Uji Performa Mesin Inkubator Prototipe dan Performa Penetasannya pada Telur Ulat Sutera Bombyx mori L.

Abstract

Hatchability of silkworm Bombyx mori L. eggs is greatly influenced by environmental factors (temperature and humidity). Micro climatic factors can be controlled through the use of incubator machine with automatic temperature and humidity setting. This study aimed to design, built and test the performance ofthe incubator machine prototype in temperature and humidity control. Another aim was to compare the performance of B. mori L. eggs hatchability (hatchability and hatching time) between hatching room (temperature and humidity are not controlled) and incubator machine (temperature and humidity are controlled). This incubator machine was able to maintain temperature stability CV 0.21% and ave. error 0.035 °C, but its heat exhaust system and humidity stability (CV5.59% and ave. error 7.2%) need to be refined. The eggs hatchability in incubator machine was not significantly different from hatching room (ave. 95.56%) and met the commercial standard. However hatching time in the incubator machine was more uniform (90% at day 10) compared to hatching room (55.54% at day 9). The use of this incubator machine prototype is worth considering in the B. mori hatching management due to efficient use of manpower and equipments as well as facilitate hakitate