Abstract:
Indole acetic acid, one of the most widely used plant growth promoter to increase yield in plants and animals was tested for its toxicity in one of the best non-mammalian test system viz., mulberry silkworm Bombyx mori L. Low concentrations of the chemical was administered to the test system by following egg treatment, oral administration, topical application at III and V instar stage. The toxicity parameters such as fecundity, fertility, hatchability, viability and rate of development were analysed. The results indicate that IAA is toxic to silkworms.
