Application of plant extract based ayurvedic medicines with feed to the silk worm Bombyx mori L. nistari race to assess its effect on cocoon production

摘要

The effect of 2 plant extract-based ayurvedic medicines, i.e. 'amlaki rasayan' and 'dasamularista' and leaf extract of tulsi (Ocimum sanctum [Ocimum tenuiflorum]) application with feed were investigated on growth, development and cocoon production of mulberry silkworm, B. mori Nistari variety. Experiment I was done with supplementation of 'amlaki rasayan' as spray-dried on mulberry leaves feed to silkworm. It was found that larval weight, cocoon weight, shell weight, shell ratio and fecundity per female and hatching percentage increased in commercial concentration of 100% solution. But when these medicines were diluted to 10 and 50% with distilled water, cocoon weight, shell weight, shell ratio decreased. Experiment II conducted with 'dasamularista' medicine supplementation showed larval weight, cocoon weight, shell weight, increased in commercial concentration and at lower concentration of 10 and 50% dilution; larval duration decreased and fecundity per female varied, but pupation and hatching percentage increased. Experiment III conducted with leaf extract of tulsi in 90% alcohol with feed in spray-dried condition showed that all the larvae were dead within 5 days. It had repellant action on the silkworm, which caused death due to fasting. Thus, it cannot be recommended as food supplement. However, 'amlaki rasayan' and 'dasamularista' can be recommended for better cocoon production in commercial or dilute solution as food supplement to silkworm.