EFFECT OF PUPAL SOLUTIONS ON FEEDING BUDGET NITROGEN BUDGET AND WATER BUDGET OF MULBERRY SILKWORM, BOMBYX MORI L

The purpose of this study is to investigate the effect of mulberry leaves enriched with pupal solutions of mulberry silkworm Bombyx mori L. (BM) and Eligmma narcisus indica (EN)on feeding budget, nitrogen budget and water budget of mulberry silkworm Bombyx mori L. Among the fortification agents (1% BM solution; 1% EN solution) 1% pupal solution of B. mori appears to have a comparatively a greater stimulatory effect on growth rate and protein efficiency ratio. Assimilation efficiency (ASe) increased 13%; 18%; 20%; 10% and 14% increase in 1% BM fortification over control. Efficiency of conversion of ingested food (ECI) increased by 84% in fifth instar larvae. Maximum increase in Efficiency of conversion of digested food or net growth efficiency by 66% and 54% was observed in 1% BM and 1% EN fortification. When compared to control 1% EN solution showed 11% increase in PEE. Significant increase in nitrogen content in body tissue by 89% and 68% was observed in 1% BM and 1% EN solutions respectively.