Studying the performance of silkworm, Bombyx mori L. races fed with different mulberry varieties.

摘要

The performance of three silkworm (Bombyx mori L.) races viz; Chinese, Japanese and F1 (Korean) on three mulberry varieties (Husang China, Japan Early and Chinese Evergreen) was studied under laboratory conditions of 25+or-2 degrees C, 70+or-10% RH and 16:8 (L:D) photoperiod at Peshawar. The life cycle and mean size of full grown larvae, mean number of late moulters and cocoon shell ratio were greatly influenced by the nutritive value of the different mulberry varieties. The interaction between mulberry varieties and B. mori races was significant for the mean size of full grown larvae and cocoon shell ratio. The maximum size of full grown larvae (6.81 cm) and cocoon shell ratio (21.81%) was recorded in Chinese race fed with Husang China variety and minimum size of full grown larvae (5.57 cm) and cocoon shell ratio (18.60%) was recorded in F1 (Korean) race fed with Chinese Evergreen. The races and varieties individually were significantly different regarding size of full grown larvae and cocoon shell ratio. Similarly, there was significant interaction between the varieties and races for the mean number of late moulters. A minimum number of late moulters (8.5) were recorded in Chinese race x Husang China variety and maximum (28.5) in F1 (Korean) x Chinese Evergreen. Non-significant results regarding mean number of late moulters were recorded for B. mori races, while significant for mulberry varieties.