Eco-nutrition and Silkworm Productivity: A Comprehensive Review on Mulberry Leaf Fortification in Rearing of Bombyx mori L.

Mulberry leaves (Morus spp.) serve as the sole source of nutrition for the silkworm (Bombyx mori L.), providing essential macro- and micronutrients vital for larval development and silk production. However, the nutritional composition of these leaves is often compromised due to environmental fluctuations, agronomic limitations, and seasonal variability. Fortification of mulberry leaves with additional nutrients such as proteins, amino acids, vitamins, minerals, and probiotics has emerged as a promising strategy to enhance silkworm growth, cocoon yield, and silk quality. This review synthesizes current research on various fortification methods including botanical, microbial, and synthetic supplements, and evaluates their effects on biological and commercial traits of silkworms. The outcomes demonstrate improved larval weight, cocoon characteristics, filament length, and fibroin content following dietary enhancement. The paper also highlights the integration of fortified feeding into sustainable and precision sericulture, its compatibility with organic farming, and its potential role in mitigating climate-induced stresses. Despite the progress, challenges such as lack of standardization, economic constraints, limited farmer awareness, and insufficient field-level validation remain significant. Future directions include optimizing supplement concentrations, expanding field trials, and exploring gut microbiota interactions to improve feed efficiency and health resilience. Nutritional fortification of mulberry leaves thus presents a viable and scalable approach to ensure the sustainability and productivity of the sericulture industry.