Enhancing Silkworm (Bombyx mori L.) Larval Survivability Through Spermidine Supplementation
Neha Sudan *
Division of Sericulture, Sher-e-Kashmir University of Agricultural Sciences and Technology Jammu, J&K, India.
Magdeshwar Sharma
Division of Entomology, Sher-e-Kashmir University of Agricultural Sciences and Technology Jammu, J&K, India.
R. K. Gupta
Division of Entomology, Sher-e-Kashmir University of Agricultural Sciences and Technology Jammu, J&K, India.
Kamlesh Bali
Division of Sericulture, Sher-e-Kashmir University of Agricultural Sciences and Technology Jammu, J&K, India.
*Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Abstract
The silkworm, Bombyx mori L., is a species of great economic significance since it is essential to the manufacture of silk. Improving silkworms' growth, survival rates, and silk yield throughout their larval stages requires increasing their food intake. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the effects of adding spermidine to mulberry leaves on Bombyx mori L. larvae survival. The experimental groups in this experiment were given mulberry leaves treated with different doses of spermidine, such as Spd 25, 50, 75, and 100 µM. The larvae were separated into control and experimental groups. The findings demonstrated that larvae fed leaves laced with spermidine had higher survival rates than the control group. However, compared to the control group, the treated group's mortality rate was decreased. These findings indicate that spermidine could be a useful nutritional enhancement in sericulture, promoting better larval health and increased silk production.
Keywords: Silkworm, survival, spermidine, Bombyx mori, mulberry