Effect Of Mulberry Leaves Supplemented Maize Extract On The Growth Performance Of Silkworm (Bombyx Mori L)

Abstract

Since the couple of decades the demand for silk has been increasing day by day but the average silk production is not enough to meet its demand. In this study, we investigated the effect of with Maize extract in different concentration (0.5%,1.0 %,1.5 %,2.0%, 2.5 %)on the growth 5th stage silkworm larvae on the biological and commercial traits of Bombyx mori L. The silkworm larvae at 5th instar stage were taken and fed with fresh and healthy mulberry leaves coated with Maize extract in different concentration. Results of the current study revealed that the higher growth parameters of 5th stage silkworm larvae, the cocoon weight, shell weight, and shell ratio were increased, and thus improved the quality of silk as compared to the control. The commercial traits of larvae fed with Maize extract in different concentration leaves also improved significantly. The larvae fed with Maize extract in different concentration treated mulberry leaves showed the maximum cocoon weight, cocoon length, cocoon width, cocoon shell ratio and fibroin content as compared to the control group. It is evident from the results that the fed with Maize extract coated mulberry leaves have a positive effect on the commercial and biological traits of Bombyx mori (L.)