Effect of Methanolic Extracts of Marine Algae Fortified to Mulberry Leaves on the Larval Characters and Economic Parameters of Silkworm (Bombyx mori L.)

Effect of algal extract on silk producing potential of bivoltine hybrid race of mulberry silkworm, Bombyx mori was studied. Experiments were performed by 500 and 1000 ppm concentration of methanolic extract obtained from green marine algae viz., Ulva lactuca, Ulva fasciata, Enteromorpha compressa and Chaetomorpha littorea. Among the concentration, 1000 ppm of U. lactuca were showed maximum larval weight (4.46 g), cocoon weight (2.03 g), shell weight (0.42 g) and shell ratio (19.16%), respectively compared to other algae. Treatment of algal extract dipped with mulberry leaves, if applied tactfully, may be useful for boosting up the sericulture industry as well as the economy of silkworm rearing.