Effects of Mulberry Leaves with Bacillus subtilis on Growth and Production Performance of Silkworm, Bombyx mori L

ABSTRACT The study was conducted with 1500 healthy silkworm larvae. There were two treatment groups: control group, without added Bacillus subtilis, and B.subtilis group, with B. subtilis at 2.0×1010 CFU/mL added to the feed. Experimental diets were fed in three phases: 3rd instar, 4th instar and 5th instar. Furthermore, 3 replications were maintained and 250 silkworm larvae were reared in each replication. Different growth parameters and cocoon parameters were measured at each stage of silkworm. With the aim to investigate the supplemental effects of B.subtilis on growth performances, cocoon quality and amylase activity of silkworm, Bombyx L, we got the following results: (1) In the larval duration of 3rd instar silkworm, average weight gain (AWG) and feed conversion ratio (RFC) were not significantly affected with the use of B. subtilis, but the remaining amount of mulberry leaves (RAML) was significantly decreased contrasting to the blank group (P