Silkworm nutrition and its impact on growth, cocoon yield and silk quality

Abstract:

Silkworm (Bombyx mori L.) nutrition represents a critical determinant of productivity and sustainability in sericulture, directly influencing larval growth, cocoon yield and silk quality. This review synthesizes current understanding of the nutritional requirements of B. mori, emphasizing the roles of macronutrients (proteins, carbohydrates, lipids), micronutrients (vitamins, minerals, sterols) and water in supporting metabolic processes, silk protein biosynthesis and immune function. Mulberry (Morus spp.) leaf quality shaped by genotype, seasonal variation, and agronomic practices emerges as the primary factor governing silkworm performance, with protein content, carbohydrate availability, moisture levels and mineral composition showing particularly strong correlations with commercial traits. We examine the biochemical composition of mulberry leaves across cultivars and seasons, documenting their effects on larval development, digestive efficiency and cocoon parameters. The review also evaluates artificial and semi-artificial diets as alternatives to mulberry feeding, analyzing their formulation principles, comparative performance, and current limitations including altered metabolism, reduced gut microbiota diversity and variable silk quality. Nutritional interventions including fortification with amino acids, vitamins, minerals, probiotics and bioactive compounds demonstrate substantial potential for enhancing cocoon weight, shell ratio, filament length and silk protein composition, though optimal dosages and application methods require careful calibration to avoid adverse effects. Besides, nutrition significantly modulates silkworm physiology by influencing growth rate, disease resistance and energy metabolism, with probiotic supplementation and micronutrient enrichment showing particular promise for improving larval health and pathogen tolerance. The integration of strategic genotype selection optimized agronomic management of mulberry, balanced nutritional supplementation and judicious use of artificial diets offers pathways toward more productive and climate-resilient sericulture systems. Future research priorities include refining nutrient combinations for different silkworm strains and developmental stages, developing cost-effective fortification strategies, improving artificial diet formulations to better approximate mulberry nutrition and aligning sericultural practices with principles of environmental sustainability and circular agriculture.