Effect of different mulberry cultivation forms on economic characters of Silkworm, Bombyx mori l.
Effect of different mulberry cultivation forms on economic characters of Silkworm, Bombyx mori l.
Sardar M. Rafique and Ghulam Ali Bajwa
ABSTRACT
Effect of bush, low cut and tree mulberry leaves was estimated on growth and economic cocoon characters of eight silkworm (Bombyx mori) strains The results revealed that different mulberry cultivation forms significantly influenced silkworm growth and cocoon characters Maximum (3 11g) per larva body weight gain, absolute body weight (3 06g) increment, daily body weight (0 23g) increment and growth rate (34 78%) was recorded on low cut while minimum body weight (1 86g) gain, absolute body weight (1 81g) increment, daily body weight (0 15g) increment, and growth rate (30 12%) on bush Similarly, the highest (1 14g) single cocoon weight, single cocoon shell weight (0 26g) and cocoon shell ratio (25 47%) was on low cut. In addition, effect of mulberry cultivation forms, racial difference among silkworm strains was also observed Maximum growth rate, single cocoon weight, single cocoon shell weight and cocoon shell ratio was recorded in 206-MKD, 206-MKD, 206-PO, and C-102, respectively Chemical analysis of leaf showed varied nutritive value with cultivation forms. Moisture (70.55%) and total protein (25.13%) contents were highest in low cut On the other hand, more total carbohydrates (60.81%) and minerals (15.15%) were found in tree followed by bush However, no single cultivation form gave all the nutrients at the highest level. High growth rates, single cocoon & cocoon shell weight and cocoon shell ratio on low cut reflected positive effect of high moisture and protein contents Based on these findings it is recommended that silkworm (B. mori) should be reared on low cut mulberry leaves for better growth and silk production.
Keywords: Silkworm, Bombyx mori, Mulberry, Morus alba, Cultivation forms, Growth, Cocoon character, Strains.
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June 2003
Vol. 53, Iss. 2
