Efficiency of Natural Versus Chemical Bed Disinfectants on the Economic Characteristics and Rearing Capabilities of Mulberry Silkworms, Bombyx mori L.

Evaluating the effectiveness of different disinfectants against illnesses and their impact on the rearing performance of mulberry silkworms, (B. mori L.) were the goals of the current study. During spring of 2024, three plants were utilized. Cinnamomum verum bark, Zingiber officinale rhizomes and Ocimum basilicum leaves were dried and ground into a fine powder. To prepare different concentrations (5%, 10%, 15%, 20%, and 25%), slaked lime was utilized as a carrier. The results concluded that there are significant differences among the treatments and control. The disinfection by 25% of Cinnamomum verum gave the maximum reduction in fifth instar mortality (3.33%) and duration of larva (30.40 days). Also, Mulberry silkworm treatment with 25% Cinnamomum verum showed an excellent effective rate of rearing (79.00%) and cocooning percentage (95.82%). Furthermore, the perfect cocoon parameters appeared when utilizing a 25% disinfectant of Cinnamomum verum. Where they recorded 1.178 g, 0.219 g, and 18.59% for cocoon weight, cocoon shell weight, and cocoon shell ratio, respectively. In comparison, these parameters were 1.002 g, 0.169 g, and 16.87%, respectively, in the control.