Influence of zinc fortification on egg production efficiency in CSR breeds of silkworm, bombyx mori l.

Raising of mulberry leaf with balanced nutrients is a pre-requisite in stabilizing the silkworm seed crops to produce quality cocoons. Zinc plays a major role in reproductive activities of silkworms. Literature available indicates that there is deficiency of Zinc in mulberry leaf required by the silkworm in tropical conditions. During present study, leaf fortification was done with Zinc in 3 doses during fifth age. Leaf was fortified once in a day with 1.5 mg (T1), 3.00 mg (T2) and 5.00 mg (T3) doses per 300 larvae dissolved in tap water. V1 mulberry variety and popular breeds CSR2 & CSR4 were used for the study. Seed crop rearing was done at standard methods. Rearing and grainage parameters were recorded and analyzed statistically. Two controls were maintained i.e. with water spray (C1) and without water spray (C2). Data revealed significant variation in larval weight (39.83g – 40.90g), ERR (90.48% - 95.63%), cocoon weight (1.62g - 1.70g), pupation (89.53% - 93.88%), moth emergence (86.32% - 91.58%) and egg recovery (55.78g - 68.32g) between control and treated batches. The seed quality was improved significantly in treated batches of T1 and T2. The study confirmed that the leaf fortification with Zinc improved seed crop performance and quality seed production.