Validation of Consumption, Assimilation and Conversion Efficiency in Selected Bivoltine Silkworm Hybrids FC1 × FC2 and FC2 × FC1

Author: Suraksha Chanotra*, Avleen Kour, Muzafar Ahmad Bhat and Roopma Gandotra

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Abstract

Silkworm Bombyx mori (L.) is one of the most unique holometabolous insect known for production of most versatile silk protein. The growth rate pattern varies significantly from first to last day of the larval period. The current experiment was conducted to assess the exact quantum of food required by silkworm larvae in different instars. For quantification of food required various parameters like growth rate, ingestion and digestion of the larvae for different instars was studied. Selection of silkworm hybrid namely FC1 × FC2 and FC2 × FC1 was made on the basis of its practical demand in most of the bivoltine sericultural area of the country including Jammu and Kashmir. For the current experiment maximum larval growth was recorded during the 5th instar with respect to their weight and length. The data showed that there is logarithmical increase in the larval body weight and length until day 7th of the 5th instar. The maximum larval length was observed on 7th day to be 8.5cm in FC1 Ã

Keywords

Silkworm, ingesta, digesta, growth, conversion, cocoon, relationship

Conclusion

Results from the present experiment revealed that there is a strong correlation between the quality and quantity of feed supplied and amount of food utilized by the silkworm. Therefore, the silkworm feeding behaviour is found to be related with the morpho-physiological and biochemical attributes of mulberry leaf. The present investigation serves as an initiating point for rationalization of feed quantities for bivoltine silkworm rearing studies specifically under sub-temperate conditions. The results of the current study could be utilized for standardizing the exact amount of feed to be supplied to silkworm larvae during various days of larval instars.

References

INTRODUCTION Sericulture is the most important agro-based economic enterprise providing profit making opportunities to rural and marginal farmers (Chutia et al., 2014). Silkworm being monophagous insect feeds only on mulberry leaf because of the presence of morin pigment in addition to other compounds (Anonymous, 2013; Hotta, 2017). Food consumption and assimilation is influenced by various biotic and abiotic factors. Under different environment, feeding and nutritional conditions and with ingestion of the same amount of mulberry leaves, the silkworm shows significant difference in its ability to digest, absorb and convert food to body matter. Hence, influence of season, temperature, humidity on food intake, and assimilation and conversion efficiency of the Bombyx mori (L.) is significant. Consumption and assimilation were reported to be significantly higher among the silkworm reared with optimum temperature and humidity ranges, when compared with silkworm exposed to natural climatic

How to cite this article

Suraksha Chanotra, Avleen Kour, Muzafar Ahmad Bhat and Roopma Gandotra (2022). Validation of Consumption, Assimilation and Conversion Efficiency in Selected Bivoltine Silkworm Hybrids FC1 × FC2 and FC2 × FC1. Biological Forum – An International Journa