Feeding is the most important factor in silkworm rearing, as it has a direct impact on growth and development of worms. Silkworm requires feed five times a day at an interval of five hours. However, the rearers of J&K state feed the worms two times only, resulting in lower cocoon yield. Feeding of quality mulberry leaves has a great impact on biology and physiology of silkworm Bombyx mori L. The study revealed 3 feedings per day was statistically at par with 4 feedings in terms of various parameters including larval survival percentage . ± for 3 feedings and ± for 4 feedings, larval weight ± a for 3 feedings and ± for 4 feedings, cocoon yield ± by wt. and ± by no. for 3 feedings and ± by wt. and ± , single cocoon wt. ± g for 3 feeds and ± for 4 feeds, single shell weight was recorded as ± and ± for 3 and 4 feeds respectively. Shell ratio percentage was recorded as ± and ± respectively for 3and 4 feeds. However, total filament lengths m and m, non-breakable filament lengths m and m and filament size d and d for 3 and 4 feeds respectively. From this experiment it can safely be concluded that three feedings are obligatory for obtaining successful cocoon crop at field level. | Effect of different feeding frequencies on the commercial characters of silkworm (Bombyx mori. L.)
