Leaf powder of Lawsonia inermis (L) in acetone for the topical application to the fifth instar larvae of silkworm, Bombyx mori (L).

Abstract

The henna, Lawsonia inermis (L) is well known medicinal plant. Due to rich contents of phytochemicals, the leaves, flowers, seeds, stem bark and roots of henna, Lawsonia inermis (L) are used in traditional medicine.The present attempt was aimed to use acetone solution (maceratives) of leaf powder of Lawsonia inermis (L) for the topical application to the fifth instar larvae of silkworm, Bombyx mori (L) [Race: Double Hybrid - (CSR6 x CSR26) x CSR2 x CSR27)]. Acetone solution (maceratives) of leaf powder of Lawsonia inermis (L) of hundred ppm (mg/L) strength was topically applied to the fifth instar larvae of silkworm, Bombyx mori (L) [Race: Double Hybrid - (CSR6 x CSR26) x CSR2 x CSR27)] at 48 hours after the fourth moult, at the rate of 5 ml per hundred larvae. The topical application of acetone solution (maceratives) of leaf powder of Lawsonia inermis (L) was found significantly improving the economic parameters of the silk cocoon and silk fibre. The weight of whole cocoon (deflossed), silk shell weight, weight of pupa and silk shell percentage or ratio in the group recipient of topical application of acetone solution (msaceratives) leaf powder of Lawsonia inermis (L) at 48 hours after the fourth moult was recorded 2.784** (±0.637); 0.657**(±0.058); 2.127 and 23.599*** respectively. The length of silk fibre (in meter); weight of silk fibre (in gram) and denier scale silk fibre obtained through reeling the cocoons harvested from the group of larvae recipient of topical application of acetone solution (maceratives) of leaf powder of Lawsonia inermis (L) at 48 hours after the fourth moult were recorded 1489.34* (±129.52); 0.793** (±0.116) and 4.792*** respectively. The results hypothesize the possibility of action of terpenoid content of leaf powder of Lawsonia inermis (L) to serve to orchestrate the metamorphosis in insects (like silkworm, Bombyx mori L.) through the fortification of shell of silk in the cocoon spinned by the mature fifth instar larvae. Use of herbal products like  Lawsonia inermis (L) in sericulture may open a new avenue in the agriculture technology.

Key Words: Lawsonia inermis (L); Bombyx mori (L); silk shell ratio; denier