Abstract

                                The present study aimed at increasing the cocoon yield by fortifying themulberry leaves with minerals such as zinc sulphate, magnesium sulphateand potassium chloride at different concentrations (10, 25, 50, 100 and200 ppm) and feeding them to the silkworm Bombyx mori L. The oralapplication of minerals through mulberry leaves to silkworm larva during lateage instars significantly improved its larval and cocoon economic parameters.Among the five concentrations tested, it was observed that the zinc sulphate@ 100 ppm, magnesium sulphate @ 200 ppm and potassium chloride @100 ppm registered significantly higher mature larval weight, effective rateof rearing (ERR), cocoon weight, pupal weight, shell weight and shell ratiothan the control. Per os administration of minerals also significantly reducedthe fifth instar larval duration of silkworm.

Key words : Zinc; magnesium; potassium; silkworm; economic parameters