing the productivity and quality of tasar raw silk.