Effect of Phytofortified Mulberry Leaves on the Growth and Development of Silkworm (Bombyx mori L.)
Asma Khursheed
College of Temperate Sericulture, Mirgund, SKUAST-K, India.
Masarat Bashir *
College of Temperate Sericulture, Mirgund, SKUAST-K, India.
S. Farhat Iqbal Qadri
College of Temperate Sericulture, Mirgund, SKUAST-K, India.
K. A. Sahaf
College of Temperate Sericulture, Mirgund, SKUAST-K, India.
N.A Ganie
College of Temperate Sericulture, Mirgund, SKUAST-K, India.
Shaheena Nagoo
College of Temperate Sericulture, Mirgund, SKUAST-K, India.
Nazaqat Hashim
College of Temperate Sericulture, Mirgund, SKUAST-K, India.
Munazah Yaqoob
Division of Entomology, Faculty of Agriculture, SKUAST-K, India.
Shakeel Ahmad Mir
Division of Agriculture Statistics, Shalimar, SKUAST-K, India.
*Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Abstract
The nutritional quality of mulberry (Morus spp.) leaves plays an important role in the growth and development of the silkworm, Bombyx mori L. The present study was conducted at the College of Temperate Sericulture, SKUAST-K, Mirgund during spring 2022, to evaluate the influence of phytofortified mulberry leaves on larval growth parameters. Mulberry leaves were fortified with botanical extracts of soybean (Glycine max), groundnut (Arachis hypogaea), and dandelion (Taraxacum officinale) at concentrations of 2%, 4%, and 6%. These fortified leaves were administered to CSR2 × CSR4 hybrid silkworms during the 4th and 5th instar. Results showed significant improvement in larval weight, reduced larval period, lower mortality, enhanced growth index, and increased silk gland weight compared to control batches. Among treatments, Glycine max at 2% concentration recorded the best performance, with maximum larval weight (4.40 g), shortest larval period (628 hrs), minimum mortality (1.066%), highest growth index (4.170), and silk gland weight (1.653 g). The findings demonstrate that phytofortification of mulberry leaves is an effective approach to enhance larval development and establish a foundation for higher cocoon productivity.
Keywords: Bombyx mori, larval growth, mulberry, phytofortificationp, silk gland, sericulture