THE EFFECT OF PALM SUGAR SUPPLEMENTATION ON FEED CONSUMPTION AND PERCENTAGE OF SILKWORMS (BOMBYX MORI L.) IN THE END OF INSTAR V

Mulberry (Morus sp.) leaves used in this research were mulberry leaves, is a silkworm feed whose leaf production and quality affect the growth of larvae, cocoon production and quality. The availability of mulberry feed becomes an important factor in the business of silk because of the high demand for silk thread as raw material for silk. To increase the growth of larvae and the production of cocoons and silk thread, an alternative feed is made. The feed consists of mulberry leaf added with palm sugar as an energy source. The purpose of this study was to see the effect of mulberry leaf added with palm sugar on feed consumption and the percentage of silkworm moths (Bombyx mori L) on the 6th day of instar V. This research was conducted at the Perhutani Soppeng Public Corporation in South Sulawesi. 1000 silkworms were used in this research and were divided into 20 boxes. The mulberry leaves used were M. multicaulis leaves and palm sugar was added to the leaves by spraying sugar solution to the fresh leaves. The experimental design uses a Completely Randomized Design (CRD) followed by Least Significance Different (LSD) test. The treatments given are fresh mulberry leaves without palm sugar (GO), mulberry leaves + palm sugar and water (1: 2) (G1), mulberry leaves + palm sugar and water (1: 4) (G2), mulberry leaves + palm sugar and water (1: 6) (G3), and mulberry leaves + palm sugar and water (1: 8) (G4) with four replications. Results indicated that the treatments of feed gave significantly different results (P<0.05) on feed consumption and gave very significantly different results (P<0.01) to the percentage of larvae that still consumed the feed at 6th day of instar V.