UTTAR PRADESH JOURNAL OF ZOOLOGY

Nutritive value of mulberry leaf is a key factor besides environment and technology adoption for better growth and development of the silkworm larvae. The present study deals with the effect of micronutrient supplemented mulberry leaves on the biochemical characteristics of PM´CSR₂ hybrid variety of mulberry silkworm, Bombyx mori fifth instar larvae. The field experiment was laid out in a randomized block design with twelve treatments including a control (T0 to T11), and the treatments were replicated thrice. Each treatment was supplemented with the desired quantity of the respective micronutrient in single or in combination. Twenty early Bombyx mori fifth instar larvae in plastic trays were used for each replicate of the respective treatment, and were fed with the 5-6 fully grown mature mulberry leaves (T0 to T11) twice a day (morning and evening). The amount of carbohydrate and protein present in haemolymph, silk gland, fat body and muscle, and the amount of lipid, trehalose and glycogen in haemolymph and fat body of the fifth instar larvae of control and treated group were estimated. Maximum carbohydrate content in the haemolymph, silk gland, fat body and muscle of the fifth instar Bombyx mori was observed in T9 (195.0 ±7.07mg/mL), both T8 and T9 (190 ±13.13mg/g), T8 (245.0 ±49.49mg/g) and T9 (152.5 ±16.6mg/g) respectively, and for the maximum protein content, the respective values were in T9 (158.0 ±31.11mg/mL), T9 (172.0 ±11.31mg/g), T8 (166.0 ±76.36mg/g) and T9 (195.0 ± 86.26mg/g). The maximum lipid, trehalose and glycogen in haemolymph was observed in T8 (5.96 ±1.40mg/mL), T3 (7.66 ±1.25mg/mL) and T5 (1.30 ±2.51mg/mg/mL) respectively, and for maximum content in fat body, the respective values were observed in T6 (16.87 ±1.20mg/mL), T9 (7.91 ±0.24mg/mL) and T8 (11.87 ±0.10mg/mL) Overall results of the present study emphasized that supplemented micronutrients in T9 (CuSO₄ 15Kg/ha + ZnSO₄ 15Kg/ha + FeSO₄ 30Kg/ha) followed by T8 (CuSO₄ 10Kg/ha + ZnSO₄ 10Kg/ha + FeSO₄ 20Kg/ha) positively influenced the biochemical characteristics of Bombyx mori fifth instar larvae.