K. Etebari, M. Fazilati,
Volume 7, Issue 1 (4-2003)
Abstract
In order to investigate the effects of mineral compounds as complementary nutrients for silkworm, Bombyx mori, an experiment was performed in CRD with five treatments including: 1%, 5% and10% concentrations of multi-mineral mixtures (nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium) with normal and distilled water treatments as controls. The larvae were fed by mulberry leaves from Shien Ichenoise variety up to the fourth instar. From the beginning of the fourth instar, the supplementary leaves were used once a day. The supplementation of the leaves was done by spraying the solution on them. The amount of total protein and uric acid in haemolymph of a 6-day 5th instar larva was measured. The value of total protein compared to controls had significantly increased in all mineral treatments. The larvae's weight on the third day of the fifth instar had significant difference from controls, but the weight of silk gland did not show such a difference. However, uric acid of insect's blood demonstrated little differences but it showed no statistical significant differences from that in controlled insects. Despite this, the weight of cocoon, cocoon shell and pupa also had significant differences compared to controls, where this enhancement was higher in females than in males. Due to increase of the number of eggs, statistically there was a significant difference between the 10% treatment and others. The compounds had decreased the hatching percentage.
