Journal of Environment and Sociobiology

Subrata Trivedi ¹, Kunal Sarkar ¹, Susanta Kumar Chattopadhyay ¹, Gopinath Baur ¹, Manmatha Mandal ¹, Somdip Majumdar ¹

Affiliations
1 Department of Sericulture, Krishnath College, Berhampore, Murshidabad-742101, West Bengal, IN

Abstract

Of all factors that govern productivity in sericulture, the role of silkworm egg is of prime importance. It is the sheet anchor of sericulture industry. Timely supply of appropriate quality and adequate quantity of disease free silkworm eggs to the sericulturists is crucial for successful harvest of cocoon crops. Silk moths have a tendency to pair immediately after emergence from cocoons. The present study indicates that in case of N×M₁₂W, N×NB₄D₂ and N×YB crossbreeds at least 95%-99% fertilized eggs can be procured by using a single male moth for 4 times in crossing. So, if male moths are used 4 times during multiple crossing it would not affect the fertility of eggs. The present investigation also reveals that total fecundity almost remained same with control when male moths were even used for seven times in crossing. This suggests that that a single male moth can be used for four times by giving them sufficient rest in crossing with female moth and in this way a grainure can save considerable cost and hazards during the purchasing of seed cocoons of male components.

Keywords

Bombyx mori, Multiple Crossing, Silkworm Eggs, Fecundity, Fertilized and Unfertilized Eggs.

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Arindam Chakrabortty ¹, Gopinath Baur ¹, Sanat Roy ¹, Sudeshna Ghoshal ¹, Alak Ranjan Goswami ¹

Affiliations
1 Department of Sericulture, Krishnath College, Berhampore, Murshidabad-742101, West Bengal, IN

Abstract

A major factor determining the productivity and the profitability in sericulture is the yield of mulberry crop. Maximization of leaf yield of mulberry per unit area will lead to increase cocoon production at reduced cost. Thus, it should be the primary aim of the sericulturists to maximize leaf production. As a result of experimentation over a number of years on various aspects of mulberry cultivation, viz, variety, spacing, planting season, method of planting, irrigation, manuring, pruning, etc, a package of practices comprising all the factors was formulated and recommended to the field to maximize the leaf output. The "package of practices" differs with different agroclimatic conditions and topography of the area.

Keywords

Mulberry, Irrigated Land, Rainfed Land.

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Sagnik Kumar Ganguly ¹, Arindam Chakraborty ², Gopinath Baur ³, Sanat Roy ³, Subrata Trivedi ³, Kunal Sarkar ³

Affiliations
1 1 Debitala lane, Ichapur, 24-Parganas (N), West Bengal 743144, IN
2 Department of Serculture, Krishnath College, Berhampore, West Bengal, IN
3 Post Graduate Department of Serculture, Krishnath College, Berhampore, West Bengal, IN

Abstract

Total Hemocyte Count in spinning silkworm, Bombyx mori L. was studied using four popular multivoltine races of India. Hemocytic concentration of larva was gradually decreased in every spinning day then again increased with pupal maturity. It was a common character for all the four races in the larva to pupa transition stage. Spherulocyte abundance and prohemocyte absence are other general features in the pre-pupal stage in these four races. It is shown that spherulocytes are derived from granulocytes.

Keywords

Hemocyte, Pre-Pupal Stage, Bombyx mori.

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Sagnik Kumar Ganguly ¹, Arindam Chakraborty ², Gopinath Baur ², Susanta Kumar Chattopadhyay ², Subrata Trivedi ², Sudeshna Ghoshal ²

Affiliations
1 1 Debitala Lane, Ichapur, 24-Parganas (N), W. Bengal PIN- 74314, IN
2 Department of Sericulture, Krishnath College, Berhampore, West Bengal, IN

Abstract

Comparative cellular immune responses between commercially exploited bivoltine and multivoltine races have been studied. Worms of different races are inoculated with pathogenic bacteria Staphylococcus vitulinus. Total Haemocyte Count (THC) at each post-inoculation period has been noted and compared with control groups. Bivoltines have more hemocytic concentration than that of any multivoltine races. A common behavior is observed for all races after inoculation of pathogen. The hemocyte population decreases in Ist hour, increases in 2^nd hour and again decreases in 3^rd hour. In second experiment, a multivoltine race, M₁₂W was selected and was injected with saline having silica, indigo and carbon particles and with particle free saline (0.67% NaCl). But results similar to those of the first experiment were found indicating that pathogenicity is not the cause of first 3 hours, down-up-down sequence of THC in inoculated worms.

Keywords

Total Haemocyte Count, Pathogen, Bivoltine and Multivoltine Silkworms.

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Subrata Trivedi ¹, Gopinath Baur ¹, Somdip Majumdar ¹, Alak Ranjan Goswami ¹

Affiliations
1 Department of Sericulture, Krishnath College, Berhampore, Murshidabad-742101, West Bengal, IN

Abstract

Mulberry is the host of the pathogens of different parasitic diseases. In West Bengal three fungal foliar diseases, viz., Powdery mildew, Leaf spot and Leaf rust, one fungal Root Rot, one bacterial Leaf blight and one nematode infected Root knot (in some restricted places of West Bengal) are common. They may cross economic threshold level every year and cause total 25-30% crop loss on an average. These diseases, their symptoms, causal organisms, occurrence and control measures have been discussed.

Keywords

Mulberry, Diseases, West Bengal.

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Kunal Sarkar ¹, Susanta Kumar Chattopadhyay ¹, Gopinath Baur ¹, Sanat Kumar Ray ¹

Affiliations
1 Department of Sericulture, Krishnath College, Berhampore, Murshidabad, West Bengal 742101, IN

Abstract

The effect of earlier and delayed mounting of matured larvae on the commercial characteristics of Bombyx mori L. was investigated in the present experiment. There are no significant differences in yield, cocoon and reeling characters between the control (larvae mounted after ideal maturation) and larvae mounted 24 hours after maturation. The present study indicates that larvae mounted 24 hours before maturation give significantly inferior results in terms of yield, cocoon and reeling characters as compared to other characters. The study also indicates that late mounting of larva does not affect quality of cocoon but early mounting of larvae may seriously affect the quality of cocoon. The main reason behind this is that early mounting of silkworm larvae does not allow to create superfluous amino acids in the body and hence it does not excrete from the body. It ultimately affects the process of cocooning. Hence hurry in mounting is not desirable before ideal maturation of larvae, even if labour or time is not available. Rather farmers may wait for a day after ideal time of maturation.

Keywords

Bombyx mori, Maturation, Mounting, Cocoon.

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Kunal Sarkar ¹, Susanta Kumar Chattopadhyay ¹, Gopinath Baur ¹

Affiliations
1 Department of Sericulture, Krishnath College, Berhampore, Murshidabad, West Bengal 742101, IN

Abstract

The effect of feeding frequency on the commercial characteristics of Bombyx mori L. was investigated in the present experiment. The result indicates that there is no significant differences between frequency of feed 4/day (control) (T⁰) and frequency of feed 3/day (T¹) in dry summer. But frequency of feed 2/day (T²) is not effective in dry summer. During dry summer 4 feeds/day is ideal to maintain requisite humidity in the rearing bed. The present study clearly indicates that double feeding is highly useful in wet summer. Double feeding is highly economic in terms of management of labour, rearing and other rearing operations.

Keywords

Bombyx mori, Feeding Frequency, Double Feeding, Silkworm.

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Kunal Sarkar ¹, Susanta Kumar Chattopadhyay ¹, Gopinath Baur ¹, Sanat Kumar Ray ¹

Affiliations
1 Department of Sericulture, Krishnath College, Berhampore, Murshidabad, West Bengal 742101, IN

Abstract

The effect of using banana leaves and aurum leaves as seat and cover of rearing tray on the commercial characteristics of Bombyx mori L during dry summer was investigated in the present experiment. In dry summer using of banana leaves and aurum leaves as seat and cover in the rearing tray gave better result than conventional method of using paraffin paper for the same purpose. Using of these leaves as seat and cover of rearing tray increased the moisture retention capacity of mulberry leaves which ultimately ensured the better economic characters of silkworm larvae as well as cocoons. Not only in early stages but also in late stages, silkworm larvae may be reared by using banana leaf and aurum leaf as seat and cover. Besides these cost of banana leaf and aurum leaf is negligible and these are easily available at farmers level.

Keywords

Bombyx mori, Rearing Tray, Banana Leaf, Aurum Leaf, Paraffin Paper.

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Kunal Sarkar ¹, Susanta Kumar Chattopadhyay ¹, Gopinath Baur ¹

Affiliations
1 Department of Sericulture, Krishnath College, Berhampore, Murshidabad, West Bengal 742101, IN

Abstract

The effect of feeding duration on fifth instar silkworm larvae on the commercial characteristics of Bombyx mori L. was investigated in the present experiment. The present study clearly indicates that larval duration in 5^th instar directly correlates with the commercial characters of cocoons. Maximum larval duration as well as maximum leaf feeding ensures maximum harvest. Silkworm larvae fed with mulberry leaves upto 3^rd day in 5^th instar resulted no cocoons in the mountages. Even after complete maturation of silkworm larvae, it is desirable to feed silkworm larvae even for an extra day; otherwise cocoon quality would be seriously affected.

Keywords

Bombyx mori, Feeding Duration, Fifth Instar, Silkworm Larvae.

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Kunal Sarkar ¹, Gopinath Baur ¹, Somdip Majumdar ¹

Affiliations
1 Post Graduate Department of Sericulture, K. N. College, Berhampore, Murshidabad-742101, West Bengal, IN

Abstract

Mulberry plants are seriously damaged by various types of sap sucking insect pests in West Bengal. Most remarkable sapsuckers are mealy bug, white fly and thrips. Mealy bug sucks nutrient rich plant sap from tender top and injects toxic saliva to it causing serious morpho-physiological abnormality called 'Tukra'. White fly is a major sap sucking minute polyphagous pest which seriously damages the crop by sucking the plant sap from leaves and young shoots and secretes honey dew to welcome other sooty moulds. Thrips, both nymphs and adults, tear the epidermal leaf tissues with their stylets and suck the plant sap causing low nutritive value of leaves.

Keywords

Insect Pests, Tukra, Whitefly, Thrips.

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