Journal of Basic and Applied Research International

Mulberry leaves alone provide the silkworm, Bombyx mori, a monophagous lepidopteran insect, with the nutrients it needs for growth and development. Although the nutrients in mulberry leaves meet the nutritional needs of silkworms, the amount of nutrients varies based on the mulberry kinds, crop protection techniques, environmental factors, and fertilizer use in the field. Experimental evidence consistently shows that fortification of mulberry leaf with vitamin C, B-complex vitamins or minerals viz., Zn significantly improves larval parameters, feed efficacy, silk gland development and cocoon productivity in silkworm, Bombyx mori. The reviewed investigation reveals that supplementing silkworms with 0.2% Vitamin C or 0.5% Riboflavin (B-complex vitamin) led to significant improvements in larval growth, feed efficiency and cocoon quality. Between Vitamin C and Vitamin E, fortification of mulberry leaves with 1% Vitamin C produced the most pronounced gains in both larval and cocoon traits. Additionally, orally administering 50 µg/mL of a potassium and magnesium chloride solution to silkworm larvae increased fat body glycogen by 26%, haemolymph trehalose by 20%, fat body protein by 15%, haemolymph protein by 78%, and fat body total lipids by 27%. Zinc treatment at 136 mg/kg considerably improved all larval and cocoon parameters that were assessed. Finally, silkworms fed mulberry leaves fortified with a combination of zinc chloride, pyridoxine, and methoprene at a concentration of 2 µg/mL showed improvements in both quantitative and qualitative economic parameters, including silk yield, cocoon weight, shell weight, and shell ratio. During the fifth instar, moderate supplementation levels yield the best results. But large-scale deployment necessitates paying close attention to scheduling, cost, farmer acceptance, and focus.