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ISSN: 2360-7874 |
Academic Research Journal of
Agricultural Science and Research |
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Vol. 8(4), pp. 390-398, May 2020 Research Leaf macronutrient composition of mulberry (Morus indica) varieties and its relationship with productivity of mulberry silkworm (Bombyx mori L.)
Kedir Shifa*, Metasebia Terefe, Abiy Tilahun, Ahmed Ibrahim and Yohannis Nigusu
Melkassa Agricultural Research Center, P.O.Box 436, Adama, Ethiopia
*Corresponding Author: Kedir Shifa, Melkassa Agricultural Research Center, P.O.Box 436, Adama, Ethiopia, Tel: +251911384487, E-mail: kedirsh01@gmail.com
Accepted 27 May 2020
The growth, yield and reproduction potential of silkworms can be affected by their feed sources to a great extent. Minerals are among important biochemical components of leaves and they may have very big influence in productivity of silkworms. In the present study, six different mulberry varieties (K-2, S-13, M-4, Nekemte coll, Jimma Coll and Local) were evaluated for their leaf macro-mineral composition and effect on mulberry silkworms (Bombyx mori L.) in Melkassa Agricultural Research Center (MARC), East- Shewa zone of Oromia Regional State, Ethiopia. Completely Randomized Design (CRD) with three replications was employed for carrying out feeding trial in a laboratory. The leaf macro-mineral composition of mulberry varieties for nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, calcium, magnesium and sulphur was determined by using appropriate methodologies. The relationship of mineral components of leaves with silkworm parameters was also determined by using correlation coefficient analysis. Overall data analysis was carried out by using SAS software at 5% probability level. Finally, the leaves of these varieties showed significant differences among themselves in their mineral compositions. Their effect on rearing performance of mulberry silkworms was also statistically different when they were fed. So, relationship of macro-mineral constituents of mulberry varieties with rearing performance of mulberry silkworms was worked out. Hence, positive correlation of nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, calcium, magnesium and sulphur was obtained with larval, cocoon and grainage parameters of mulberry silkworms. Therefore, it can be concluded that presence of these macro-minerals in mulberry leaves will determine to the gains on important mulberry silkworm parameters when theses leaves served as feed sources. As a result, these macro nutrients will be considered as basic parameters for evaluation of mulberry varieties for mulberry silkworms rearing in the future.
Key words: Mulberry silkworms, Bombyx mori, mineral composition, correlation, performance
How to cite this article (APA Style): Kedir S, Metasebia T., Abiy T., Ahmed I., Yohannis N (2020). Leaf macronutrient composition of mulberry (Morus indica) varieties and its relationship with productivity of mulberry silkworm (Bombyx mori L.). Acad. Res. J. Agri. Sci. Res. 8(4): 390-398
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