PABA induced reduction of fitness characters in two races of mulberry silkworm, Bombyx mori L.

Abstract

Larvae of economically important, mulberry silkworm, Bombyx mori, were subjected to growth regulator PABA treatment and its effects on the fitness characters were analyzed. The results indicated that though PABA increased the silk yield, it hampered fitness characters. Thus the experiment cautions sericulturists, who use PABA to improve cocoon characters that they should not make use of such cocoons for seed purpose.