Experience of silkworm farming in the sur district of Diyarbakır: Practices and findings

In this study, the development stages and productivity characteristics of silkworm (Bombyx mori) cultivation were investigated under the climatic conditions of the Sur district, the central area of Diyarbakır province. The research was conducted in a breeding unit with an average temperature of 28.3°C and an average humidity of 60.7%. A total of 10.000 silkworm larvae were divided into two groups and fed with two different types of mulberry leaves during the 45-day breeding period. During the experiment, weekly measurements were taken for larval size, weight, the amount of leaves consumed, and mortality rates. At the end of the breeding stages, the amount of fresh and dry cocoons produced was determined.The results showed that, throughout the breeding process and at the end, silkworms fed with different types of mulberry leaves exhibited similar results in terms of larval size, weight, and leaf consumption. At the end of the breeding period, the larvae fed with black mulberry leaves had a length of 775 mm and weight of 48±0.3 mg, while those fed with white mulberry leaves measured 770 mm in length and weighed 44±0.4 mg. The highest mortality rate was observed in the group fed with black mulberry leaves (76%), whereas the group fed with white mulberry leaves had a mortality rate of 64%. Additionally, the group fed with white mulberry leaves produced 1.800 fresh cocoons, while the black mulberry leaf-fed group produced 1.200 fresh cocoons.As a result, it was determined that white mulberry leaves had a more positive effect on the survival rate of larvae and the yield of fresh cocoons under the climatic conditions of Sur district, Diyarbakır province. Therefore, white mulberry leaves are recommended for silkworm cultivation in this region. Keywords: Silkworm farming, Cocoon yield, Mortality rate, Sur district of Diyarbakır