Effect of phytohormone abscisic acid (ABA) on commercial traits and silk gland growth with protein contents of eri silkworm, Samia cynthia ricini Boisd. (Saturniidae: Lepidoptera)

Swati Pattanaik, Pravati Kumari Mahapatra & Kalyani Bohidar
Post-graduate Department of Zoology, Utkal University, Vani Vihar, Bhubaneswar- 751 004, Orissa, India.
Received 28th April, 2011; Revised 2nd August, 2011

Abstract : The effect of phytohormone Abscisic acid (ABA), on the growth and economic parameters of silkworm, Samia cynthia ricini Boisd. was studied. Three concentrations viz. 100 ng/ml, 200 ng/ml and 300 ng/ml of the hormone were administered orally through leaf to three different instars of silkworm larvae. The result of exogenous administration of ABA showed significant increase in larval weight, cocoon weight, cocoon shell weight, silk gland weight and amount of protein content in silk gland in comparison to the controls. The maximum elevation in all the parameters was observed with 300 ng/ml concentration of ABA treatment. The 300 ng/ml treatment of 5^th instar larvae in 3^rd cycle showed the highest cocoon shell weight, which is the main economic parameter of sericulture.

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