Effect of disinfectants and antibiotics on diseases and economic parameters of CSR2×CSR4 race of Mulberry Silkworm, Bombyx mori L.

The present study was undertaken to evaluate the performance of the bivoltine silkworm, dihybrid (CSR2×CSR4) race of silkworm, Bombyx mori L, under different climatic conditions of Vidarbha, Nagpur. The rearing was carried out under controlled laboratory conditions by adopting the standard methods. Evaluation of various plant-oriented herbicides such as karanj (Pongamia pinnata), neem (Azadirachta indica), tulsi (Ocimum tenuiflorum) as a part of disinfectant and were compared with RKO. Antibiotics such as Ofloxacin and Azithromycin also used as preventive measure of diseases. The efficacy of disinfectants and antibiotics used during larval rearing of CSR2×CSR4 hybrid. The parameters such as survival, cocoon weight, shell weight, shell ratio, filament length, fecundity, and egg hatching were compared. The results suggest that highest mortality was in control during Monsoon and Summer whereas the lowest with Oxfloxicin during all the seasons. Cocoon weight was highest with the treatment with both the antibiotics and lowest with P. pinnata during winter and summer whereas shell ratio was highest when treated with Neem and Tulsi powder and lowest with antibiotic. Number of eggs laid by females and hatching were highest during winter compared to other season when Neem Tulsi and P. Pinnata were used as disinfectant compared to other treatment and control.