Effect of Malabar Neem (Melia dubia) leaf extract on the fecundity, incubation period and hatchability of mulberry Silkworm Bombyx Mori Linn

Abstract

The mulberry silkworm Bombyx mori L is one of the most economically significant insects because it produces silk that disrupts several crucial sectors. Silkworm illnesses, including those caused by viral, bacterial, fungal, and protozoan pathogens, have a significant impact on cocoon production. The use of botanicals is thought to be a crucial way to manage silkworm illnesses since the greatest cocoon loss is caused by bacterial and fungal pathogens acting independently. The nutritious meal that mulberry silkworms consume during their youth is utilized in the season of medicating agricultural crops throughout the agrotechnics of mulberry silkworm care by farms, clusters, and specialized farms involved in cocooning in our nation. The 'Maha neem', or Malabar Neem (Melia dubia), is known from ancient literature as a plant with therapeutic and spiritual properties. Maha neem is highly valued for its therapeutic benefits and is an important component of Hindu spiritual rituals. It is extensively used in Ayurveda, Unani, Greek, and Roman medicine. Since silk is a premium commodity with a high demand, improving the quality of silk Fiber is of utmost importance in sericulture. The impact of adding ethanolic extracts of Malabar Neem (Melia dubia) to mulberry leaves on the development, incubation, and hatchability rate of silkworms (Bombyx mori L.) is examined in this study, notably during the egg and egg-laying stage. In comparison to the control group, the supplementation markedly enhanced the incubation time of silkworm eggs and the hatchability of silkworm eggs during the emergence of the first instar larva from the silkworm egg (DFLs). The 5% ethanolic extract showed the most noticeable results when compared to the other concentrations tested. The better incubation and hatchability features of silkworms fed mulberry leaves supplemented with phytochemicals suggested that Malabar Neem extract may be used as a natural growth promoter in sericulture. This study emphasizes the promise of supplementing Malabar Neem as a sustainable, affordable organic agro based method for boosting silkworm production and silk quality, hence benefiting the sericulture industry.