Impact of serimore, a plant based growth promoter on haemolymph constituents and economic traits of silkworm double hybrid

Abstract

Ecdysone and Juvenile hormones play a vital role in growth and development of silkworm (Bombyx mori L) by stimulatory metamorphosis and regulating ecdysis. Silkworm hormonal activities can be regulated with exogenous application of growth regulator. Serimore is a plant extract based silkworm growth regulator developed by CSRTI, Mysore. The study was undertaken to find out the impact of serimore application on haemolymph protein content, protease activity and economic traits in silkworm double hybrid FC1 x FC2. 0.2% serimore was topically administered as a single dose over the 5th instar larvae at 48 h (T1) and 72 h (T2) after ecdysis. Control batch (T0) was maintained without serimore application. Protein content in haemolymph was significantly enhanced under T1 in comparison to T2 and T0. In 48 h of treatment (T1), there was significant improvement in the cocoon weight, shell weight, filament length over to that of T2 and T0. Thus, results clearly revealed that application of 0.2% serimore at 48 h of 5th instar silkworm double hybrid could help to enhance the silk cocoon productivity in sericulture.