Mulberry varieties for chawki rearing of Bombyx mori L. (Lepidoptera: Bombycidae) in subtropical conditions in India

Abstract

To identify best mulberry variety for chawkie rearing and its impact on economic characters of silkworm (Bombyx mori L.), experiments were conducted in three seasons viz., autumn -2019, spring -2020 and autumn- 2020, with six mulberry varieties (C-2038, Tr-23, PPR-1(S-140), S-1635, S-146 and G-2). Based on the weight of 10 mature larvae (g), cocoon yield by weight (kg), single cocoon weight (g), single shell weight (g) and shell ratio (%), S-1635 and S-140 (PPR-1) were found suitable for chawki rearing in sub-tropical conditions.