Abstract
Bombyx mori silkworm exclusively feeds on Mulberry leaves. Larvae of Bombyx mori silkworm (SH₆ X NB₄D₂) were brushed on the leaves of K₂ and Goshoerami variety of Mulberry. After chawki rearing larvae were reared on 6 experimental treatments viz., T₁ (Goshoerami), T₂ (Goshoerami to S146), T₃ (Goshoerami to S1635), T₄ (K₂ to Goshoerami), T₅ (K₂ to S₁₆₃₅ and Control (K₂ to S₁₄₆,). The rearing was conducted at RSRS, Sahaspur during autumn 2008 and 2009 to find out the effect of different types of diets in the form of food plants on the growth and yield of silkworms. The larval period was almost similar. The larval weight was significantly lower in only T₁. The ERR was higher in T₃ followed by T₅. The shell weight was significantly and cocoon weight and SR% was insignificantly highest in T₅. The present investigations revealed that chawki rearing on Goshoerami and later rearing on S₁₆₃₅, was insignificant different for larval period, ERR and larval weight but significantly different for Cocoon weight, shell weight and SR% with the chawki rearing on K₂, and later rearing on S₁₆₃₅. Hence, Goshoerami may be utilized for chawki rearing in Uttarakhand. However, further studies are required to ascertain efficacy of Goshoerami variety as a suitable food plant for III crop during June-July in Uttarakhand by following all the package of practices for utilization.
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