Adaptability and Comparative analysis of Economic and Biological Traits of various Silkworm Races (Bombyx mori L.)
Adaptability and Comparative analysis of Economic and Biological Traits of various Silkworm Races (Bombyx mori L.)
Muhammad Farooq Bhatti1, Hafiz Muhammad Tahir1*, Aamir Ali1, Hooria Ashraf Khan1, Rabia Fajar Ali2, Ayesha Muzamil1, Fariha Munir3, Fatima Ijaz1, Rizwan Khurshid3
ABSTRACT
Sericulture is a labor intensive cottage industry that has great potential for poverty alleviation. In Pakistan, the farming community so far has not identified the specific race suitable for the specific climatic zones of Pakistan in terms of yield, performance and adaptability. The current study was conducted to find out the optimum hatching and rearing conditions of three silkworm races (Chinese, Bulgarian and Pakistani) and to compare their biological and economic traits at optimum conditions. The silkworm eggs were hatched at a range of temperatures (21-30°C) and humidity levels of 75-80-% and 80-85% respectively. The silkworms hatched at optimal conditions were provided variable meals and the leaves consumption rate was calculated. In a separate experiment, the 5th instar silkworm larvae were assessed for biological and economic traits. The results of this study exhibited that Chinese silkworm eggs showed better hatchability at high temperatures. The larvae of the Chinese race also showed an increased leaf consumption rate with an increase in the number of meals (6) per day. Moreover, a significant increase in biological traits including average larval weight (0.979±0.038) and ratio silk gland to body weight (27.386 % ±0.843) was also observed in this group as compared to other groups. The economic traits including cocoon length and width as well as fibroin content of larvae of the Chinese race were significantly higher as compared to Pakistani and Bulgarian races. It is concluded that the Chinese silkworm showed better adaptation and produced a high yield in the local climatic conditions of Pakistan.
Novelty Statement | Sericulture is a declining cottage industry. One of the major limitation faced by the farmers is the availability of most appropriate silk seed that suits the local environmental conditions. This research study suggests that the silkworms of Chinese race are better adapted and produce more yield in local climatic conditions of Punjab, Pakistan.
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December 2023
Vol.38, Iss. 2, Pages 137-236
