Cocooning with Cassava: Exploring the commercial rearing and seed production potential of Samia ricini Donovan on different Cassava varieties

Cocooning with Cassava: Exploring the commercial rearing and seed production potential of Samia ricini Donovan on different Cassava varieties | Research Square window.SnipcartSettings = { analytics: { enabled: false } }; (function() { var accessVector = localStorage.getItem('access_vector') || ''; window.dataLayer = window.dataLayer || []; if (accessVector) { window.dataLayer.push({ user: { profile: { profileInfo: { snid: accessVector } } } }); } })(); (function(w,d,s,l,i){w[l]=w[l]||[];w[l].push({'gtm.start':new Date().getTime(),event:'gtm.js'});var f=d.getElementsByTagName(s)[0],j=d.createElement(s),dl=l!='dataLayer'?'&l='+l:'';j.async=true;j.src='https://www.googletagmanager.com/gtm.js?id='+i+dl;f.parentNode.insertBefore(j,f);})(window,document,'script','dataLayer','GTM-K279D39R'); Browse Preprints In Review Journals COVID-19 Preprints AJE Video Bytes Research Tools Research Promotion AJE Professional Editing AJE Rubriq About Preprint Platform In Review Editorial Policies Our Team Advisory Board Help Center Sign In Submit a Preprint Cite Share Download PDF Research Article Cocooning with Cassava: Exploring the commercial rearing and seed production potential of Samia ricini Donovan on different Cassava varieties Lalitha Natarajan, H Hridya, R Bhuyan, H Bordoloi, P.S Sivakumar, and 1 more This is a preprint; it has not been peer reviewed by a journal. https://doi.org/ 10.21203/rs.3.rs-3237806/v1 This work is licensed under a CC BY 4.0 License Status: Published Journal Publication published 13 Mar, 2025 Read the published version in International Journal of Tropical Insect Science → Version 1 posted 6 You are reading this latest preprint version Abstract Different cassava varieties’ differential preferences and performance of eri silkworm Samia ricini (Donovan), seed cocoon rearing and its reproductive performance were studied. In the current study, seven foliage rich cassava varieties were selected and evaluated as feed for Samia ricini in comparison with the primary food plant castor (NBR1). The treatments were arranged in a completely randomized design (CRD) in three replications. A significant difference was observed in rearing performance of eri silkworms when fed to leaves of different cassava varieties. Majuli var fed worms recorded mature larval weight (7.01 ± 0.62); pupation percentage (95.93 ± 0.37),effective rate of rearing (81.76 ± 1.24%), single cocoon weight (3.96 ± 0.17g), pupal weight (3.44 ± 0.21g) better than all the other varieties of cassava used for rearing followed by Sree Raksha and Tura. Shell ratio percentage of all cassava varieties were on par with control. Based on the eri seed production data, cassava varieties Majuli and Sree Raksha were found to be much superior to all other foliage-rich cassava varieties considered for the study. Overall, the better-performing varieties on par with control are as follows Majuli, Sree Raksha and Tura. These varieties can be recommended for the farmers in Assam for eri cocoon production besides tuber production. Cassava eri silkworm Samia ricini rearing and reproductive performance Introduction Cassava (Manihot esculenta Crantz ) of Euphorbiaceae family is an indigenous crop to South America which is copiously cultivated in tropical countries globally. It is the third-largest food source rich in carbohydrates in the tropics, after rice and maize, and is grown in 105 countries. The adventitious roots of this plant produce starch-rich tuber, which is regarded as a staple food for more than 800 million people globally (Chimphepo et al., 2021 ; Blagbrough et al., 2010 ). Cassava is vital as feed and industrial raw material, as well as an energy source, making it ideal for cascade use (Reilly et al., 2004; Latif and Muller, 2014; Rahman and Awerije, 2016 ). Cassava has a higher starch accumulation capacity (121 mJ ha − 1 day − 1 ), drought tolerance and resistance to low soil nutrient levels than other starchy crops, allowing it to be produced in regions where other crops fail to survive (Horton and Fano, 1985 ; Edison, 2006; Howeler, 2012 , Li et al., 2017 ). Global production of Cassava in 2021 extends to 314 million tons. Africa is the leading producer contributing 64.7%, Followed by Asia 26.8%, America 8.5% and Oceania 0.1%. The leading producers are Nigeria, Congo, Thailand, Ghana, Indonesia, Brazil, Vietnam, Angola, Cambodia and Côte d'Ivoire. India produced 6.94 million tons and stands 15th in global production of Cassava (FAOSTAT, 2021 ). Cassava has some medicinal properties, and it boosts energy level, ensures healthy weight gain, helps prevent Alzheimer’s disease and cardiovascular diseases and useful for muscle growth and development maintaining optimal blood pressure (Chandrasekara and Kumar, 2016). Besides tuber, the foliage of Cassava has gained importance as human food and is consumed as a vegetable in many countries in sub-Saharan Africa as well as in Asian countries like Indonesia, Phillippines and Malaysia (Latif and Mulker, 2015). In recent years, Cassava has been used as an alternate feed source for the Eri silkworm, a sericigenous lepidopteran insect which produces ‘Eri silk’. Samia ricini (Donovan) is an economically important insect in many parts of the world, especially in Asia and Africa, for production of Eri silk. Eri silkworm, feeds primarily on castor ( Ricinus communis Linn.). Eri silkworm is polyphagous with multiple host plants like Heteropanax fragrans, Manihot esculenta Crantz, Ailanthus grandis Baiu, Ailanthus excelsa Roxb, Plumeria acutifolia, Gmelina arborea, Evodia fraxinifolia etc. Bindroo et al. ( 2007 ) reported 24 plant species as host of eri silkworm. At the same time, Arora and Gupta (1979) reported that eri silkworm is known to feed on more than 30 host plant species. Research studies reveal that the growth, development, silk production and egg production depend on the host plant quality and nutritional composition consumed. The deficit in the host plant consumption will be reflected in the silkworm’s physiological development (Sarkar et al., 2015 ). Although Cassava is a secondary host plant for the eri silkworm, the leaves possess abundant/great economic traits regarding nutrient composition and the ability to produce abundant foliage quickly (Sakthivel, 2016 ). The Cassava bestows economic gain to the growers, by taking up ericulture as a subsidiary revenue source utilizing the foliage. However, the quality of cassava varieties varies, and their effect on the silkworm’s growth, development, and reproductive performance needs to be better understood. Further, the Eri pupae are consumed in Northeast India and other South Asian countries as a delicacy (Chutia et al., 2014 ). The level of α-linolenic acid content in the pupal oil of Cassava reared silkworms was 58.3% which is significantly higher than castor fed silkworm pupal oil content that is 42.9% suggesting the nutritional index of the pupae with predominant trilinolenin content (Shanker et al., 2006 ). The success of Eri silkworm rearing largely depends on the quality and quantity of the food provided to the larvae. However, only on few hosts, developmental biology and reproductive performance have been studied. The information on reproductive performance of eri silkworm on secondary hosts was sparse. Hence, an attempt was made to study the seed cocoon rearing and reproductive performance of eri silkworm when fed on different foliage rich cassava varieties. Materials and Methods Experimental Site The experiment was conducted at Block-I (26°6'10.52"N 92°10'5.53"E) P2 Eri basic seed farm, Central Silk Board, Topatoli, Kamrup. Assam, India during 2021. The cassava plantation was raised during April 2021 and rearing and seed production trials were conducted during August to October 2021. The seasonal temperature and humidity were in line with the standard conditions. Methodology Seven foliage rich cassava varieties were selected for the study. The high yielding non-blooming red variety of castor was taken as control, being the primary host plant. The ICAR-Central Tuber Crop Research Institute (CTCRI, ICAR) at Sreekariyam, Trivandrum provided certain promising varieties like Sree Raksha (High yielding and resistant to cassava mosaic virus) and foliage rich breeding lines MNS-57, 58, 59,127 for eri silkworm rearing evaluation under ICAR-CTCRI NEH Programme. Apart from these varieties, the local cassava variety from Majuli, Assam and Tura, Meghalaya were also planted in the farm and grown adopting standard agronomical package of practices. Rearing was carried out, and the treatments were arranged in a completely randomized design C.R.D in three replications. The silkworm rearing room was disinfected prior to the rearing. Healthy hundred worms were used for rearing in each replication following the standardized methods of rearing (Sarmah, 2004 ). The eggs were incubated at room temperature 28 ± 2°C, 80 ± 5% RH and 10 hrs photoperiod. The experiment was conducted from newly hatched larvae to adult formation feeding with control and the selected cassava varieties. Mature worms were collected and allowed for spinning in the mountages. Rearing variables like mature larval weight, larval length, larva duration, pupation rate (%), and Effective rate of rearing (%) were recorded. After the sixth day of spinning, cocoons were harvested, economic parameters assessed and placed on trays for moth emergence. Cocoon parameters such as cocoon length, cocoon weight, shell weight, pupal weight and shell ratio was recorded. Seed production was also documented as per standard methods. The reproductive parameters such as seed cocoon yield per dfl, percentage of moth emergence, coupling percentage, fecundity, cocoon to dfl ratio and hatching percent were recorded. Statistical analysis The data were subjected to analysis of variance (ANOVA) to test the significance of variation among the different cassava varieties and control. Multiple comparison of mean values was made depending on the F ratio and the critical difference (CD) values based on the student t criteria at 5 and 1% levels of significance utilizing the standard methods (Gomez and Gomez, 1984 ). Results and discussion Effect of Cassava varieties on rearing performance of eri silkworms The data on rearing performance of eri silkworms fed on different cassava varieties are presented in Table 1 . The results demonstrated that the control had the highest weight of fifth instar larva (7.74 ± 0.73 g), followed by the cassava varieties Majuli local (7.01 ± 0.62 g) and Sree Raksha (6.89 ± 0.57 g). Regarding larval length, the Sree Raksha had the highest value (6.78 ± 0.30 cm), while the lowest was observed in the MNS 127 (6.18 ± 0.18 cm). However, the larval length of the silkworms did not differ significantly between the cassava varieties and control. The shortest larval duration was recorded in the control (20.20 ± 0.84 days) followed by Sree Raksha (22.20 ± 0.84 days) and Majuli local (22.80 ± 1.64 days). The larval duration was the longest in the MNS 59 variety (25.40 ± 1.52 days) among the cassava varieties studied. The shorter development time for larval growth indicates more suitability of the host plant variety as food. On the contrary, relatively longer larval duration suggested lesser suitability of the host for rearing. Earlier, studies on eri silkworm fed with Cassava at Indonesia recorded a larval duration of 21 days indicating a good host (Dinata et al ., 2019). The pupation percentage was highest in the control (96.99 ± 0.55%), followed by the Majuli variety (95.93 ± 0.37%) and Sree Raksha variety (95.05 ± 0.58%). The lowest pupation percentage was observed in the MNS 58 variety (92.31 ± 1.35%). However, all the cassava varieties studied, were observed to have pupation more than 90%, signifying their suitability as hosts. Table 1 Rearing performance of eri silkworms fed on different cassava varieties Cassava Var Weight of fifth instar larva (g) Larval length (cm) Larval duration (days) Pupation (%) ERR (%) Tura 6.65 ± 0.43 6.64 ± 0.30 23.80 ± 1.30 94.89 ± 0.66 63.92 ± 1.00 Majuli 7.01 ± 0.62 6.42 ± 0.23 22.80 ± 1.64 95.93 ± 0.37 81.76 ± 1.24 Sree Raksha 6.89 ± 0.57 6.78 ± 0.30 22.20 ± 0.84 95.05 ± 0.58 80.60 ± 1.06 MNS 57 6.38 ± 0.45 6.40 ± 0.41 24.80 ± 0.84 92.34 ± 1.32 70.57 ± 1.33 MNS 58 6.26 ± 0.38 6.24 ± 0.28 25.00 ± 0.71 92.31 ± 1.35 69.68 ± 1.37 MNS 59 6.15 ± 0.24 6.30 ± 0.41 25.40 ± 1.52 92.94 ± 0.59 67.88 ± 0.57 MNS 127 6.18 ± 0.22 6.18 ± 0.18 24.20 ± 1.48 92.48 ± 0.61 71.58 ± 0.66 Control 7.74 ± 0.73 6.58 ± 0.32 20.20 ± 0.84 96.99 ± 0.55 83.42 ± 0.47 CV 0.57** NS 1.41** 0.97** 1.20** P value 0.00011 0.0589 .000001 < 0.001 < 0.001 Table 2 Cocoon parameters of eri silkworms fed on different cassava varieties Cassava Var Cocoon length (cm) Single cocoon weight (g) Single shell weight (g) Single pupal weight (g) Shell ratio (%) Tura 5.28 ± 0.48 3.12 ± 0.48 0.42 ± 0.04 2.70 ± 0.50 13.77 ± 2.92 Majuli 5.52 ± 0.22 3.96 ± 0.17 0.52 ± 0.06 3.44 ± 0.21 13.18 ± 1.89 Sree Raksha 5.60 ± 0.16 3.82 ± 0.20 0.50 ± 0.04 3.32 ± 0.22 13.03 ± 1.41 MNS 57 4.98 ± 0.13 2.96 ± 0.33 0.40 ± 0.00 2.56 ± 0.33 13.64 ± 1.47 MNS 58 5.08 ± 0.28 2.74 ± 0.19 0.38 ± 0.04 2.36 ± 0.18 13.73 ± 1.10 MNS 59 5.02 ± 0.13 2.60 ± 0.42 0.34 ± 0.04 2.26 ± 0.39 13.13 ± 1.48 MNS 127 5.20 ± 0.45 2.78 ± 0.27 0.37 ± 0.04 2.41 ± 0.26 13.53 ± 1.96 Control 5.36 ± 0.27 4.20 ± 0.24 0.59 ± 0.02 3.61 ± 0.25 14.08 ± 0.97 CV 0.30** 0.36** 0.05** 0.36** NS P value .000787 < 0.001 < 0.001 < 0.001 0.98 Effective Rate of Rearing (ERR), an economic parameter, that implies the percentage of the number of cocoons harvested to the number of larvae brushed, showed a significant difference when eri silkworms were fed on different cassava varieties. Among the cassava varieties studied, Majuli local registered maximum ERR (81.76 ± 1.24%) closely followed by Sree Raksha variety (80.60 ± 1.06%). The primary food plant castor recorded the highest ERR (83.42 ± 0.47%) and the lowest ERR was observed in the MNS 59 variety (67.88 ± 0.57%) (Table 1 ). The effect of Cassava on different growth parameters of eri silkworm during autumn season rearing in Assam was evaluated and found to be on par with castor, primary host, in terms of rearing performance with an ERR of 90% (Dulumani Das, 2015). Castor fed eri worms resulted in economic traits for seed cocoon; however, solely reared eri in Cassava showed extended rearing period and had inferior economic characteristics. (Joshi et al ., 1985; Joshi, 1992 ). Sakthivel et al., 2018 reported that the castor feeding up to fourth-instar followed by fifth instar feeding on cassava which is sixth to eighth months after the crop gives better crop yield. Similarly, initial two instars feeding in ten months old cassava followed by late age rearing in castor is also found significantly better. Similar studies of dual crop rearing performance were evaluated by Deka et al., 2011 and reported to give better yields. This enables the eri rearer to manage the leaf scarcity. The current study suggests that the different cassava varieties have an impact on the rearing performance of eri silkworms, with some varieties showing better results than others. The control (castor) generally outperformed most cassava varieties regarding the weight of fifth instar larva, pupation percentage, and ERR. However, cassava varieties Majuli, Sree Raksha and Tura showed comparable or even better results than the control in specific parameters such as mature larval weight, larva length and pupation percentage. Therefore, it is essential to consider the specific parameter of interest. Overall, the comparison to the control provides a useful benchmark to evaluate the effectiveness of the different treatments and can inform the selection of the most suitable cassava variety for eri silkworm rearing that can match the economic traits of primary host-castor rearing. Effect of Cassava varieties on cocoon parameters of eri silkworms The cocoon parameters of eri silkworms across various varieties of cassava consumed by them were studied. The results showed that the cocoon length was highest in the Sree Raksha (5.60 ± 0.16 cm), followed by Majuli variety (5.52 ± 0.22 cm) and Tura (5.28 ± 0.48 cm), while the lowest values were observed in MNS 57 (4.98 ± 0.13 cm). The control was recorded at par cocoon length (5.36 ± 0.27cm). The highest single cocoon weight was observed in the control (4.20 ± 0.24 g), followed by Majuli variety (3.96 ± 0.17 g) and Sree Raksha (3.82 ± 0.20 g). Similarly, the highest single shell weight was found in the control (0.59 ± 0.02 g), followed by Majuli (0.52 ± 0.06 g) and Sree Raksha (0.50 ± 0.04 g), while the lowest values were observed in MNS 59 (0.34 ± 0.04 g). In terms of single pupal weight, the control (3.61 ± 0.25 g), Majuli (3.44 ± 0.21 g) and Sree Raksha (3.32 ± 0.22 g) were at par. The shell ratio of all the cassava varieties studies were at par and not significantly different from the control. Repeated evaluation studies of certain cassava varieties on eri rearing can offer scope to replace the primary host, which is scarcely available in certain seasons of the year. In the trial study conducted by Cluster Development Centre, Central Silk Board, Agali in Palakkad district Kerala for motivating Cassava growers to take up Ericulture, the Mosaic tolerant variety ‘Sree Vishakam’ proved to be utilized for Ericulture with a shell ratio of 13.71% (Sathyanarayana et al., 2007 ). Saud et al. ( 2016 ) found that Sree Vijaya had a higher tuber yield and 75% defoliation yielded a higher leaf yield. Balijan local fed worms had the shortest rearing period and eri silkworms performed better in cocoon parameters when reared with Sree Vijaya leaves, followed by Sree Jaya. The study also revealed that the sericulture component made cassava production more profitable, with an additional income for the farmers. Sakthivel ( 2016 ) reported that the MVD1 and H226 Cassava varieties had superior economic traits with higher cocoon yields. In Cambodia, defoliation up to 80% after four months of planting yielded Cassava tuber in K.M 94 Cassava variety without any detrimental effect (Kawabe et al., 2014 ). In the current study, defoliation was carried out upto 80% without any detrimental effect to the tuber production (Supplementary Table 1), whereas in the primary host plant castor only 25–40% defoliation is recommended without affecting the seed oil production (Raghavaiah, 2003 ; Kedir et al., 2014 ). In Kasetsart 50 and Rayong 11 varieties of cassava, no negative impact on tuber yield was observed upon harvest of 30–40% leaves in three batches in Thailand. Phengvichith et al . 2006 showed that leaf yields were increasing according to the harvesting frequency in contrast with tuber yields. (Buamuanghia et al ., 2017). A study was conducted in Tamil Nadu to determine the optimal cassava leaf harvest that would not reduce tuber yield in seven different cassava varieties. The study found that CO4, H226, and MVD1 varieties had high tuber yield with starch content when 30% of their leaves were harvested bimonthly post eight months after planting. CO3, H165, and Kunguma Rose varieties could tolerate up to 20%, 20%, and 10% leaf harvest respectively. MVD1, H226, and CO4 are high leaf yielding varieties that can be used for eri crop rearing in irrigated soil conditions to generate additional revenue. In conclusion, these findings suggest that different varieties of cassava may affect the cocoon parameters of eri silkworms, which could have implications for the silk industry. Effect of reproductive performance on eri silkworm fed with Cassava varieties Table 3 provides the reproductive performance of eri silkworms fed on different cassava varieties, where the following parameters were evaluated: The highest seed cocoon yield per dfl was observed in the Majuli variety (187.60 ± 12.58), followed by Sree Raksha (183.40 ± 9.15) and Tura (179.40 ± 7.33) than control. The lowest yield was obtained from MNS 127 (159.40 ± 9.15). Regarding moth emergence percentage, the highest was observed in control (83.80 ± 3.77), while the lowest was observed in MNS 58 (69.20 ± 3.70). The coupling percentage was highest in control (88.80 ± 2.39), and Sree Raksha (87.80 ± 3.27), while the lowest was observed in MNS 58 (81.00 ± 4.24). Fecundity was highest in the Majuli (342.60 ± 31.56) followed by control (331.00 ± 35.74) and Sree Raksha (330.80 ± 19.54). The lowest fecundity was observed in MNS 57 (291.20 ± 12.21). The oviposition rate in fertile female moth was higher in first three days and declined in consecutive days (Jayaprakash et al ., 2010). Nurkomar et al. ( 2022 ) assessed the impact of three different cassava species, namely Manihot glaziovii, M. esculenta , and M. utilissima , on the reproductive capacity of Eri silkworms based on their nutrient content, with a special focus on nitrogen. They found that survivability rates of larvae decreased by up to 20% post-third stage upon M. utilissima feeding. Higher fecundity was observed in M. glaziovii and M. esculenta . cassava rearing of eri silkworm during autumn season exhibited SR % 11.87 ± 0.34 and fecundity of 370 nos per dfl (Dulumani Das, 2015). Table 3 Reproductive performance of eri silkworms fed on different cassava varieties Cassava Var Seed cocoon yield per dfl Moth emergence % Coupling % Fecundity Cocoon to dfl ratio Hatching % Tura 179.40 ± 7.33 76.20 ± 3.35 81.20 ± 5.31 302.40 ± 40.73 4.56 ± 0.67 79.20 ± 4.44 Majuli 187.60 ± 12.58 82.40 ± 3.21 86.20 ± 5.63 342.60 ± 31.56 3.76 ± 0.42 80.00 ± 4.18 Sree Raksha 183.40 ± 9.15 80.60 ± 3.85 87.80 ± 3.27 330.80 ± 19.54 3.81 ± 0.35 80.20 ± 2.86 MNS 57 169.40 ± 8.99 71.20 ± 4.87 82.60 ± 5.27 291.20 ± 12.21 4.59 ± 0.36 80.00 ± 1.87 MNS 58 165.60 ± 6.23 69.20 ± 3.70 81.00 ± 4.24 283.20 ± 13.44 4.82 ± 0.37 79.20 ± 2.59 MNS 59 170.20 ± 8.47 70.80 ± 4.44 81.20 ± 2.17 286.00 ± 27.21 4.78 ± 0.57 79.40 ± 2.19 MNS 127 159.40 ± 9.15 68.80 ± 6.10 82.20 ± 1.92 289.00 ± 11.31 4.64 ± 0.24 78.80 ± 2.17 Control 203.40 ± 17.46 83.80 ± 3.77 88.80 ± 2.39 331.00 ± 35.74 3.78 ± 0.41 80.60 ± 2.70 CV 12.30** 5.00** 4.75* 30.87** 0.52** NS P value .000004 .000001 0.011 .00234 .00025 0.98 The cocoon to dfl ratio was observed to be effective in Majuli (3.76 ± 0.42) and highest in MNS 58 (4.82 ± 0.37), followed by MNS 59 (4.78 ± 0.57). The hatching percentage was highest in the control (80.60 ± 2.70), followed by Sree Raksha (80.20 ± 2.86) and Majuli (80.00 ± 4.18). The lowest hatching percentage was observed in MNS 127 (78.80 ± 2.17). Similarly, cassava varieties MVD1 and H226 fed eri silkworm have been reported with high silk percentages, fecundity and hatching percentage. The silk percentages were 15.867 and 15.305, fecundity and hatching percentages were 349.75 (95.86%) and 347.73 (95.28%), respectively (Sakthivel, 2016 ). In summary, the results suggest that different cassava varieties have varying effects on the reproductive performance of eri silkworms. The present study suggests two promising varieties, Majuli and Sree Raksha in terms of seed cocoon yield per dfl and coupling percentage respectively, and could be further explored. Conclusion and future prospective Castor has been established as a primary host plant for eri silkworm rearing. Cassava stands next to castor with rearing and grainage traits (Birari et al., 2019 ). The study by Deka et al. ( 2011 ) evaluated the impact of feeding Eri silkworms with castor, kesseru, and cassava, either separately or in combination. Castor performed better than kesseru and cassava, and interchanging crops during the early and late stages of rearing improved performance. However, cassava and its combination with castor showed some high traits such as larva weight, fecundity, ERR%, and shell ratio in different seasons. Additionally, feeding chawki worms with castor in the early stage and later with cassava resulted in better performance. It is recommended that cassava farmers could grow castor as border plants for early-stage (chawki) rearing. Screening and evaluation of high-performing cassava varieties released by Research institutes should be recommended for eri rearing. Such recommendations will provide the best alternative way to substitute primary host without compromising the economic traits of cocoon and sustain eri culture throughout the year. However quantitative and qualitative castor leaf production throughout the year is a limitation despite the high cost of cultivation compared to cassava. However, during summer, rearing on cassava leaves gave more silk % which was 13.60% and castor was 11.64% (Mani et al., 2002 ). In conclusion, the choice of cassava variety for feeding eri silkworm larvae can significantly affect their growth, development, and reproductive performance. Further research is needed to determine the optimal feeding regime for eri silkworms using different cassava varieties to maximize silk production and also standardize seed production. Declarations Competing Interest Authors declare no conflict of Interest Acknowledgements The authors would like to extend sincere gratitude and appreciation to ICAR CTCRI for providing the Cassava setts to propagate and study. We also acknowledge the sustained cooperation from the Central Silk Board in Bangalore, India, and the Muga Eri Silkworm Seed Organization, Central Silk Board, Guwahati, Assam, India. References Bindroo, B.B., N.T.Singh, A.K.Sahu and R.Chakravorty, 2007. Eri silkworm host plants. Indian Silk , 5, 13–16. Birari, V.V., Siddhapara, M.R. and Desai, A.V., 2019. Rearing performance of eri silkworm, Samia ricini (Donovan) on different host plants. Journal of Farm Sciences , 32 (4), 443-446. Blagbrough IS, Bayoumi SA, Rowan MG, Beeching JR. Cassava: an appraisal of its phytochemistry and its biotechnological prospects. Phytochem.. 2010 Dec;71(17-18):1940-51. Buamuangphia, C., Sirimungkararat, S., Saksirirat, W. and Srijankam, K., 2017. 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Sericologia, 25, 313-319. Joshi, K.L. (1992) Evaluation of diets for larvae of the eri silkworm, Samia cynthia ricini Boisduval (Lepidoptera: Saturniidae). Indian J. Seric. 31, 49-51. Kawabe, K., Mihara, M. and Itagaki, K., 2014. Changes in Cassava Yields with Trimmed Leaves for Eri-culture in Kampong Cham Province, Cambodia. Int. j. environ. rural dev . 5 (1), 182-187. Kedir, S., Emana, G. and Waktole, S., 2014. Rearing performance of eri-silkworm (Samia cynthia ricini Boisduval)(Lepidoptera: Saturniidae) fed with different castor (Ricinus communis L.) genotypes. J. Entomol. 11 (1), 25-33. Latif, S., & Muller, J. (2015). The potential of cassava leaves in human nutrition: a review. Trends Food. Scie. Tech. 44(2), 147-158. Li, S., Yu, X., Lei, N., Cheng, Z., Zhao, P., He, Y., Wang, W. and Peng, M., 2017. Genome-wide identification and functional prediction of cold and/or drought-responsive lncRNAs in cassava. Sci. Rep. 7(1), 45981. Mani, H.C., Singh, B.K. and Chakravorty, R., 2002. Water-soluble protein and free amino acid (FAA) profiles of the haemolymph of the larva of Eri Silkworm, Philosamia ricini Hutt., in relation to the presence of proteins of such nature and FAA in the diets fed by these caterpillars. J. Adv. Zool . 23(2), 85-87. Nurkomar, I., Trisnawati, D.W. and Arrasyid, F., life cycle and survivorship of eri silkworm, samia cynthia ricini biosduval (lepidoptera: saturniidae) on three different cassava leaves diet, Serangga 2022, 27(1), 94-105. Rahman, S. and Awerije, B.O., 2016. Exploring the potential of cassava in promoting agricultural growth in Nigeria. J. Agric. Rural Dev. Trop . 117(1), 149-163. Reilly, K., Gómez-Vásquez, R., Buschmann, H., Tohme, J. and Beeching, J.R., 2003. Oxidative stress responses during cassava post-harvest physiological deterioration. Plant Mol. Biol. 53, 669-685. Sakthivel, N., 2016. Evaluation of Cassava varieties for Eri silkworm, Samia cynthia ricini boisduval. Mun. Ent. Zool., 11(1), 165-168. Sakthivel, N., 2018. Standardization of cassava leaf harvest in relation to ericulture cum tuber production. Int J Agric Innov Res, 6(5),190-195. Sakthivel, N., Kamaraj, S. and Qadri, S.M.H., 2018. Effect of interchange of cassava and castor leaves on economic traits of eri silkworm, Samia Cynthia ricini boisduval (lepidoptera: saturniidae). Int. j. sci. environ. technol ., 7 (5), 1631-1636. Sarkar, B.N., Sarmah, M.C. and Giridhar, K., 2015. Grainage performance of eri silkworm Samia ricini (Donovan) fed on different accession of castor food plants. Int. J. Ecol. Ecosolution. 2(2), 17-21. Sarmah, M. C. 2004. Eri host plant cultivation and silkworm rearing technique. Compiled & Edited by Sarmah, M. C. Published by the Director CMER & TI, Lahdoigarh, Jorhat, Assam. Sathyanarayana, K., John, J.N., Shetty, K.K. and Amarnath, S.,2007 Tapioca-An asset of Kerala with diversified economic utility. Black, Caspian Seas and Central Asia Silk Association (BACSA) www. bacsa-silk. org , p.295. Saud, B.K., Alam, S., Dutta, L., Narzary, B.D. and Bora, P., 2016. Cassava Leaves Defoliation for Eri Silk Worm Rearing and its Impact on Cassava Tuber Yield. J. root crops, 42(2), 103-106. Shanker, K.S., Shireesha, K., Kanjilal, S., Kumar, S.V., Srinivas, C., Rao, J.V. and Prasad, R.B., 2006. Isolation and characterization of neutral lipids of desilked eri silkworm pupae grown on castor and tapioca leaves. J. Agric. Food Chem. 54(9), 3305-3309. Supplementary Files GRAPHCALABSTRACT.tif SupplementaryTable1.docx Cite Share Download PDF Status: Published Journal Publication published 13 Mar, 2025 Read the published version in International Journal of Tropical Insect Science → Version 1 posted Editorial decision: Major revisions 27 Aug, 2024 Reviewers agreed at journal 05 Aug, 2024 Reviewers invited by journal 24 Jul, 2024 Editor invited by journal 13 Jul, 2024 Editor assigned by journal 08 Aug, 2023 First submitted to journal 05 Aug, 2023 You are reading this latest preprint version Research Square lets you share your work early, gain feedback from the community, and start making changes to your manuscript prior to peer review in a journal. As a division of Research Square Company, we’re committed to making research communication faster, fairer, and more useful. We do this by developing innovative software and high quality services for the global research community. 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Also discoverable on Platform About Our Team In Review Editorial Policies Advisory Board Help Center Resources Author Services Accessibility API Access RSS feed Manage Cookie Preferences © Research Square 2026 | ISSN 2693-5015 (online) Privacy Policy Terms of Service Do Not Sell My Personal Information {"props":{"pageProps":{"initialData":{"identity":"rs-3237806","acceptedTermsAndConditions":true,"allowDirectSubmit":false,"archivedVersions":[],"articleType":"Research Article","associatedPublications":[],"authors":[{"id":331049040,"identity":"398541cc-2a2d-4f95-96c2-7211dc363b3c","order_by":0,"name":"Lalitha Natarajan","email":"data:image/png;base64,iVBORw0KGgoAAAANSUhEUgAAAZAAAAAyAQMAAABI0h/eAAAABlBMVEX///8AAABVwtN+AAAACXBIWXMAAA7EAAAOxAGVKw4bAAAA3UlEQVRIiWNgGAWjYBACPgbmhgOMDSAm8wEgISFDUAsbA2PDgYNgLWwJIC08RGlhgGjhMQCThLWwH2w8/HGHHYO52JnPr27UWPAwsB8+ugGvFp5EoMPOJDNYzs7dZp1zDOgwnrS0G/gdBtLSxsxgcDt3m3EOG1CLBI8Zfi38D0Fa6oFacp4Z5/wjRosE2JbDIC3Mj3PbiNICtOVs23Eeg9tpZsy5fRI8bIT8ws+ffPhDZVu1nMHt5Mefc77VyfGzHz6GVwsM8IBtBNtLjHIYYP5AiupRMApGwSgYOQAAWq9J7mGlIrMAAAAASUVORK5CYII=","orcid":"","institution":"Central Silk Board","correspondingAuthor":true,"prefix":"","firstName":"Lalitha","middleName":"","lastName":"Natarajan","suffix":""},{"id":331049041,"identity":"fe2cd0aa-744d-4e74-a22b-4564f5aa4c80","order_by":1,"name":"H Hridya","email":"","orcid":"","institution":"Central Silk Board","correspondingAuthor":false,"prefix":"","firstName":"H","middleName":"","lastName":"Hridya","suffix":""},{"id":331049042,"identity":"225bb2c6-c777-438a-a992-bed815aa633c","order_by":2,"name":"R Bhuyan","email":"","orcid":"","institution":"Central Silk Board","correspondingAuthor":false,"prefix":"","firstName":"R","middleName":"","lastName":"Bhuyan","suffix":""},{"id":331049043,"identity":"5766501c-4e79-44a3-836d-b7282023a544","order_by":3,"name":"H Bordoloi","email":"","orcid":"","institution":"Central Silk Board","correspondingAuthor":false,"prefix":"","firstName":"H","middleName":"","lastName":"Bordoloi","suffix":""},{"id":331049046,"identity":"13bd695b-58d7-4702-853b-9fc4abaaf885","order_by":4,"name":"P.S Sivakumar","email":"","orcid":"","institution":"CTCRI: Central Tuber Crops Research Institute","correspondingAuthor":false,"prefix":"","firstName":"P.S","middleName":"","lastName":"Sivakumar","suffix":""},{"id":331049048,"identity":"0bd56e41-ba0a-4539-a7df-b57d6efb9d83","order_by":5,"name":"P. Borpuzari","email":"","orcid":"","institution":"Central Silk Board","correspondingAuthor":false,"prefix":"","firstName":"P.","middleName":"","lastName":"Borpuzari","suffix":""}],"badges":[],"createdAt":"2023-08-05 16:40:56","currentVersionCode":1,"declarations":"","doi":"10.21203/rs.3.rs-3237806/v1","doiUrl":"https://doi.org/10.21203/rs.3.rs-3237806/v1","draftVersion":[],"editorialEvents":[{"content":"https://doi.org/10.1007/s42690-025-01465-z","type":"published","date":"2025-03-13T15:58:52+00:00"}],"editorialNote":"","failedWorkflow":false,"files":[{"id":78689124,"identity":"21ba68d7-2ac2-4da9-8384-4bac3bcd8e25","added_by":"auto","created_at":"2025-03-17 16:11:34","extension":"pdf","order_by":0,"title":"","display":"","copyAsset":false,"role":"manuscript-pdf","size":755358,"visible":true,"origin":"","legend":"","description":"","filename":"manuscript.pdf","url":"https://assets-eu.researchsquare.com/files/rs-3237806/v1/a799ea40-8a91-49ef-a97e-5169acf35f96.pdf"},{"id":62859221,"identity":"286e87b8-3ff2-4a0a-a911-a1127852dbcc","added_by":"auto","created_at":"2024-08-20 10:04:39","extension":"tif","order_by":1,"title":"","display":"","copyAsset":false,"role":"supplement","size":1479100,"visible":true,"origin":"","legend":"","description":"","filename":"GRAPHCALABSTRACT.tif","url":"https://assets-eu.researchsquare.com/files/rs-3237806/v1/47233023208e7a8f2202e7cc.tif"},{"id":62859218,"identity":"020028ba-0e97-4908-9c8c-9a62bf227dcd","added_by":"auto","created_at":"2024-08-20 10:04:39","extension":"docx","order_by":2,"title":"","display":"","copyAsset":false,"role":"supplement","size":14936,"visible":true,"origin":"","legend":"","description":"","filename":"SupplementaryTable1.docx","url":"https://assets-eu.researchsquare.com/files/rs-3237806/v1/6eb530b514d1e46b8f722f5c.docx"}],"financialInterests":"","formattedTitle":"Cocooning with Cassava: Exploring the commercial rearing and seed production potential of Samia ricini Donovan on different Cassava varieties","fulltext":[{"header":"Introduction","content":"\u003cp\u003eCassava \u003cem\u003e(Manihot esculenta\u003c/em\u003e Crantz\u003cem\u003e)\u003c/em\u003e of Euphorbiaceae family is an indigenous crop to South America which is copiously cultivated in tropical countries globally. It is the third-largest food source rich in carbohydrates in the tropics, after rice and maize, and is grown in 105 countries. The adventitious roots of this plant produce starch-rich tuber, which is regarded as a staple food for more than 800\u0026nbsp;million people globally (Chimphepo et al., \u003cspan citationid=\"CR7\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2021\u003c/span\u003e; Blagbrough et al., \u003cspan citationid=\"CR3\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2010\u003c/span\u003e). Cassava is vital as feed and industrial raw material, as well as an energy source, making it ideal for cascade use (Reilly et al., 2004; Latif and Muller, 2014; Rahman and Awerije, \u003cspan citationid=\"CR27\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2016\u003c/span\u003e). Cassava has a higher starch accumulation capacity (121 mJ ha\u003csup\u003e\u0026minus;\u0026thinsp;1\u003c/sup\u003e day\u003csup\u003e\u0026minus;\u0026thinsp;1\u003c/sup\u003e), drought tolerance and resistance to low soil nutrient levels than other starchy crops, allowing it to be produced in regions where other crops fail to survive (Horton and Fano, \u003cspan citationid=\"CR15\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e1985\u003c/span\u003e; Edison, 2006; Howeler, \u003cspan citationid=\"CR17\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2012\u003c/span\u003e, Li et al., \u003cspan citationid=\"CR24\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2017\u003c/span\u003e). Global production of Cassava in 2021 extends to 314\u0026nbsp;million tons. Africa is the leading producer contributing 64.7%, Followed by Asia 26.8%, America 8.5% and Oceania 0.1%. The leading producers are Nigeria, Congo, Thailand, Ghana, Indonesia, Brazil, Vietnam, Angola, Cambodia and C\u0026ocirc;te d'Ivoire. India produced 6.94\u0026nbsp;million tons and stands 15th in global production of Cassava (FAOSTAT, \u003cspan citationid=\"CR13\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2021\u003c/span\u003e). Cassava has some medicinal properties, and it boosts energy level, ensures healthy weight gain, helps prevent Alzheimer\u0026rsquo;s disease and cardiovascular diseases and useful for muscle growth and development maintaining optimal blood pressure (Chandrasekara and Kumar, 2016). Besides tuber, the foliage of Cassava has gained importance as human food and is consumed as a vegetable in many countries in sub-Saharan Africa as well as in Asian countries like Indonesia, Phillippines and Malaysia (Latif and Mulker, 2015). In recent years, Cassava has been used as an alternate feed source for the Eri silkworm, a sericigenous lepidopteran insect which produces \u0026lsquo;Eri silk\u0026rsquo;.\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e \u003cem\u003eSamia ricini\u003c/em\u003e (Donovan) is an economically important insect in many parts of the world, especially in Asia and Africa, for production of Eri silk. Eri silkworm, feeds primarily on castor (\u003cem\u003eRicinus communis\u003c/em\u003e Linn.). Eri silkworm is polyphagous with multiple host plants like \u003cem\u003eHeteropanax fragrans, Manihot esculenta\u003c/em\u003e Crantz, \u003cem\u003eAilanthus grandis\u003c/em\u003e Baiu, \u003cem\u003eAilanthus excelsa\u003c/em\u003e Roxb, \u003cem\u003ePlumeria acutifolia, Gmelina arborea, Evodia fraxinifolia\u003c/em\u003e etc. Bindroo et al. (\u003cspan citationid=\"CR1\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2007\u003c/span\u003e) reported 24 plant species as host of eri silkworm. At the same time, Arora and Gupta (1979) reported that eri silkworm is known to feed on more than 30 host plant species. Research studies reveal that the growth, development, silk production and egg production depend on the host plant quality and nutritional composition consumed. The deficit in the host plant consumption will be reflected in the silkworm\u0026rsquo;s physiological development (Sarkar et al., \u003cspan citationid=\"CR32\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2015\u003c/span\u003e).\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eAlthough Cassava is a secondary host plant for the eri silkworm, the leaves possess abundant/great economic traits regarding nutrient composition and the ability to produce abundant foliage quickly (Sakthivel, \u003cspan citationid=\"CR29\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2016\u003c/span\u003e). The Cassava bestows economic gain to the growers, by taking up ericulture as a subsidiary revenue source utilizing the foliage. However, the quality of cassava varieties varies, and their effect on the silkworm\u0026rsquo;s growth, development, and reproductive performance needs to be better understood. Further, the Eri pupae are consumed in Northeast India and other South Asian countries as a delicacy (Chutia et al., \u003cspan citationid=\"CR8\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2014\u003c/span\u003e). The level of α-linolenic acid content in the pupal oil of Cassava reared silkworms was 58.3% which is significantly higher than castor fed silkworm pupal oil content that is 42.9% suggesting the nutritional index of the pupae with predominant trilinolenin content (Shanker et al., \u003cspan citationid=\"CR36\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2006\u003c/span\u003e). The success of Eri silkworm rearing largely depends on the quality and quantity of the food provided to the larvae. However, only on few hosts, developmental biology and reproductive performance have been studied. The information on reproductive performance of eri silkworm on secondary hosts was sparse. Hence, an attempt was made to study the seed cocoon rearing and reproductive performance of eri silkworm when fed on different foliage rich cassava varieties.\u003c/p\u003e"},{"header":"Materials and Methods","content":"\u003cdiv id=\"Sec3\" class=\"Section2\"\u003e \u003ch2\u003eExperimental Site\u003c/h2\u003e \u003cp\u003eThe experiment was conducted at Block-I (26\u0026deg;6'10.52\"N 92\u0026deg;10'5.53\"E) P2 Eri basic seed farm, Central Silk Board, Topatoli, Kamrup. Assam, India during 2021. The cassava plantation was raised during April 2021 and rearing and seed production trials were conducted during August to October 2021. The seasonal temperature and humidity were in line with the standard conditions.\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv id=\"Sec4\" class=\"Section2\"\u003e \u003ch2\u003eMethodology\u003c/h2\u003e \u003cp\u003eSeven foliage rich cassava varieties were selected for the study. The high yielding non-blooming red variety of castor was taken as control, being the primary host plant. The ICAR-Central Tuber Crop Research Institute (CTCRI, ICAR) at Sreekariyam, Trivandrum provided certain promising varieties like Sree Raksha (High yielding and resistant to cassava mosaic virus) and foliage rich breeding lines MNS-57, 58, 59,127 for eri silkworm rearing evaluation under ICAR-CTCRI NEH Programme. Apart from these varieties, the local cassava variety from Majuli, Assam and Tura, Meghalaya were also planted in the farm and grown adopting standard agronomical package of practices. Rearing was carried out, and the treatments were arranged in a completely randomized design C.R.D in three replications. The silkworm rearing room was disinfected prior to the rearing. Healthy hundred worms were used for rearing in each replication following the standardized methods of rearing (Sarmah, \u003cspan citationid=\"CR33\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2004\u003c/span\u003e). The eggs were incubated at room temperature 28\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;2\u0026deg;C, 80\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;5% RH and 10 hrs photoperiod. The experiment was conducted from newly hatched larvae to adult formation feeding with control and the selected cassava varieties. Mature worms were collected and allowed for spinning in the mountages. Rearing variables like mature larval weight, larval length, larva duration, pupation rate (%), and Effective rate of rearing (%) were recorded. After the sixth day of spinning, cocoons were harvested, economic parameters assessed and placed on trays for moth emergence. Cocoon parameters such as cocoon length, cocoon weight, shell weight, pupal weight and shell ratio was recorded. Seed production was also documented as per standard methods. The reproductive parameters such as seed cocoon yield per dfl, percentage of moth emergence, coupling percentage, fecundity, cocoon to dfl ratio and hatching percent were recorded.\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv id=\"Sec5\" class=\"Section2\"\u003e \u003ch2\u003eStatistical analysis\u003c/h2\u003e \u003cp\u003eThe data were subjected to analysis of variance (ANOVA) to test the significance of variation among the different cassava varieties and control. Multiple comparison of mean values was made depending on the F ratio and the critical difference (CD) values based on the student t criteria at 5 and 1% levels of significance utilizing the standard methods (Gomez and Gomez, \u003cspan citationid=\"CR14\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e1984\u003c/span\u003e).\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/div\u003e"},{"header":"Results and discussion","content":"\u003cdiv id=\"Sec7\" class=\"Section2\"\u003e \u003ch2\u003eEffect of Cassava varieties on rearing performance of eri silkworms\u003c/h2\u003e \u003cp\u003eThe data on rearing performance of eri silkworms fed on different cassava varieties are presented in Table\u0026nbsp;\u003cspan refid=\"Tab1\" class=\"InternalRef\"\u003e1\u003c/span\u003e. The results demonstrated that the control had the highest weight of fifth instar larva (7.74\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.73 g), followed by the cassava varieties Majuli local (7.01\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.62 g) and Sree Raksha (6.89\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.57 g). Regarding larval length, the Sree Raksha had the highest value (6.78\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.30 cm), while the lowest was observed in the MNS 127 (6.18\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.18 cm). However, the larval length of the silkworms did not differ significantly between the cassava varieties and control. The shortest larval duration was recorded in the control (20.20\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.84 days) followed by Sree Raksha (22.20\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.84 days) and Majuli local (22.80\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;1.64 days). The larval duration was the longest in the MNS 59 variety (25.40\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;1.52 days) among the cassava varieties studied. The shorter development time for larval growth indicates more suitability of the host plant variety as food. On the contrary, relatively longer larval duration suggested lesser suitability of the host for rearing. Earlier, studies on eri silkworm fed with Cassava at Indonesia recorded a larval duration of 21 days indicating a good host (Dinata \u003cem\u003eet al\u003c/em\u003e., 2019). The pupation percentage was highest in the control (96.99\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.55%), followed by the Majuli variety (95.93\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.37%) and Sree Raksha variety (95.05\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.58%). The lowest pupation percentage was observed in the MNS 58 variety (92.31\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;1.35%). However, all the cassava varieties studied, were observed to have pupation more than 90%, signifying their suitability as hosts.\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e \u003cdiv class=\"gridtable\"\u003e\u003ctable float=\"Yes\" id=\"Tab1\" border=\"1\"\u003e \u003ccaption language=\"En\"\u003e \u003cdiv class=\"CaptionNumber\"\u003eTable 1\u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv class=\"CaptionContent\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eRearing performance of eri silkworms fed on different cassava varieties\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/div\u003e \u003c/caption\u003e \u003ccolgroup cols=\"6\"\u003e \u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c1\" colnum=\"1\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c2\" colnum=\"2\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c3\" colnum=\"3\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c4\" colnum=\"4\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c5\" colnum=\"5\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c6\" colnum=\"6\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003cthead\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eCassava Var\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/th\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eWeight of fifth instar larva (g)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/th\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eLarval length\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e(cm)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/th\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eLarval duration (days)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/th\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003ePupation (%)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/th\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eERR (%)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/th\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003c/thead\u003e \u003ctbody\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eTura\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e6.65\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.43\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e6.64\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.30\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e23.80\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;1.30\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e94.89\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.66\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e63.92\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;1.00\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eMajuli\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e7.01\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.62\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e6.42\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.23\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e22.80\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;1.64\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e95.93\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.37\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e81.76\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;1.24\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eSree Raksha\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e6.89\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.57\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e6.78\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.30\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e22.20\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.84\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e95.05\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.58\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e80.60\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;1.06\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eMNS 57\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e6.38\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.45\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e6.40\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.41\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e24.80\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.84\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e92.34\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;1.32\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e70.57\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;1.33\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eMNS 58\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e6.26\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.38\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e6.24\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.28\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e25.00\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.71\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e92.31\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;1.35\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e69.68\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;1.37\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eMNS 59\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e6.15\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.24\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e6.30\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.41\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e25.40\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;1.52\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e92.94\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.59\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e67.88\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.57\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eMNS 127\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e6.18\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.22\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e6.18\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.18\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e24.20\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;1.48\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e92.48\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.61\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e71.58\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.66\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eControl\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e7.74\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.73\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e6.58\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.32\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e20.20\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.84\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e96.99\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.55\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e83.42\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.47\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eCV\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.57**\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eNS\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e1.41**\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.97**\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e1.20**\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eP value\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.00011\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.0589\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e.000001\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u0026lt;\u0026thinsp;0.001\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u0026lt;\u0026thinsp;0.001\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003c/tbody\u003e \u003c/colgroup\u003e \u003c/table\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e \u003cdiv class=\"gridtable\"\u003e\u003ctable float=\"Yes\" id=\"Tab2\" border=\"1\"\u003e \u003ccaption language=\"En\"\u003e \u003cdiv class=\"CaptionNumber\"\u003eTable 2\u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv class=\"CaptionContent\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eCocoon parameters of eri silkworms fed on different cassava varieties\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/div\u003e \u003c/caption\u003e \u003ccolgroup cols=\"6\"\u003e \u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c1\" colnum=\"1\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c2\" colnum=\"2\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c3\" colnum=\"3\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c4\" colnum=\"4\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c5\" colnum=\"5\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c6\" colnum=\"6\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003cthead\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eCassava Var\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/th\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eCocoon length (cm)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/th\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eSingle cocoon weight (g)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/th\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eSingle shell weight (g)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/th\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eSingle pupal weight (g)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/th\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eShell ratio (%)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/th\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003c/thead\u003e \u003ctbody\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eTura\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e5.28\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.48\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e3.12\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.48\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.42\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.04\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e2.70\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.50\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e13.77\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;2.92\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eMajuli\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e5.52\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.22\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e3.96\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.17\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.52\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.06\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e3.44\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.21\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e13.18\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;1.89\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eSree Raksha\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e5.60\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.16\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e3.82\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.20\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.50\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.04\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e3.32\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.22\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e13.03\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;1.41\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eMNS 57\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e4.98\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.13\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e2.96\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.33\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.40\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.00\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e2.56\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.33\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e13.64\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;1.47\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eMNS 58\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e5.08\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.28\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e2.74\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.19\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.38\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.04\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e2.36\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.18\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e13.73\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;1.10\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eMNS 59\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e5.02\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.13\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e2.60\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.42\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.34\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.04\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e2.26\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.39\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e13.13\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;1.48\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eMNS 127\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e5.20\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.45\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e2.78\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.27\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.37\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.04\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e2.41\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.26\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e13.53\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;1.96\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eControl\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e5.36\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.27\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e4.20\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.24\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.59\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.02\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e3.61\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.25\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e14.08\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.97\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eCV\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.30**\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.36**\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.05**\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.36**\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eNS\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eP value\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e.000787\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u0026lt;\u0026thinsp;0.001\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u0026lt;\u0026thinsp;0.001\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u0026lt;\u0026thinsp;0.001\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.98\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003c/tbody\u003e \u003c/colgroup\u003e \u003c/table\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eEffective Rate of Rearing (ERR), an economic parameter, that implies the percentage of the number of cocoons harvested to the number of larvae brushed, showed a significant difference when eri silkworms were fed on different cassava varieties. Among the cassava varieties studied, Majuli local registered maximum ERR (81.76\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;1.24%) closely followed by Sree Raksha variety (80.60\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;1.06%). The primary food plant castor recorded the highest ERR (83.42\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.47%) and the lowest ERR was observed in the MNS 59 variety (67.88\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.57%) (Table\u0026nbsp;\u003cspan refid=\"Tab1\" class=\"InternalRef\"\u003e1\u003c/span\u003e). The effect of Cassava on different growth parameters of eri silkworm during autumn season rearing in Assam was evaluated and found to be on par with castor, primary host, in terms of rearing performance with an ERR of 90% (Dulumani Das, 2015). Castor fed eri worms resulted in economic traits for seed cocoon; however, solely reared eri in Cassava showed extended rearing period and had inferior economic characteristics. (Joshi \u003cem\u003eet al\u003c/em\u003e., 1985; Joshi, \u003cspan citationid=\"CR20\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e1992\u003c/span\u003e). Sakthivel et al., \u003cspan citationid=\"CR31\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2018\u003c/span\u003e reported that the castor feeding up to fourth-instar followed by fifth instar feeding on cassava which is sixth to eighth months after the crop gives better crop yield. Similarly, initial two instars feeding in ten months old cassava followed by late age rearing in castor is also found significantly better. Similar studies of dual crop rearing performance were evaluated by Deka et al., \u003cspan citationid=\"CR9\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2011\u003c/span\u003e and reported to give better yields. This enables the eri rearer to manage the leaf scarcity.\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eThe current study suggests that the different cassava varieties have an impact on the rearing performance of eri silkworms, with some varieties showing better results than others. The control (castor) generally outperformed most cassava varieties regarding the weight of fifth instar larva, pupation percentage, and ERR. However, cassava varieties Majuli, Sree Raksha and Tura showed comparable or even better results than the control in specific parameters such as mature larval weight, larva length and pupation percentage. Therefore, it is essential to consider the specific parameter of interest. Overall, the comparison to the control provides a useful benchmark to evaluate the effectiveness of the different treatments and can inform the selection of the most suitable cassava variety for eri silkworm rearing that can match the economic traits of primary host-castor rearing.\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv id=\"Sec8\" class=\"Section2\"\u003e \u003ch2\u003eEffect of Cassava varieties on cocoon parameters of eri silkworms\u003c/h2\u003e \u003cp\u003eThe cocoon parameters of eri silkworms across various varieties of cassava consumed by them were studied. The results showed that the cocoon length was highest in the Sree Raksha (5.60\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.16 cm), followed by Majuli variety (5.52\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.22 cm) and Tura (5.28\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.48 cm), while the lowest values were observed in MNS 57 (4.98\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.13 cm). The control was recorded at par cocoon length (5.36\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.27cm). The highest single cocoon weight was observed in the control (4.20\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.24 g), followed by Majuli variety (3.96\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.17 g) and Sree Raksha (3.82\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.20 g). Similarly, the highest single shell weight was found in the control (0.59\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.02 g), followed by Majuli (0.52\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.06 g) and Sree Raksha (0.50\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.04 g), while the lowest values were observed in MNS 59 (0.34\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.04 g). In terms of single pupal weight, the control (3.61\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.25 g), Majuli (3.44\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.21 g) and Sree Raksha (3.32\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.22 g) were at par. The shell ratio of all the cassava varieties studies were at par and not significantly different from the control. Repeated evaluation studies of certain cassava varieties on eri rearing can offer scope to replace the primary host, which is scarcely available in certain seasons of the year.\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eIn the trial study conducted by Cluster Development Centre, Central Silk Board, Agali in Palakkad district Kerala for motivating Cassava growers to take up Ericulture, the Mosaic tolerant variety \u0026lsquo;Sree Vishakam\u0026rsquo; proved to be utilized for Ericulture with a shell ratio of 13.71% (Sathyanarayana et al., \u003cspan citationid=\"CR34\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2007\u003c/span\u003e). Saud et al. (\u003cspan citationid=\"CR35\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2016\u003c/span\u003e) found that Sree Vijaya had a higher tuber yield and 75% defoliation yielded a higher leaf yield. Balijan local fed worms had the shortest rearing period and eri silkworms performed better in cocoon parameters when reared with Sree Vijaya leaves, followed by Sree Jaya. The study also revealed that the sericulture component made cassava production more profitable, with an additional income for the farmers. Sakthivel (\u003cspan citationid=\"CR29\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2016\u003c/span\u003e) reported that the MVD1 and H226 Cassava varieties had superior economic traits with higher cocoon yields.\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eIn Cambodia, defoliation up to 80% after four months of planting yielded Cassava tuber in K.M 94 Cassava variety without any detrimental effect (Kawabe et al., \u003cspan citationid=\"CR21\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2014\u003c/span\u003e). In the current study, defoliation was carried out upto 80% without any detrimental effect to the tuber production (Supplementary Table\u0026nbsp;1), whereas in the primary host plant castor only 25\u0026ndash;40% defoliation is recommended without affecting the seed oil production (Raghavaiah, \u003cspan citationid=\"CR5\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2003\u003c/span\u003e; Kedir et al., \u003cspan citationid=\"CR22\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2014\u003c/span\u003e). In Kasetsart 50 and Rayong 11 varieties of cassava, no negative impact on tuber yield was observed upon harvest of 30\u0026ndash;40% leaves in three batches in Thailand. Phengvichith \u003cem\u003eet al\u003c/em\u003e. 2006 showed that leaf yields were increasing according to the harvesting frequency in contrast with tuber yields. (Buamuanghia \u003cem\u003eet al\u003c/em\u003e., 2017). A study was conducted in Tamil Nadu to determine the optimal cassava leaf harvest that would not reduce tuber yield in seven different cassava varieties. The study found that CO4, H226, and MVD1 varieties had high tuber yield with starch content when 30% of their leaves were harvested bimonthly post eight months after planting. CO3, H165, and Kunguma Rose varieties could tolerate up to 20%, 20%, and 10% leaf harvest respectively. MVD1, H226, and CO4 are high leaf yielding varieties that can be used for eri crop rearing in irrigated soil conditions to generate additional revenue. In conclusion, these findings suggest that different varieties of cassava may affect the cocoon parameters of eri silkworms, which could have implications for the silk industry.\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv id=\"Sec9\" class=\"Section2\"\u003e \u003ch2\u003eEffect of reproductive performance on eri silkworm fed with Cassava varieties\u003c/h2\u003e \u003cp\u003eTable\u0026nbsp;\u003cspan refid=\"Tab3\" class=\"InternalRef\"\u003e3\u003c/span\u003e provides the reproductive performance of eri silkworms fed on different cassava varieties, where the following parameters were evaluated: The highest seed cocoon yield per dfl was observed in the Majuli variety (187.60\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;12.58), followed by Sree Raksha (183.40\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;9.15) and Tura (179.40\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;7.33) than control. The lowest yield was obtained from MNS 127 (159.40\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;9.15). Regarding moth emergence percentage, the highest was observed in control (83.80\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;3.77), while the lowest was observed in MNS 58 (69.20\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;3.70). The coupling percentage was highest in control (88.80\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;2.39), and Sree Raksha (87.80\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;3.27), while the lowest was observed in MNS 58 (81.00\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;4.24). Fecundity was highest in the Majuli (342.60\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;31.56) followed by control (331.00\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;35.74) and Sree Raksha (330.80\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;19.54). The lowest fecundity was observed in MNS 57 (291.20\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;12.21). The oviposition rate in fertile female moth was higher in first three days and declined in consecutive days (Jayaprakash \u003cem\u003eet al\u003c/em\u003e., 2010). Nurkomar et al. (\u003cspan citationid=\"CR26\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2022\u003c/span\u003e) assessed the impact of three different cassava species, namely \u003cem\u003eManihot glaziovii, M. esculenta\u003c/em\u003e, and \u003cem\u003eM. utilissima\u003c/em\u003e, on the reproductive capacity of Eri silkworms based on their nutrient content, with a special focus on nitrogen. They found that survivability rates of larvae decreased by up to 20% post-third stage upon \u003cem\u003eM. utilissima\u003c/em\u003e feeding. Higher fecundity was observed in \u003cem\u003eM. glaziovii\u003c/em\u003e and \u003cem\u003eM. esculenta\u003c/em\u003e. cassava rearing of eri silkworm during autumn season exhibited SR % 11.87\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.34 and fecundity of 370 nos per dfl (Dulumani Das, 2015).\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e \u003cdiv class=\"gridtable\"\u003e\u003ctable float=\"Yes\" id=\"Tab3\" border=\"1\"\u003e \u003ccaption language=\"En\"\u003e \u003cdiv class=\"CaptionNumber\"\u003eTable 3\u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv class=\"CaptionContent\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eReproductive performance of eri silkworms fed on different cassava varieties\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/div\u003e \u003c/caption\u003e \u003ccolgroup cols=\"7\"\u003e \u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c1\" colnum=\"1\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c2\" colnum=\"2\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c3\" colnum=\"3\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c4\" colnum=\"4\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c5\" colnum=\"5\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c6\" colnum=\"6\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c7\" colnum=\"7\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003cthead\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eCassava Var\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/th\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eSeed cocoon yield per dfl\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/th\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eMoth emergence %\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/th\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eCoupling %\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/th\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eFecundity\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/th\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eCocoon to dfl ratio\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/th\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eHatching %\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/th\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003c/thead\u003e \u003ctbody\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eTura\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e179.40\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;7.33\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e76.20\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;3.35\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e81.20\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;5.31\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e302.40\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;40.73\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e4.56\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.67\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e79.20\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;4.44\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eMajuli\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e187.60\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;12.58\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e82.40\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;3.21\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e86.20\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;5.63\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e342.60\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;31.56\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e3.76\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.42\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e80.00\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;4.18\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eSree Raksha\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e183.40\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;9.15\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e80.60\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;3.85\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e87.80\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;3.27\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e330.80\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;19.54\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e3.81\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.35\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e80.20\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;2.86\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eMNS 57\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e169.40\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;8.99\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e71.20\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;4.87\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e82.60\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;5.27\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e291.20\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;12.21\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e4.59\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.36\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e80.00\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;1.87\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eMNS 58\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e165.60\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;6.23\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e69.20\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;3.70\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e81.00\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;4.24\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e283.20\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;13.44\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e4.82\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.37\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e79.20\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;2.59\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eMNS 59\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e170.20\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;8.47\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e70.80\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;4.44\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e81.20\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;2.17\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e286.00\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;27.21\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e4.78\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.57\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e79.40\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;2.19\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eMNS 127\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e159.40\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;9.15\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e68.80\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;6.10\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e82.20\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;1.92\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e289.00\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;11.31\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e4.64\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.24\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e78.80\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;2.17\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eControl\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e203.40\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;17.46\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e83.80\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;3.77\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e88.80\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;2.39\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e331.00\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;35.74\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e3.78\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.41\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e80.60\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;2.70\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eCV\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e12.30**\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e5.00**\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e4.75*\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e30.87**\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.52**\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eNS\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eP value\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e.000004\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e.000001\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.011\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e.00234\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e.00025\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.98\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003c/tbody\u003e \u003c/colgroup\u003e \u003c/table\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eThe cocoon to dfl ratio was observed to be effective in Majuli (3.76\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.42) and highest in MNS 58 (4.82\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.37), followed by MNS 59 (4.78\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.57). The hatching percentage was highest in the control (80.60\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;2.70), followed by Sree Raksha (80.20\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;2.86) and Majuli (80.00\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;4.18). The lowest hatching percentage was observed in MNS 127 (78.80\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;2.17). Similarly, cassava varieties MVD1 and H226 fed eri silkworm have been reported with high silk percentages, fecundity and hatching percentage. The silk percentages were 15.867 and 15.305, fecundity and hatching percentages were 349.75 (95.86%) and 347.73 (95.28%), respectively (Sakthivel, \u003cspan citationid=\"CR29\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2016\u003c/span\u003e). In summary, the results suggest that different cassava varieties have varying effects on the reproductive performance of eri silkworms. The present study suggests two promising varieties, Majuli and Sree Raksha in terms of seed cocoon yield per dfl and coupling percentage respectively, and could be further explored.\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/div\u003e"},{"header":"Conclusion and future prospective","content":"\u003cp\u003eCastor has been established as a primary host plant for eri silkworm rearing. Cassava stands next to castor with rearing and grainage traits (Birari et al., \u003cspan citationid=\"CR2\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2019\u003c/span\u003e). The study by Deka et al. (\u003cspan citationid=\"CR9\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2011\u003c/span\u003e) evaluated the impact of feeding Eri silkworms with castor, kesseru, and cassava, either separately or in combination. Castor performed better than kesseru and cassava, and interchanging crops during the early and late stages of rearing improved performance. However, cassava and its combination with castor showed some high traits such as larva weight, fecundity, ERR%, and shell ratio in different seasons. Additionally, feeding chawki worms with castor in the early stage and later with cassava resulted in better performance. It is recommended that cassava farmers could grow castor as border plants for early-stage (chawki) rearing.\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eScreening and evaluation of high-performing cassava varieties released by Research institutes should be recommended for eri rearing. Such recommendations will provide the best alternative way to substitute primary host without compromising the economic traits of cocoon and sustain eri culture throughout the year. However quantitative and qualitative castor leaf production throughout the year is a limitation despite the high cost of cultivation compared to cassava. However, during summer, rearing on cassava leaves gave more silk % which was 13.60% and castor was 11.64% (Mani et al., \u003cspan citationid=\"CR25\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2002\u003c/span\u003e). In conclusion, the choice of cassava variety for feeding eri silkworm larvae can significantly affect their growth, development, and reproductive performance. Further research is needed to determine the optimal feeding regime for eri silkworms using different cassava varieties to maximize silk production and also standardize seed production.\u003c/p\u003e"},{"header":"Declarations","content":"\u003cp\u003e \u003ch2\u003eCompeting Interest\u003c/h2\u003e \u003cp\u003eAuthors declare no conflict of Interest\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eAcknowledgements\u003c/h2\u003e \u003cp\u003eThe authors would like to extend sincere gratitude and appreciation to ICAR CTCRI for providing the Cassava setts to propagate and study. We also acknowledge the sustained cooperation from the Central Silk Board in Bangalore, India, and the Muga Eri Silkworm Seed Organization, Central Silk Board, Guwahati, Assam, India.\u003c/p\u003e"},{"header":"References","content":"\u003col\u003e\n \u003cli\u003eBindroo, B.B., N.T.Singh, A.K.Sahu and R.Chakravorty, 2007. Eri silkworm host plants. \u003cem\u003eIndian Silk\u003c/em\u003e, 5, 13\u0026ndash;16.\u003c/li\u003e\n \u003cli\u003eBirari, V.V., Siddhapara, M.R. and Desai, A.V., 2019. Rearing performance of eri silkworm, Samia ricini (Donovan) on different host plants. \u003cem\u003eJournal of Farm Sciences\u003c/em\u003e, \u003cem\u003e32\u003c/em\u003e(4), 443-446.\u003c/li\u003e\n \u003cli\u003eBlagbrough IS, Bayoumi SA, Rowan MG, Beeching JR. Cassava: an appraisal of its phytochemistry and its biotechnological prospects. 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Thiruvananthapuram, India: Central Tuber Crops Research Institute, Indian Council of Agricultural Research.\u003c/li\u003e\n \u003cli\u003eFAOSTAT 2021 https://www.fao.org/faostat/en/#data/QCL/visualize\u003c/li\u003e\n \u003cli\u003eGomez, K.A. and Gomez, A.A., (1984) Statistical Procedures for Agricultural Research. 2\u003csup\u003end\u003c/sup\u003e Edn., John Wiley and Sons, New York.\u003c/li\u003e\n \u003cli\u003eHorton, D.E. and Fano, H. (1985). Potato Atlas \u0026nbsp;Atlas de la Pomme deTerre Atlas de la Papa. 19 : 52\u003c/li\u003e\n \u003cli\u003eStrunk Jr., W., White, E.B., 2000. The Elements of Style, fourth ed. Longman, New York. Reference to a chapter in an edited book: Mettam, G.R., Adams, L.B., 2009. How to prepare an electronic version of your article, in: Jones, B.S., Smith , R.Z. (Eds.), Introduction to the Electronic Age. E-Publishing Inc., New York, pp. 281\u0026ndash;304.\u0026nbsp;\u003c/li\u003e\n \u003cli\u003eHoweler, Reinhardt H. (ed.). 2012. The cassava handbook : A reference manual based on the Asian Regional Cassava Training Course, held in Thailand. Centro Internacional de Agricultura Tropical (CIAT), Bangkok, Thailand. pp. 1-801.\u003c/li\u003e\n \u003cli\u003eJaya prakash, P., jaikishan singh, R.S., sanjeeva rao, B.V. and vijay kumar, M., 2010. Studies on ovipositional behaviour and preference of eri silkworm, Samia cynthia ricini boisduval under semi arid tropics of india. S\u0026eacute;ricologia, \u003cem\u003e50\u003c/em\u003e(2), 233-244.\u003c/li\u003e\n \u003cli\u003eJoshi, K.L. (1985) Studies on growth indices for eri silkworm, Philosamia ricini hutt. (Lepidoptera: Saturniidae). Sericologia, 25, 313-319.\u003c/li\u003e\n \u003cli\u003eJoshi, K.L. (1992) Evaluation of diets for larvae of the eri silkworm, \u003cem\u003eSamia cynthia\u003c/em\u003e ricini Boisduval (Lepidoptera: Saturniidae). Indian J.\u0026nbsp;Seric. 31, 49-51.\u003c/li\u003e\n \u003cli\u003eKawabe, K., Mihara, M. and Itagaki, K., 2014. Changes in Cassava Yields with Trimmed Leaves for Eri-culture in Kampong Cham Province, Cambodia. \u003cem\u003eInt. j. environ. rural dev\u003c/em\u003e.\u003cem\u003e5\u003c/em\u003e(1), 182-187.\u003c/li\u003e\n \u003cli\u003eKedir, S., Emana, G. and Waktole, S., 2014. Rearing performance of eri-silkworm (Samia cynthia ricini Boisduval)(Lepidoptera: Saturniidae) fed with different castor (Ricinus communis L.) genotypes. J. Entomol. \u003cem\u003e11\u003c/em\u003e(1), 25-33.\u003c/li\u003e\n \u003cli\u003eLatif, S., \u0026amp; Muller, J. (2015). The potential of cassava leaves in human nutrition: a review. Trends Food. Scie. Tech. 44(2), 147-158.\u003c/li\u003e\n \u003cli\u003eLi, S., Yu, X., Lei, N., Cheng, Z., Zhao, P., He, Y., Wang, W. and Peng, M., 2017. Genome-wide identification and functional prediction of cold and/or drought-responsive lncRNAs in cassava.\u0026nbsp;Sci.\u0026nbsp;Rep. 7(1), 45981.\u003c/li\u003e\n \u003cli\u003eMani, H.C., Singh, B.K. and Chakravorty, R., 2002. Water-soluble protein and free amino acid (FAA) profiles of the haemolymph of the larva of Eri Silkworm, \u003cem\u003ePhilosamia ricini\u003c/em\u003e Hutt., in relation to the presence of proteins of such nature and FAA in the diets fed by these caterpillars. \u003cem\u003eJ. Adv. Zool\u003c/em\u003e. 23(2), 85-87.\u003c/li\u003e\n \u003cli\u003eNurkomar, I., Trisnawati, D.W. and Arrasyid, F., life cycle and survivorship of eri silkworm, samia cynthia ricini biosduval (lepidoptera: saturniidae) on three different cassava leaves diet, Serangga 2022, 27(1), 94-105.\u003c/li\u003e\n \u003cli\u003eRahman, S. and Awerije, B.O., 2016. Exploring the potential of cassava in promoting agricultural growth in Nigeria. \u003cem\u003eJ. Agric. Rural Dev. 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Published by the Director CMER \u0026amp; TI, Lahdoigarh, Jorhat, Assam.\u003c/li\u003e\n \u003cli\u003eSathyanarayana, K., John, J.N., Shetty, K.K. and Amarnath, S.,2007 Tapioca-An asset of Kerala with diversified economic utility. \u003cem\u003eBlack, Caspian Seas and Central Asia Silk Association (BACSA) www. bacsa-silk. org\u003c/em\u003e, p.295.\u003c/li\u003e\n \u003cli\u003eSaud, B.K., Alam, S., Dutta, L., Narzary, B.D. and Bora, P., 2016. Cassava Leaves Defoliation for Eri Silk Worm Rearing and its Impact on Cassava Tuber Yield. J.\u0026nbsp;root crops, 42(2), 103-106.\u003c/li\u003e\n \u003cli\u003eShanker, K.S., Shireesha, K., Kanjilal, S., Kumar, S.V., Srinivas, C., Rao, J.V. and Prasad, R.B., 2006. Isolation and characterization of neutral lipids of desilked eri silkworm pupae grown on castor and tapioca leaves. J. Agric. Food Chem. 54(9), 3305-3309.\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003c/ol\u003e"}],"fulltextSource":"","fullText":"","funders":[],"hasAdminPriorityOnWorkflow":false,"hasManuscriptDocX":true,"hasOptedInToPreprint":true,"hasPassedJournalQc":"","hasAnyPriority":false,"hideJournal":false,"highlight":"","institution":"","isAcceptedByJournal":true,"isAuthorSuppliedPdf":false,"isDeskRejected":"","isHiddenFromSearch":false,"isInQc":false,"isInWorkflow":true,"isPdf":false,"isPdfUpToDate":true,"isWithdrawnOrRetracted":false,"journal":{"display":true,"email":"[email protected]","identity":"international-journal-of-tropical-insect-science","isNatureJournal":false,"hasQc":true,"allowDirectSubmit":false,"externalIdentity":"jtis","sideBox":"Learn more about [International Journal of Tropical Insect Science](http://link.springer.com/journal/42690)","snPcode":"42690","submissionUrl":"https://www.editorialmanager.com/jtis/default2.aspx","title":"International Journal of Tropical Insect Science","twitterHandle":"","acdcEnabled":true,"dfaEnabled":true,"editorialSystem":"em","reportingPortfolio":"Springer Hybrid","inReviewEnabled":true,"inReviewRevisionsEnabled":false},"keywords":"Cassava, eri silkworm, Samia ricini, rearing and reproductive performance","lastPublishedDoi":"10.21203/rs.3.rs-3237806/v1","lastPublishedDoiUrl":"https://doi.org/10.21203/rs.3.rs-3237806/v1","license":{"name":"CC BY 4.0","url":"https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/"},"manuscriptAbstract":"\u003cp\u003eDifferent cassava varieties\u0026rsquo; differential preferences and performance of eri silkworm \u003cem\u003eSamia ricini\u003c/em\u003e (Donovan), seed cocoon rearing and its reproductive performance were studied. In the current study, seven foliage rich cassava varieties were selected and evaluated as feed for \u003cem\u003eSamia ricini\u003c/em\u003e in comparison with the primary food plant castor (NBR1). The treatments were arranged in a completely randomized design (CRD) in three replications. A significant difference was observed in rearing performance of eri silkworms when fed to leaves of different cassava varieties. Majuli var fed worms recorded mature larval weight (7.01\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.62); pupation percentage (95.93\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.37),effective rate of rearing (81.76\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;1.24%), single cocoon weight (3.96\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.17g), pupal weight (3.44\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.21g) better than all the other varieties of cassava used for rearing followed by Sree Raksha and Tura. Shell ratio percentage of all cassava varieties were on par with control. Based on the eri seed production data, cassava varieties Majuli and Sree Raksha were found to be much superior to all other foliage-rich cassava varieties considered for the study. Overall, the better-performing varieties on par with control are as follows Majuli, Sree Raksha and Tura. These varieties can be recommended for the farmers in Assam for eri cocoon production besides tuber production.\u003c/p\u003e","manuscriptTitle":"Cocooning with Cassava: Exploring the commercial rearing and seed production potential of Samia ricini Donovan on different Cassava varieties","msid":"","msnumber":"","nonDraftVersions":[{"code":1,"date":"2024-08-20 10:04:34","doi":"10.21203/rs.3.rs-3237806/v1","editorialEvents":[{"type":"communityComments","content":0},{"type":"decision","content":"Major revisions","date":"2024-08-27T04:40:13+00:00","index":"","fulltext":""},{"type":"reviewerAgreed","content":"","date":"2024-08-05T07:43:14+00:00","index":0,"fulltext":""},{"type":"reviewersInvited","content":"","date":"2024-07-24T06:40:40+00:00","index":"","fulltext":""},{"type":"editorInvited","content":"International Journal of Tropical Insect Science","date":"2024-07-13T11:33:23+00:00","index":"","fulltext":""},{"type":"editorAssigned","content":"","date":"2023-08-08T08:47:54+00:00","index":"","fulltext":""},{"type":"submitted","content":"International Journal of Tropical Insect Science","date":"2023-08-05T12:40:51+00:00","index":"","fulltext":""}],"status":"published","journal":{"display":true,"email":"[email protected]","identity":"international-journal-of-tropical-insect-science","isNatureJournal":false,"hasQc":true,"allowDirectSubmit":false,"externalIdentity":"jtis","sideBox":"Learn more about [International Journal of Tropical Insect Science](http://link.springer.com/journal/42690)","snPcode":"42690","submissionUrl":"https://www.editorialmanager.com/jtis/default2.aspx","title":"International Journal of Tropical Insect Science","twitterHandle":"","acdcEnabled":true,"dfaEnabled":true,"editorialSystem":"em","reportingPortfolio":"Springer Hybrid","inReviewEnabled":true,"inReviewRevisionsEnabled":false}}],"origin":"","ownerIdentity":"42a5b30b-96e4-454b-9a00-219893e66136","owner":[],"postedDate":"August 20th, 2024","published":true,"recentEditorialEvents":[],"rejectedJournal":[],"revision":"","amendment":"","status":"published-in-journal","subjectAreas":[],"tags":[],"updatedAt":"2025-03-17T16:05:48+00:00","versionOfRecord":{"articleIdentity":"rs-3237806","link":"https://doi.org/10.1007/s42690-025-01465-z","journal":{"identity":"international-journal-of-tropical-insect-science","isVorOnly":false,"title":"International Journal of Tropical Insect Science"},"publishedOn":"2025-03-13 15:58:52","publishedOnDateReadable":"March 13th, 2025"},"versionCreatedAt":"2024-08-20 10:04:34","video":"","vorDoi":"10.1007/s42690-025-01465-z","vorDoiUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1007/s42690-025-01465-z","workflowStages":[]},"version":"v1","identity":"rs-3237806","journalConfig":"researchsquare"},"__N_SSP":true},"page":"/article/[identity]/[[...version]]","query":{"redirect":"/article/rs-3237806","identity":"rs-3237806","version":["v1"]},"buildId":"qtupq5eGEP_6zYnWcrvyt","isFallback":false,"isExperimentalCompile":false,"dynamicIds":[84888],"gssp":true,"scriptLoader":[]}