Abstract: Growth and development of the mulberry silkworm, Bombyx mori L. are directly affected by environmental factors like photoperiod, temperature and humidity. Sufficient references on the implications of photoperiod on B. mori are available. However, information on the effect of temperature and humidity on Bombyx silkworm are scanty. The present communication probes into commercial cocoon characters of Bombyx mori as influenced by temperature and humidity conditions through multiple trait Evaluation Index (EI) method. Five temperature conditions (20, 25, 30, 35 and 40 °C) and five humidity conditions (RH; 50, 60, 70, 80 and 90%) were selected. Two popular silkworm hybrids (PM x CSR2, a multivoltine x bivoltine hybrid and CSR2 x CSR4, a bivoltine x bivoltine hybrid) were reared under the above temperature and humidity conditions separately, with LD 12: 12 photoperiodic condition till the end of cocoon harvest. Three cocoon economic characteristics; cocoon weight, shell weight and shell ratio (%) were evaluated under these enrolled temperature and humidity conditions through multiple trait Evaluation Index method. Based on the results on Evaluation Index (EI), it is established that EI values of all individual cocoon economic traits under different temperature and humidity conditions did not cross the fixed base value (50). EI values under certain temperature and humidity conditions crossed designated base value (EI > 50). When EI values for all cocoon economic traits are averaged, the EI values of all cocoon economic traits crossed (EI > 50) the earmarked base value under 25 °C and 80% RH conditions, indicating that these conditions (25 °C and 80% RH) are best suited for obtaining optimum cocoon economic characters for profitable commercial cocoon crop. The other temperature and humidity conditions did not promise for optimum cocoon economic traits as the average EI values are below designated base value (EI < 50).
Keywords: Mulberry silkworm, Bombyx mori, cocoon economic traits, temperature, humidity, Evaluation Index (EI).
Title: Evaluation of Cocoon Economic Traits of Mulberry Silkworm, Bombyx Mori L. Under Certain Temperature and Humidity Conditions through Multiple Trait Evaluation Index
Author: Lavanya Latha, K., Narasimhulu, P., Lakshminarayana Reddy, P., Sujatha, B., Sankar Naik, S.
International Journal of Life Sciences Research
ISSN 2348-313X (Print), ISSN 2348-3148 (online)
Vol. 11, Issue 3, July 2023 - September 2023
Page No: 63-71
Published Date: 26-August-2023
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