Global Journal of Biology, Agriculture & Health Sciences

Abstract

EFFECT OF FOLIAR APPLICATION OF ESSENTIAL NUTRIENTS ON THE REARING PERFORMANCE OF OAK TASAR SILKWORM DURING SUMMER CROP

Ritwika Sur Chaudhuri, S. Subharani, N. Ibotombi Singh, L. Bidyapati Devi & A.K. Sinha

In Oak Tasar culture, one of the main reasons for failure of summer crop is lack of quality leaves for rearing. Foliar application of urea and micronutrients was administered at standard doses to the under-surface of Quercus serrata leaves to study the comparative performance of Antheraea proylei silkworms fed on those leaves during summer season. Results indicated that the larvae fed with 1.5% urea-treated leaves performed best with respect to rearing and cocoon parameters with 34.7% E.R.R. followed by 3% micronutrient treatment which showed 29% E.R.R as against control. There was a significant improvement in the growth rate and a subsequent reduction in larval duration by 3 days in case of urea-treatment. There is a further need to assess seasonal changes in chemical composition of food plants, so as to provide optimal nutrition to the Oak Tasar silkworms, which will help in improving the productivity of Oak Tasar industry.

Published Date: 2017-01-10;