Academic Research Journal of Agricultural Science and Research
 

Academic Research Journal of Agricultural Science and Research 

Vol. 5(1), pp. 20-26. January, 2017.

ISSN: 2360-7874 

 DOI: 10.14662/ARJASR2016.042

Full Length Research

Feed consumption rate and feeding frequencies of Eri and Mulberry silkworm at Melkassa Agricultural Research Center, Ethiopia

Ahmed Ibrahim, Abiy Tilahun, Metasebia Terefe and Kedir Shifa

Ethiopian Institute of Agricultural Research, Melkassa Agricultural Research Center, P.O. Box-436, East Shoa, Melkassa, Ethiopia

Accepted 28 December 2016

Based on daily feed consumption rate determined prior to experimentation , five different feeding frequencies one, two, three, four and five times feeding per day) were evaluated to determined number of possible time of feeding according to laboratory environmental conditions. Ply-wood made feeding trays, which are having the sizes of 90 cm x 60 cm were used to conduct the experiment. On each feeding tray, 400 hundred larvae were put to evaluate the number of feeding times. The treatments were laid out in randomized block design with four replications each. Significantly higher silkworm mortalities were observed in one times feeding per day for 2^nd , 3rd and 4^th instars larvae followed by two times feeding per day. Maximum larval growth period, lower weight of matured larvae, lower length of thread and silk ratios were recorded in one and two times feeding per day than the other treatments. Therefore, two times feeding per day for 1^stand 2^ndinstar, and 3-4 times feeding per day for 3^rd, 4^th and 5^thinstars larvae of castor feeding silkworms were recommended for all cropping seasons. Similarly, two times feeding per day for 1^stand 2^ndinstar larvae and 3-4 times feeding per day for 3^nd, 4^rd and 5^th instars larvae of mulberry feeding silkworms were recommended from December to May cropping seasons. However, two times feeding per day for 1^stand 2^ndinstar and three times feeding per day for 3^nd, 4^rd and 5^thinstars were recommended for mulberry feeding silkworms from June to November.

Keywords:-Feeding frequencies, Temperature, Relative humidity, silkworm larvae, Mulberry and castor leafs

How to cite this article: Ibrahim AI, Tilahun A, Terefe M, Shifa K (2017). Feed consumption rate and feeding frequencies of Eri and Mulberry silkworm at Melkassa Agricultural Research Center, Ethiopia. Acad. Res. J. Agri. Sci. Res. 5(1): 20-26

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