Mulberry Nutrition and Its Influence on Silkworm Growth and Cocoon Yield

Sericulture, the production of silk, is an agro-based industry that is critically dependent on the nutritional quality of mulberry (Morus spp.) leaves, the exclusive food source for the silkworm, Bombyx mori L. This review critically synthesizes the intricate relationship between mulberry nutrition, silkworm physiology and cocoon productivity. The nutritional status of mulberry leaves, governed by soil fertility and nutrient management practices, directly dictates their biochemical composition, including proteins, carbohydrates, amino acids, minerals and vitamins. Optimized nutrient application, particularly of nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P) and potassium (K), enhances leaf biomass and enriches these key biochemical constituents, thereby improving leaf quality and palatability. High-quality leaves promote superior larval growth, shorten larval duration and increase survival rates by enhancing the activity of digestive enzymes and optimizing metabolic processes in the silkworm. Consequently, improved larval health translates into significant gains in economic traits, such as increased cocoon weight, shell ratio and filament length. This review examines the effects of conventional, organic and integrated nutrient management (INM) strategies on both mulberry cultivation and silkworm rearing performance. Emerging approaches like precision nutrient management and the use of biostimulants offer pathways to further enhance nutrient use efficiency and sustainability. A comprehensive understanding of the mulberry-silkworm nutritional nexus is paramount for developing sustainable sericultural practices that ensure high cocoon yield and superior silk quality, thereby strengthening the economic viability of the silk industry.