Efficacy of botanical extracts on the management of Muscardine disease of silkworm, Bombyx mori L. caused by Beauveria bassiana, (Bals) Vuill.

Present study was conducted against white muscardine disease by utilizing locally available botanicals viz., Ficus carica, Datura stramonium and Vitis vinifera. The findings revealed that out of the three botanicals screened for their efficacy against the disease, Ficus carica was found most effective as compared to Vitis vinifera and Datura stramonium with a maximum larval survival of 79.9%. The interaction effect of botanicals and concentrations was found highest (84.2%) in Ficus carica at 20% concentration and minimum (70.8%) was recorded in Vitis vinifera at 10% concentration. Studies also reveal that with the increase in concentration of the botanicals the overall effect on results has also increased. The present study has revealed that the locally available botanicals have significant anti fungal activity. All the three botanicals under study can be utilized successfully in the management of white muscardine disease of silkworm depending on their local availability in the area of sericulture.