Leaves of which of the following plants are not used for the rearing of silkworms?

Sericulture involves rearing silkworms on specific host plants to produce silk. The most common silkworm, Bombyx mori, is monophagous and primarily feeds on Mulberry leaves [3]. However, India produces four types of commercial silk: Mulberry, Oak Tasar, Tropical Tasar, and Eri. Eri silkworms (Samia ricini) are traditionally reared on Castor leaves. Tasar silkworms (Antheraea species) feed on various host plants including Oak, Asan, and Arjun, while other varieties thrive on Mahua, Sal, and Ber [2]. While research explores alternate hosts like Peepal or Lettuce to supplement nutrition [3], Teak (Tectona grandis) is not a recognized host plant for commercial silkworm rearing. Teak is a hardwood timber tree, and its leaves do not provide the necessary nutritional profile required for the growth and silk production of any major silkworm species.

Sources

1. [1] Geography of India ,Majid Husain, (McGrawHill 9th ed.) > Chapter 9: Agriculture > SERICULTURE > p. 94
2. [3] NCERT. (2022). Contemporary India II: Textbook in Geography for Class X (Revised ed.). NCERT. > Chapter 4: The Age of Industrialisation > TYPES OF FARMING > p. 87
3. [2] Geography of India ,Majid Husain, (McGrawHill 9th ed.) > Chapter 9: Agriculture > Production > p. 95