Impact of oral administration of phytoecdysteroid containing plant extract of Chenopodium album on larval growth performance of silkworm, Bombyx mori l

Abstract

The oral administration of phytoecdysteroid containing plant extract of Chenopodium album were tested against III, IV and Vth instar larvae of silkworm for improving the larval growth performance of silkworm, Bombyx mori L. The various concentration (1.0%, 1.5%, 2.0%, 2.5% and 3.0%) of isolated phytoecdysteroid containing plant extract of Chenopodium album were administered to III, IV and Vth instars silkworm with mulberry. The larval growth index was influenced by plant extract containing phytoecdysteroid. The intensity of influence was depending on the time and dose exposure. The larval growth performance were highly effective at 2.5% concentration. The mean larval weights, relative growth rate of final instar larva of Bombyx mori were also increased with this supplementation of plant extract over the control. In the present study the plant extract of Chenopodium album have growth promoting effect in silkworm which helps to improve the cocoon performance in Bombyx mori.