COMPARATIVE STUDY ON VARIETAL QUALITY OF THE MULBERRY (MORUS ALBA KOIDS) AND THE SYSTEM OF FEEDING SILKWORM (BOMBYX MORI)

Abstract

Four thousand and five hundred newly hatched silkworm Chul x Thai 12 strain were subjected to a feeding experiment to compare the effects of a mulberry variety (Batac and Taiwan), feeding system (chopped, whole leaf, and branch with leaf) and some feed storage (no storage, 4, 8, 12, and 24-hour) on the performance of cocoon production over a 27-day period. All treatments with 3 replications were arranged in a 2 x 3 x5 factorial experiment in a completely randomized design.

Results showed no significant differences were noted in the average fresh weight per cocoon at 1.88 g and 1.71 g and dried weight per cocoon at 0.71 g and 0.69 g when fed in Batac and Taiwan mulberry varieties, respectively. Variety and feeding system showed no significant differences in fresh weight per cocoon at 1.72 g, 1.76 g and 1.90 g in chopped, whole leaf and branch with leaf respectively in both varieties.

The feed storage of 24 hours significantly lower the weights of fresh cocoon at 0.25 g compared to 2.14 g, 2.31 g, 2.12 g and 1.16 g in no storage, 4, 8, and 12-hour, respectively. The same trend was observed in dried cocoon weights in variety and feeding system.

Average cocoon shell ratio and mortality rate was highly significant in the 24-hour feed storage at 90.19% and 85.88% respectively. No significant differences were observed between feeding system and varieties.

Computed average yield per box of silkworm was obtained significantly higher at 37.66 kg when fed with Batac variety, as compared to 33.91 kg with the Taiwan variety. Variety and feeding system revealed no significant differences in yield per box of silkworm. However, the feed storage of 24-hour showed the lowest yield at 5.33 kg.