Assessing the rearing performance of Bombyx mori (Linnaeus, 1758) on two different mulberry species

The quality and quantity of silk produced are influenced by the types of mulberry leaves fed to the silkworms. The experiment was conducted at the Sericulture Unit, Department of Wildlife and Ecology, University of Veterinary and Animal Sciences (UVAS), Ravi Campus during February-March 2024. A randomized block design was used in three treatment groups. The data was collected on various growth parameters, developmental stages, survival rate, and cocoon weight. The main objective of the current research was to compare the rearing performance of silkworms (Bombyx mori) fed with Morus alba and Morus nigra under semi-controlled environmental conditions. Proximate analysis of mulberry leaves revealed that M. nigra have the highest crude protein (19.44 ± 0.24), gross energy (18.12 ± 0.09) and crude fat (7.16 ± 0.09) contents. The results revealed that the growth rate of silkworms was highest in the group fed with black mulberry (M. nigra) showing significantly higher weight and length at each instar as compared to those fed on white mulberry (M. alba) and mixed mulberry leaves. The survival rate of silkworms (Bombyx mori) during the experimental period varied among the different treatment groups. M. nigra fed silkworms showed the highest survival rate followed by mixed and M. alba fed group. The results showed that the heaviest cocoon was produced from the silkworms that were fed with M. nigra leaves (2.40 ± 0.14 g, p < 0.0001) and the lightest cocoon was produced with M. alba leaves (1.74 ± 0.11 g). The present study concluded that M. nigra has better nutritional profile, growth performance and cocoon production as compared to M. alba. It is recommended that, further studies should also explore the long term effectiveness of using M. nigra in sericulture including its economic viability and potential for large scale cultivation. Investigations into other mulberry species and their combinations should also be explored to provide valuable insights into improving silk production.Keywords: Morus alba, Morus nigra, Cocoon, Silkworm, Changa Manga forest, Proximate analysis