Optimizing Preservation Duration of Mulberry Silkworm Crossbreed Eggs in Cold Storage

Author: Y. Surjalata Devi, Anil Kumar Verma, Chandrakanth Nalavadi, Anowar Hossain and Biplab Pramanick

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Abstract

This study aimed to evaluate the impact of extended cold storage on the hatching percentage and rearing performance of hybrid silkworm eggs (Bombyx mori L.). Disease-Free Egg Layings (DFLS) of different multi × bi hybrids were subjected to cold storage at 2.5°C for varying durations. The results indicated that up to 75 days of storage, the hatching percentage remained above 90%. Notably, 21Y × (B.Con.1 × B.Con.4) exhibited 88% hatching rate even at 85 days, alongside 12Y × (B.Con.1 × B.Con.4), which demonstrated stable and consistent hatching performance across different storage periods. Performance across all breeds was optimal at 65 days of cold storage, with significantly better quantitative traits compared to normal cold storage conditions. Traits such as single cocoon weight (SCW), single shell weight (SSW), effective rate of rearing by weight, and pupation rate showed significant at the 1% level at 65 days of storage. These findings suggest that controlled cold storage can effectively maintain high hatching rates and rearing performance, providing a potential solution for stabilizing seed supply in sericulture

Keywords

Multi × Bi, Cold storage, Disease free Layings, Hatching percentage, Sericulture

Conclusion

The present investigation provides critical insights into the development of extended cold storage protocols for the preservation of mulberry silkworm eggs, aiming to ensure a continuous and reliable supply of Disease-Free Layings (DFLs) to silkworm rearers. Among the hybrids evaluated, 12Y × (B.Con.1 × B.Con.4) and 21Y × (B.Con.1 × B.Con.4) exhibited superior viability during extended storage, whereas N(P) × (SK6 × SK7) demonstrated the greatest decline in egg viability. Based on the experimental results, it is concluded that cold storage duration can be extended by an additional 45 days beyond the conventional 20-day protocol achieving up to 65 days of storage without causing a significant reduction in hatching percentage

References

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How to cite this article

Y. Surjalata Devi, Anil Kumar Verma, Chandrakanth Nalavadi, Anowar Hossain and Biplab Pramanick (2024). Optimizing Preservation Duration of Mulberry Silkworm Crossbreed Eggs in Cold Storage. Biological Forum – An International Journal, 16(8): 349-356