2016, Vol. 4, Issue 3, Part C

author(s)
Vitthalrao B khyade

abstract
The present attempt was to screen the changes in the cocoon parameters; silk filament parameters and activities of biochemical reactions catalyzed by the midgut enzymes fifth instar larvae of silkworm fed with mulberry leaves treated with aqueous solution of seed powder of Cowpeas (Vigna unguiculata). The cowpea seed powder was dissolved in distilled water and diluted to 2.5%, 5%, 7.5%, and 10% concentrations. Fresh mulberry leaves were dipped in each concentration of aqueous solution of cowpea seed powder for half an hour. 1000 ml solution was used for 100 grams of mulberry leaves. Treated mulberry leaves were drained off completely and then used for feeding. The mulberry leaves were fed five times per day at the rate of 100 grams per 100 larvae for each time. Untreated group of larvae were feed with untreated mulberry leaves. Water treated group of larvae were feed with water treated mulberry leaves. The experimental groups of larvae were feed with feed separately with 2.5 percent cowpea treated; 5.00 percent cowpea treated; 7.5 percent cowpea treated and 10.00 percent cowpea treated mulberry leaves. Treating the mulberry leaves with various concentrations of aqueous solutions of cowpea seed powder and feeding to the fifth instar larvae of multivoltine cross breed race of silkworm, Bombyx mori (L) was found reflected into significant improvement in the weight of cocoon (31.862 Percentages); cocoon shell weight (52.336 percentages); pupal weight (26.336 percentages) and shell ratio. There was significant improvement in the silk filament length (00.323 percentages); silk filament weight (21.317 percentages) and denier scale of silk filament. Midgut enzymes (Protease, Amylase, Trehalase, Sucrase and Urease) were found influenced through treating mulberry leaves with cowpea seed powder and feeding to the fifth instar larvae of multivoltine cross breed race of silkworm, Bombyx mori (L) (Race: PM x CSR2). The contents of cowpea seeds may be associated with improvement in the growth and development through increased pattern of protein turn over and overall metabolism.