Fortification of mulberry leaves with indigenous probiotic bacteria on larval growth and economic traits of silkworm (Bombyx mori l.)

The feeding of nutritionally enriched leaves provide better growth and development of silkworm larvae, as well as directly influence the quality and quantity of silk production. Probiotic are viable, non-pathogenic microorganisms which when administered in adequate amounts, confer a health benefit on the host. Hence the present study was aimed at investigating rearing and economic parameters of the silkworm bivoltine double hybrid (CSR6 x CSR26) x (CSR2 x CSR27) fed on mulberry leaves fortified with Staphylococcus gallinarum strain SWGB 7 and Staphylococcus arlettae strain SWGB 16. Among the treatments, Staphylococcus gallinarum Strain SWGB 7 (108 cfu/ml) recorded maximum larval weight (4.12 g), effective rate rearing (96.36 %), cocoon weight (1.97 g), shell weight (0.37 g), pupal weight (1.60 g), shell ratio (18.78 %), silk productivity (4.81 g), filament length (1170.84 m), filament weight (0.31 g) and finer denier (2.38) besides reduced larval mortality (3.64 %) due to disease incidence compared to control. The outcome of the study indicated that, there is profound increase due to probiotic treatment in larval growth and cocoon characters than the control with enhanced immunity and quality silk production.