“ Kaziranga National Park: The World Heritage Site “ –by Dr. Mainu Devi

The impact of feeding of Japanese weed leaves (Mikania micranhta), Castor leaves (Ricinus communis) and their combination on the silk gland protein of eri silk worm, Samia ricini Donovan has been investigated. The rearing was conducted in laboratory conditions. The larvae were reared on four experimental treatments (Ex tr. 1 – host plant - Mikania micrantha from I instar till maturity; Ex tr. II – host plant - Ricinus communis from I to IV instar larva, the V instar larva fed on Mikania micrantha & Ricinus communis in equal proportion till maturity; Ex tr. III – the host plant - Ricinus communis from I to II instar larvae, the III instar larvae fed on Mikania micrantha till maturity; Ex tr. IV – the host plant - Ricinus communis from I to V instar larvae - the control). In spite of heavy mortality (90%) of 1st instar larva of Ex tr. - I, the survivors (10%) were highly adapted to the new environment of food plant Mikania micrantha. The concentrations of protein in the posterior silk gland (PSG) during V instar larval development were studied. Significantly higher concentrations of protein in posterior silk gland (76.50 ±2.43) during the spinning stage was recorded in the larvae fed on Japanese weed leaves from III instar onward followed by Japanese weed fed larvae from I instar larvae till maturity (75.62±2.72) and control group (73.90±2.78). However, the lowest posterior silk gland protein (66.58±3.90) was recorded in Ex tr. - II. Thus, M. micrantha, a commonly available weed all over can be commercially exploited for better growth and development of eri silkworm, and hence the silk productivity and fecundity.

For further study visit www.ijaest.com/docs/IJAEST12-02-04-15.pdf

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