Growth and Economic Traits of Silkworm Bombyx mori L. Reared on Mulberry Leaves Fortified with Probiotics

Abstract

Silkworm larvae are economically important for silk production. Supplementation of mulberry leaves fed to silkworm, offer a new source of nutrients, which are reported to have great potential of protein supplementation. The purpose of the current study was to examine the growth and economic parameters of silkworm, Bombyx mori L. which was fed mulberry leaves with 1%, 3%, and 5% of commercial probiotic such as spirulina, azolla and soya milk from the fourth instar until cocooning. The outcomes showed that 3% soya milk enhanced the characteristics of the larval growth, survivability and economic parameters, like cocoon yield, cocoon weight, shell weight, shell ratio, filament length and reelability. The interaction of feed additives (probiotics) along with their concentrations indicated that soya milk at three per cent was superior for larval weight and commercial parameters.