Biotechnological Importance of Cocoon Magnetization with Particular Reference to the Larval Performance of Multivoltine Mulberry Silkworm (Bombyx mori Linn.)

The application of magnetic field on Bombyx mori cocoon has been proved to be of biotechnological significance in the sericulture industry. Variation in the static magnetic field significantly (P <0.05) influenced 1 the larval performance of Bombyx mori in terms of larval duration, larval weight and survival of larvae. The larval weight and survival of larvae increased with the increasing exposure duration of cocoon from 24 to 96 hours in 1000, 2000 and 3000 gauss magnetic field. The larval duration of Bombyx mori decreased with the increase in exposure duration of cocoons from 24 to 96 hours in case of 1000, 2000 and 3000 gauss magnetic strength. The maximum larval weight (1.961 ±0.08 gm) and survival of larvae (93.58 ±0.76%) was noticed in case of 3000 gauss-72 hours exposed cocoons. The minimum larval duration was recorded (23.75 ±0.65days) in case of 3000 gauss-72 hours exposed cocoons showing good development of Bombyx mori larvae. The experiments were conducted in the year 2007. The cocoons were magnetized for 24, 48, 72 and 96 hours separately with the magnet of each strength just after 3 day of spinning. The bio-magnetic interactions, if applied tactfully, may rd be useful for boosting up the sericulture industry as well as the economy of silkworm rearing.