Abstract:
Abitylguanide, an effective antiviral against DNA-containing viruses pathogenic for humans,
manifested a marked activity toward the baculovirus-induced nuclear polyhedrosis of the
silkworm, Bombixmori L. Applied at experimental conditions during the spring and autumn
silkworm feedings, 0.1 to 0.15% abitylguanide solution strongly decreased (> 9 to 10 times) the
incidence of spontaneous polyhedrosis. An increase in cocoon yield (by 3%)and quality was also
registered. These effects were confirmed during trials carried out in two consecutive years at the
industrial scale. We found a substantial increase in cocoon production in both spring (by 3 to 5%)
and autumn (by about 14%), which was markedly higher. These results were obtained by
spraying a 0.1% abitylguanide aqueous solution on mulberry leaves. Cocoon quality was
improved compared to a dry control group. |
