Effect of Nutritional Supplement Treated Quercus serrata Leaves on Life Cycle and Economic Traits of Oak Tassar Silkworm (Antheraea proylei)
Abstract
The present study examines the effect of nutritional supplementation of Quercus serrata leaves with various bioactive additives: amla (Emblica officinalis), neem (Azadirachta indica), spirulina (Arthrospira platensis), tulsi (Ocimum sanctum) and sericin on the life cycle performance and economic characteristics of oak tasar silkworm (Antheraea proylei). This experiment was conducted during the spring season (August-December) in 2025 at the Central Tasar Research and Training Institute, Chauntra, District Mandi (H.P.). The goal was to assess how these additives affect larval growth, cocoon quality and silk yield parameters. Quercus serrata leaves were uniformly treated with aqueous extracts of selected supplements and fed to 5th instar larvae under controlled growth conditions. Main biological parameters - larval length, survival percentage, effective rearing rate (ERR%), cocoon weight, shell weight, pupal weight and shell ratio were recorded and compared to an untreated control.
The results revealed that supplementation significantly affected larval growth and silk productivity. Among treatments, spirulina and amla showed the most pronounced positive effects, leading to reduced larval duration, higher survival and improved cocoon and shell weight. Neem and tulsi treatments showed moderate improvement, while sericin supplementation showed the most improvement in quality and luster of silk filament. The combined effect of nutritional fortification was reflected in superior economic traits and potential improvement in silk feed performance.
Overall, the study shows that supplementation of Quercus serrata leaves can effectively improve the physiological performance and silk yield of Antheraea proylei, suggesting an ecological approach and profitable strategy for sustainable oak tasar culture.
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Introduction
Silk production has been an integral part of India's rural economy and traditional culture for centuries (Reddy et al., 2018). Among the various types of silk produced globally, oak tasar silk, obtained from the semi-domesticated silkworm Antheraea proylei (Lepidoptera: Saturniidae), holds a special place for its natural golden color, strength and eco-friendly characteristics (Kumar and Sinha, 2019). This species, a hybrid between Antheraea pernyi (Chinese tasar silkworm) and Antheraea proylei (wild Indian silk worm), develops mainly in temperate and subtropical regions of the Himalayas, feeding on the leaves of oak species such as Quercus serrata (Singh et al., 2020). The productivity and quality of oak tasar silk are profoundly influenced by the nutritional quality of the host plant leaves and the physiological state of larvae during their development (Devi and Gogoi, 2021).
Conclusion
The present study highlights the significant impact of nutritionally enriched Quercus serrata leaves, treated with various bioactive supplements such as amla (Emblica officinalis), neem (Azadirachta indica), tulsi (Ocimum sanctum), spirulina (Arthrospira platensis) and sericin, on the life cycle and economic characteristics of oak tasar silkworm (Antheraea proylei). These supplements play a crucial role in improving the nutritional quality of host leaves, which in turn positively affects larval growth, survival rate, cocoon yield, shell ratio and silk quality.
Among the treatments, amla and spirulina have been shown to improve protein synthesis and metabolic efficiency, while neem and tulsi provide antimicrobial and antioxidant protection, thus reducing larval mortality and disease incidence. The addition of sericin contributes to better strength and luster of silk filaments due to its rich amino acid content.
The integration of these natural supplements in the rearing process provides an ecological and sustainable strategy to improve sericulture productivity without the use of synthetic additives. The improved physiological and economic performance of Antheraea proylei highlights the potential of herbal and natural supplements to promote healthier silkworm development and higher silk yield.
Future research should focus on optimizing the concentration, combination and method of application of these supplements to maximize their benefits. Such approaches can significantly contribute to sustainable oak tasar sericulture, benefiting rural economies and advancing the eco-friendly production of quality silk.
References
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