Journal of Environment and Sociobiology

Kunal Sarkar ¹, Dilip Kumar Bhattacharya ², Susanta Kumar Chattopadhyay ¹, Subrata Trivedi ¹, Sudeshna Ghoshal ¹

Affiliations
1 Department of Sericulture, Krishnath College, Berhampore, Murshidabad-742101, West Bengal, IN
2 Department of Zoology, University of Kalyani, West Bengal, IN

Abstract

The Study Evaluated the Effect of Feeding of Different Maturity Level of Mulberry Leaves, I.e., Tender, Medium, Mix and Mature Leaves on the Commercial Characteristics of Crossbreed (N×NB₄D₂) during Dry Summer in West Bengal. the Data Obtained during the Study was Compared with those of Control where Conventional Leaf Feeding Method was Followed. most of the Larval and Cocoon Characters, Viz., Larval Weight, Effective Rate of Rearing, Cocoon Weight, Shell Weight and Shell Ratio Percentage, Etc., were Recorded Significantly Higher in Tender Leaves Fed Batches Followed by Medium Leaves Fed Batches. Significantly Higher Post Cocoon Parameters, Viz., Average Filament Length, Nonbreakable Filament Length, Renditta and Raw Silk Recovery Percentage, Etc., were Recorded in Tender Leaf Fed Batches. Qualitative Analysis of Leaves also Suggested that Tender Leaves are more Nutritious than other Maturity Level of Leaves. Mature Leaves Fed Batch Showed Inferior Performance in Terms of all the Characters. the Present Experiment also Revealed that 20% of Tender Leaves can be Saved Particularly in Dry Summer, which are Generally Clipped by Sericultural Farmers in West Bengal in Late Larval Instar before Providing Mulberry Shoots to Silkworm Larvae.

Keywords

Mulberry Leaves, Maturity Level, Cocoon Characters, Reeling Characters.

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Kunal Sarkar ¹, Dilip Kumar Bhattacharya ², Susanta Kumar Chattopadhyay ¹, Subrata Trivedi ¹, Sudeshna Ghoshal ¹, Vinod B. Mathur ³

Affiliations
1 Department of Sericulture, Krishnath College, Berhampore, Murshidabad-742101, West Bengal, IN
2 Department of Zoology, University of Kalyani, West Bengal, IN
3 Central Sericultural Research and Training Institute, Mysore, Karnataka, IN

Abstract

Present investigation indicates that feeding larvae with Mulberry leaves which were water dipped and dried for entire larval instar (T2) and in late larval instar (T4) gave better performance than control in respect of most of the larval and cocoon characters. But feeding larvae with leaves immediately water dipped for entire larval instar (T₁) and in late larval instar (T3) showed inferior results in terms of all commercial characters in wet summer. This investigation suggests that leaves with high moisture content are not harmful for silkworm larvae at any season but water in the surface of leaves may be harmful for them. So it is important to feed silkworm larvae by just shaking the water from surface of the leaves or by drying the leaves for few minutes particularly during rainy season when the leaves are wetted due to rain. Investigation also reveals that if the wet leaves are dried for some time, it helps to increase the moisture percentage of leaves. Then it is also helpful to improve the cocoon characters.

Keywords

Water Treated Mulberry Leaves, Cocoon Characters, Reeling Characters.

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Kunal Sarkar ¹, Dilip Kumar Bhattacharya ², Susanta Kumar Chattopadhyay ¹, Subrata Trivedi ¹

Affiliations
1 Department of Sericulture, Krishnath College, Berhampore, Murshidabad-742101, West Bengal, IN
2 Department of Zoology, University of Kalyani, West Bengal, IN

Abstract

In West Bengal rearing season of Mulberry is divided mainly in two parts, i.e., favourable season (November to April) and unfavourable season (May to October). Mulberry crop span is 70 days. So five harvests as well as five rearings can be done in a year. November crop (winter or Agrahani), February crop (spring or Falguni) and April crop (summer or Baishakhi) come under favourable season (dry summer) whereas June-July crop (rainy or Shrabani) and August-September crop (autumn or Aswina) come under unfavourable season (wet summer). A study was conducted from November, 2003 to November 2006 to evaluate the performance of multivoltine hybrid Nistari × M₁₂ (W) and cross breed Nistari × NB₄D₂ of Bombyx mori during favourable and unfavourable seasons. The study revealed that during favourable season performance of cross breed Nistari × NB₄D₂ is better but during unfavourable season Effective Rate of Rearing is very less and melting percentage is considerably higher in case of Nistari × NB₄D₂ batch as compared to Nistari × M₁₂ (W) batch.

Keywords

Nistari × NB₄D₂, Nistari × M₁₂ (W), Rearing Season.

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Kunal Sarkar ¹, Subrata Trivedi ¹, Dilip Kumar Bhattacharya ², Susanta Kumar Chattopadhyay ¹

Affiliations
1 Department of Sericulture, Krishnath College, Berhampore, Murshidabad-742101, West Bengal, IN
2 Department of Zoology, University of Kalyani, West Bengal, IN

Abstract

In India sericulture is mainly confined to its tropical belt. This country has a number of polyvoltine races which are in use for a long time and considered indigenous. Though these indigenous races are poor silk yielder but still these are very popular due to their tremendous ability to survive under extreme tropical conditions. Besides that, some bivoltine breeds are also evolved throughout the country due to some sincere efforts of our silkworm breeders. Here an effort is made to study the major silk worm races of our country.

Keywords

Silkworm Races, Multivoltine Race, Bivoltine Race.

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Subrata Trivedi ¹, Kunal Sarkar ², Dilip Kumar Bhattacharya ², Susanta Kumar Chattopadhyay ², Sudeshna Ghoshal ²

Affiliations
1 Department of Zoology, University of Kalyani, West Bengal, IN
2 Department of Sericulture, Krishnath College, Berhampore, Murshidabad-742101, West Bengal, IN

Abstract

The present study was conducted on number, length and the pattern of pubescence in different maturity level of leaves in different improved mulberry varieties i.e., S₁, S₁₆₃₅ and also in a local variety which are commonly cultivated in various parts of West Bengal. The study reveals that density of pubescence is more in tender leaves, but the pubescence in tender leaves is immature in stage. Tip of pubescence is blunt in case of tender leaves. Length of pubescence is increased and tip of pubescence is sharp and pointed in case of mature leaf. Length of pubescence is less in S₁₆₃₅ variety in all types of leaves as compared to that the local and S₁ varieties. But in case of local variety pubescence is longest. Tip of pubescence is found more sharp in case of local variety and less sharp in case of S₁₆₃₅ variety. This result indicates that among these three varieties insects prefer to feed S₁₆₃₅ variety in terms of pubescence study. On the other hand, due to presence of immature and blunt type of pubescence, tender leaves are more favourable and palatable for silkworm larvae.

Keywords

Pubescence, Maturity Level of Leaves, Mulberry Varieties.

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