Effect of mulberry genotypes on growth parameters of chawki silk worm (Bombyx mori L.)

Abstract

The first, second and third instar silkworm Bombyx mori were reared on MI-79, ME-52, S-36, S-13 and C-20. Twenty larvae were randomly selected in each replication of every treatment and weight in different instars. Silkworms nourished with leaves of MI-79 recorded higher larval weight in first, second and third instars (0.096, 0.388, 2.366 g/20 larvae) respectively. The first and second instar larval duration recorded minimum in the S-36 (3.73 days) and (2.96 days) followed by MI-79(3.96 days) and (3.06 days) respectively. However, the first instar larval duration found maximum in the larvae fed on S-13 (4.16 days) and second instar on ME-52(3.63 days). Third instar larval duration was minimum (3.93 days) and maximum (4.63 days) in ME-52 and C-20 respectively. First moulting found to be high in silkworms fed on C-20 (25.34 h) and minimum moulting duration found in MI-79(24.00 h) and the second moulting duration found high in the silkworms fed with MI-79. Among the studied genotypes MI-79 and S-36 found to be best suited for chawki silkworm rearing.