Boosting silkworm productivity: A study on the role of honey and jaggery in cocoon development and silk quality

Abstract

This study examines how different concentrations of honey and jaggery (1%, 2%, and 3%) affect vital cocoon parameters, silk yield, and silkworm rearing performance. The findings indicate that 3% honey and jaggery supplementation produced the best results across key metrics, including cocoon weight, shell weight, shell ratio, filament length, thread thickness (denier), and the effective rate of rearing (ERR). Silkworms fed with 3% honey achieved the highest cocoon weight (12.77±0.40 g), shell weight (2.97±0.15 g), and ERR (90.25±1.17%), while 3% jaggery supplementation resulted in the longest filament length (1161.00±58.28 m) and strong non-breakable filament durability (836.00±14.53 cm). Correlation analysis showed significant positive associations between traits such as cocoon weight, shell weight, filament length, denier, and ERR, emphasizing their interconnected role in silk yield. Regression analysis identified shell weight and pupal weight as critical positive contributors to ERR, while denier and larval length were observed to negatively influence rearing outcomes. Although the regression model's explanatory power was limited (R² = 0.1), the study highlights the substantial benefits of honey and jaggery supplementation, particularly at 3%, for improving silk quality and silkworm health. These results demonstrate the potential of nutrient-based interventions to enhance productivity in sericulture.