STIMULATING EFFECTS OF LOW-LEVELS OF CO-60 GAMMA-RAY ON THE SILKWORM,BOMBYX-MORI (L)

Laboratory experiments were carried out in Egypt to investigate the st imulatory effects of gamma radiation on the Bombyx mori eggs (at late stage of development) with a view to possible improvement in silk prod uction. Five doses of gamma radiation ranging from 0.01 to 1 Gy were a pplied. The greatest effect was achieved at a dose of 1 Gy as shown by significant increase of the larvae weight and their silk gland by 21. 96 and 30.14%, the cocoon weight and their shell by 11.11 and 9.76%, t he length of silk filament and its weight by 22.96 and 22.53% over the control. However, egg irradiation favourably influenced the fecundity of emerged adults.