Patil, Rajashekhargouda R.MAHESHA, H. M.2019-09-182019-09-182001-08-09Th-6084http://krishikosh.egranth.ac.in/handle/1/5810128642Foliar supplementation of mulberry leaves with aqueous extracts of P. hysterophorus (20%) and T. procumbens (30%) improved all the economic traits of S. mori without extending larval duration. 20 per cnet P. hysterophorus and 30 per cent T. procumbens recorded maximum larval weight before second, third, fourth moult and a day before spinning and differed significantly with water control. The ERR increased from 73.41 per cent (water control) to 37.08 and 35.58 per cent due to foliar supplementation of P. hysterophorus (20%) and T. procumbens (30%) respectively. Irrespective of the concentrations tested P. hysterophorus and T. procumbens recorded lowest larval mortality of 16.09 and 17.13 per cent compared to all other treatments. Supplementation of P. hysterophorus (20%) and T. procumbens (30%) were effective in bringing down the flacherie from 10.58 per cent (water control) to 5.09 and 7.33 per cent and grasserie from 13 00 per cent (water control) to 5.50 and 3 91 per cent, respectively P hysterophorus (20%) and T. procumbens (30%) recorded maximum cocoon weight of 19.33 and 19.56 g, pupal weight of 15.88 and 15.78 g, shell weight of 3.76 and 3.67 g, shell ratio of 18.73 and 18.70 per cent, silk filament length of 1006 and 991 m, silk filament weight of 0.257 and 0.225 g and lowest denier of 2.30 and 2.32 respectively compared to water control (17 23 g, 13.87 g, 2.96 g, 16.91%, 857 m, 0.237 g and 2.49). Higher cocoon yield by weight and number/dfl was recorded due to extrafollation of 20 per cent P. hysterophorus (337 g and 241) and 30 per cent T. procumbens (343 g and 242) compared to water control (303 g and 223). Foliar supplementation of 20 per cent Parthenium and 30 per cent Tridax effected maximum food consumption (1.90 and 1.87 kg/5.25 kg) food utilisation (1.00 and 0.930 kg), fecal matter voided (0.391 and 0.888 kg) and CPU values (53.16 and 52.38%) and were significantly superior to water control. Though extrafoliation of T. procumbens (30%) and P. hysterophorus (20%) increased fecundity, none of the plant products could Improve the hatchability. The response of NB18 breed was better than the PM X NB18 to extrafoliation of plant products with respect to silkworm growth and development, food consumption and all the economic parameters except ERR, fecundity, cocoon yield by number and disease incidenceennullThesis