ChikkalingaiahSAPNA, J. S.2023-01-112023-01-112021-12-09Th-13014https://krishikosh.egranth.ac.in/handle/1/5810191813The study was conducted to evaluate combining ability for growth, quality and yield parameters in twenty one mulberry crosses obtained by crossing seven lines with three testers in line x tester design. Analysis revealed that presence of higher magnitude of SCA variance than GCA variance for most of the characters indicating presence of nonadditive gene action. Among seven lines, M. cathyana, MI-47, M. laevigata, MI-494 were best general combiners during winter, M. indica, M. multicaulis, M. laevigata, M. cathyana and MI-494 were best general combiners during summer. Among testers V1, MI-66 were best general combiners. Among twenty one crosses, BC-259 × MI-66, M. indica × MI-66, M. laevigata × V1 and M. indica × C-776 were best performers with high SCA effects. Biochemical analysis conducted for six mulberry crosses. Results revealed that maximum nitrogen (3.70 %), crude protein (23.10 %) in M. cathyana × C- 776, potassium (1.71 %), in MI-47 × MI- 66, crude fibre (9.51 %) and ash (9.79 %) in MI-47 × V1 and rest of the parameters were found maximum in check V1. Bioassay was conducted on silkworm double hybrid FC1 × FC2. Mean rearing performance of silkworms fed with leaves of MI-47 × V1 recorded maximum larval weight (26.18 g/10 larvae), cocoon weight (1.93 g), pupal weight (1.44 g), shell weight (0.39 g), shell ratio (20.40 %), ERR (90.67 %), silk productivity (4.06 cg/day) and minimum larval duration (26.87 days) in silkworms fed with leaves of M. cathyana × C-776 compared to other crosses under study.EnglishThesis