Evaluation of mulberry accessions for rearing performance and economic traits of silkworm (Bombyx mori. L)

Abstract

Twenty four mulberry accessions viz., MI-0017, MI-0034, MI-0349, MI-0395, MI-0425, MI-0490, MI- 0497, MI-0535, MI-0536, MI-0543, MI-0558,MI-0613, MI-0615,MI-0651, MI-0652, MI-0658, MI-0663, MI-0677, MI-0685, MI-0686, MI-0718, MI-0763, MI-0768, MI-0845 along with V-1(check variety) were evaluated for leaf quality using double hybrid (CSR 6 X CSR 26) X (CSR 2 X CSR 27) silkworm at the Department of Sericulture, Forest College and Research Institute, Mettupalayam during 2017-18. Results revealed that, silkworm larvae reared on MI-0615 leaves recorded the highest larval weight (34.23 g), cocoon weight (16.8 g), single shell weight (4.2 g), shell ratio (25 %), silk filament length (995.47 m), less denier (2.27) and silk productivity (4.73 cg/day). Accession MI-0495 recorded the lowest larval weight (26.35 g), cocoon weight (13.8 g), shell weight (2.9 g), shell ratio (19.74 %), pupal weight (10.00 g), silk filament length (812.83 m), less denier (2.80) and silk productivity (3.52 cg/day). Standard check V1 recorded 30.10 g of larval weight, 15.5 g of cocoon weight, 3.6 g of shell weight, 23.22 percent of shell ratio, 15.78 g of pupal weight, 875.30 m of filament length, 2.20 of denier and 4.00 cg/day of silk productivity. Among the twenty four mulberry accessions tested for leaf quality, MI-0615 was found to be superior in terms of imparting better larval rearing and cocoon economic parameters.