UNIT - III

SERICULTURE

CONTENT

1. Introduction

2. Introduction of sericulture at RSRS

3. Moriculture explanation

4. Conclusion

Introduction

Larvae Cocoon Silk Fabric

Silk is known as the queen of all fabrics over thousands of years, it has become an inseparable

part of Indian culture and tradition. Silk fiber in India is mostly considered to be as more

traditional and used to wear in special occasions and events. There are number of other beliefs

and mythological thoughts that are considered to be attached to silk fiber, therefore, the silk

acquired the place of queen of fiber.

In India it is a rural based agro industry providing employment to a sizable size of the

population, although sericulture is considered to b a subsidiary occupation and technical

innovation made it possible to generate more employment. It is the most labour intensive section

for the economy which provides livelihood to a large section of population.

Sericulture, or silk farming, is the rearing of for the silkworm production of raw silk. Although

there are several commercial species of silkworms, Bombyx mori is the most widely used and

intensively studied.

Silkworm larvae are fed mulberry leaves, and, after the fourth moult, climb a twig placed near

them and spin their silken cocoons. This process is achieved by the worm through a dense fluid

secreted from its structural glands, resulting in the fiber of the cocoon. The silk is a continuous-

filament fiber consisting of fibroin protein, secreted from two salivary glands in the head of each

larva, and a gum called sericin, which cements the two filaments together. The sericin is

removed by placing the cocoons in hot water, which frees the silk filaments and readies them for

reeling. This is known as the degumming process. The immersion in hot water also kills the

silkworm pupae.

Single filaments are combined to form thread. This thread is drawn under tension through

several guides and wound onto reels. The threads may be plied together to form yarn. After

drying the raw silk is packed according to quality.

History of Sericulture

According to Confucian texts, the discovery of silk production B. mori dates to

about 2700 BC, although archaeological records point to silk cultivation as early as

the Yangshao period (5000 – 3000 BCE). About the first half of the 1st century AD it had

reached ancient Khotan, and by AD 140 the practice had been established in India. Later it was

introduced to Europe, the Mediterranean and other Asiatic countries.

Once upon a time long, long ago in an ancient kingdom of China there lived Queen Xi-Ling,

wife of Emperor Huang-Di. She was interested in the arts and looming. One day as she sat under

her favorite mulberry tree in the garden sipping tea and admiring the beautiful spring flowers,

something fell into her tea cup. She jumped up horrified and spilled the tea all over her lovely

dress.  Her ladies-in-waiting rushed to wipe off the stains but lady Xi-Ling stopped them. On top

of the tea stain on her dress she spotted a lovely web of the most exquisite threads she had ever

seen before. She carefully picked up the delicate threads. They felt soft and smooth to the touch.

She understood that is the Silk threads come from the Silkworm’s Cocoon where it fell from

Mulberry tree. She sat on her loom and started working out a complicated pattern. It was the

most exquisite piece she had ever woven. This discovery of Silk was celebrated with great

feasting and rejoicing throughout the land. Later when commercial relations were established

between China, and the rest of the world. Knowledge of Silk spread far and wide.

Silkworm eggs and the technology of making silk, was brought to India by Buddhist monks

from China. Also, the Industry is said to have spread to Tibet when a Chinese Princess, carrying

Silkworm eggs and Mulberry seed in her hair dress, married the king of Kotan in Tibet.

About two and half centuries ago silk was

introduced into Karnataka by Tipu Sultan, the

ruler of the State. Today it is the biggest silk

producing centre in India. Sericulture

introduced in TamilNadu from the border area

of Karnataka during early 1960. Now

TamilNadu Stands number one in Bivoltine

Silk production in India.

According to Western historians, mulberry-tree

cultivation spread to India through Tibet during

140 BC and cultivation of mulberry trees,

rearing of silkworms began in the areas flanking the Brahmaputra and Ganges rivers. Mulberry

plant is an important plant that can be useful in many ways. It is widely used as feed for the

mulberry silkworm, fuel, making baskets, preparing jam and jelly from is fruits.

Types Of Silk

There are mainly 4 types of silk that are:

I).Mulberry silk,

II).Tasar silk,

III).Eri silk and

IV).Muga silk.

Multi- bivoltine Mulberry

Bivoltine Mulberry

Eri Tasar Muga0%

10%

20%

30%

40%

50%

60%

70%

80%

90%

In India we produce all types of silk. Sericulture has become one of the most important cottage

industries in a number of countries like China, Japan, India, Korea, Brazil, Russia, Italy and

France. Today, China and India are the two main producers, together manufacturing more than

60% of the world production each year. Production of raw silk in India was 23,060 MT in 2011-

12, of which, mulberry raw silk Output aggregated to 18,272 MT (79.24%). The remaining 4,788

MT (20.76%) was Vanya silks. Mulberry sericulture is mainly practiced in five states namely,

Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, West Bengal, Tamil Nadu and Jammu & Kashmir jointly account

for about 97% of the total mulberry silk production in the country. India is the largest consumer

of raw silk in the world. As the consumption of raw silk (Around 28,733 MT) exceeds the

production, the additional requirement of around 5,700 MT of silk (particularly bivoltine

mulberry silk of international quality) is imported Mainly from China.

Some of the important traits in sericulture are as follows:

Fecundity- Total eggs laid by one female moth.

Hatching Percentage- While brushing is taken some larvae remain unbrushed because they are

late borns .Beside some eggs remain unfertilized, some dead eggs, some unhatched egss also

found on egg sheets. From no. of larvae brushed late born larvae are deducted and divided by

total no. of eggs. Its percentage is called hatching percentage. In total no. of eggs i.e. fecundity,

fertilized eggs, dead eggs, unhatched eggs and hatched egg shells are counted.

Larval period- It is counted from brushing time to first moult time for first instar larvae, molt

out time to again moult in time is counted for LP of second , third and fourth stages. In fifth age

period from moult out to spinning is counted. Total larval period is counted by respective LP of

fifth stage of the silkworm and four moulting times.

Yield- Yield is recorded as production of cocoons in kg./100 Diseases Free Layings (DFLs).

Good cocoons- After harvest dead larvae, stained cocoons, flimsy cocoons, and good cocoons

are sorted out from the harvested lot in same chronological order. Normally cocoons confirming

their parents are hybrid characters with live pupa are called good cocoons.

Pupation percentage- Every good cocoon is gently shaken holding it between index finger and

thumb near our ears. If a clear sound comes, it shows live pupa inside. Live pupa divided by

larvae retained and multiplied by 100 is called pupation percentage.

Single cocoon weight (SCW)-, Normally weight of 10 male & 10 female pupae selected

randomly from a lot of 300 cocoons with their pupae inside is taken on an electronic balance to

calculate single cocoon weight.

Single Shell Weight (SSW)- 10 male or female cocoons are weighted after pupa and exuviate

are taken out to calculate single shell weight.

Silk Ratio %- SSW divided by SCW and multiplied by 100 is called SR percentage.

Introduction of sericulture at RSRS, Sahaspur

With the establishment of Univolatine sub-station, Majra collection of mulberry

accessions started in Dehradun. Regional sericulture research Station (RSRS) was established in

1986 by upgrading Univolatine sub-station and subsequently shifted to Sahaspur in 1993, which

is 25 km from Dehradun on Chakrata Road. The total area of the station is about 15.62 acres.

MANDATE OF THE RSRS, SAHASPUR:

To formulate and implement appropriate research projects on moriculture & silkworm

aspects for the development of sericulture.

To maintain Germplasm Bank of mulberry genotypes, evaluate and recommend

suitable mulberry variety for the region.

To maintain GPB of mulberry silkworms, evaluation, hybridization and evaluation of

suitable hybrids for the region.

To conduct extensive field trials of mulberry genotypes and silkworm breeds.

Carry out National and provincial silkworm race authorization programmes.

Transfer of technology to the field through Research extension centers.

Organize training programmes as per recommendations of respective sericulture

States.

To resolve specific research / technical problems of sericulture States in the region.

Implement centrally sponsored schemes/programmes through REC’s

It runs many research programs as well as many training programmes are also conducted

here. Some of the projects running over here are as follows:-

1. Silkworm breeds to evolve viable and productive silkworm genotypes/hybrid for sustainable

bivoltine sericulture

2. Evaluation of elite bivoltine silkworm germplasm under different agroclimatic conditions

3. All India silkworm germplasm evaluation programme

4. Maintainance of GPB

5. Maintenance of parental line and breeder stock

6. All India Co-ordinated Experimental Trial of Mulberry-Phase III.

Pre-cocoon sericultural activities can be divided in two major parts i.e. Moriculture &

Sericulture.

MORICULTURE

Moriculture, it is the important aspect of the sericulture in relation to the mulberry silk

production. As the B.mori only feeds on the mulberry leaves, so we can say the quality and

quantity of cocoon depends on the mulberry leaves. Moriculture can be defined as the culturing

of the mulberry plant.

Mulberry, a heterozygous perennial

plant is a native of Indo-China and

found widely distributed in both the

hemispheres. The original home of

mulberry (Morus Spp.) is supposed

to be in lower Himalayan belt of

Indo-Chinese region where 6 species

occur in wild conditions up to an

elevation of 7000 ft. Due to cross

fertilization lot of variability exists

in natural populations.

Mulberry trees protect environment, beautify our surroundings and provide fuel, fodder, timber,

tannins, medicines and elegant queen of textiles i.e. silk. Genetic resources of mulberry as a

global resource have immersed potentials for development of natural products for sustainable

development of human beings. To meet the requirement of diverse agro-climatic conditions,

location/region specific strains are a must to make the silk industry more viable and remunerative

for which collection, evaluation and cataloguing of genepool is a must. Central Sericultural

Germplasm Resources Centre at Hosur is maintaining approximately 1100 mulberry accessions

representing 13 Morus species of 26 countries and published their catalogues also. Central

seicultural research & Training institute, Pampore has also published catalogue on temperate

mulberry germplasm comprising 70 accessions.

The station maintains 82 mulberry accessions collected from different sources and tropical,

subtropical and temperate climatic conditions for conservation and evaluation under subtropical

conditions of Dehradun. RSRS is a research station which works for the improvement of the

sericulture in India. The data on qualitative and quantitative characters (morphological and

morphometeric traits, growth nature, branching pattern, fruit characters, disease severity, sex

expression, leaf yield, moisture retention capacity etc) of 82 accessions (8 exotic and 74

indigenous) belonging to 5 mulberry Species viz., Morus alba, M. indica, M. multicaulis and

M. sinensis being maintained at RSRS, Sahaspur, Dehradun was collected for six years and their

average has been documented. Its nodal centre is at Mysore. Area under mulberry plantation is

about 9.824 acres along with other buildings such as rearing house, administrative, seed house

etc. include 3.664 acres.

Area Under Mulberry Cultivation In India:-

Mulberry foliage is the only food for the silkworm (Bombyx mori) and is grown under varied

climatic conditions ranging from temperate to tropical. Mulberry leaf is a major economic

component in sericulture since the quality and quantity of leaf produced per unit area have a

direct bearing on cocoon harvest. In India, most states have taken up sericulture as an important

agro-industry with excellent results. The total area of mulberry in the country is around 282 244

ha. The details of the area under mulberry cultivation in different states in India is shown Table 1

and also in the map.

Species & Varieties Under Cultivation:-

There are about 68 species of the genus Morus. The majority of these species occur in Asia,

especially in China (24 species) and Japan (19). Continental America is also rich in

its Morus species. The genus is poorly represented in Africa, Europe and the Near East, and it is

not present in Australia.

In India, there are many species of Morus, of which Morus alba, M. indica. M. serrata and M.

laevigata grow wild in the Himalayas. Several varieties have been introduced belonging to M.

multicaulis, M. nigra, M. sinensis and M. philippinensis. Most of the Indian varieties of mulberry

belong to M. indica.

In China there are 15 species, of which four species, Morus alba, M. multicaulis, M.

atropurpurea and M. mizuho are cultivated for sericulture. In the former Soviet Union M.

multicaulis, M. alba, M. tartarica and M. nigra are present.

GENERAL DESCRIPTION:-

Mulberry is a fast growing deciduous woody perennial plant. It has a deep root system. The

leaves are simple, alternate, stipulate, petiolate, entire or lobed. The number of lobes varies from

one to five. Plants are generally dioecious. Inflorescence is catkin with pendent or drooping

peduncle bearing unisexual flowers. Inflorescence is always auxiliary. Male catkins are usually

longer than the female catkins. Male flowers are loosely arranged and after shedding the pollen,

the inflorescence dries and falls off. These are four persistent parianth lobes and four stamens

implexed in bud. Female inflorescence is usually short and the flowers are very compactly

arranged. There are four persistent parianth lobes. The ovary is one-celled and the stigma is bifid.

The chief pollinating agent in mulberry is wind. Mulberry fruit is a sorosis, mainly violet black

in colour.

Most of the species of the genus Morus and cultivated varieties are diploid, with 28

chromosomes. However, triploids (2n= (3x) =42) are also extensively cultivated for their

adaptability, vigorous growth and quality of leaves.

LEAF CHEMICAL COMPOSITION:-

This differs according to variety and maturity. However, on the basis of the analysis carried out

at CSRTI (Mysore), the chemical composition of the leaf is as follows:

TABLE 22: CHEMICAL COMPOSITION OF MULBERRY LEAF.

Component Range

Moisture 65 - 78 percent

Protein 19 - 25 percent

Minerals 10 - 15 percent

Reducing sugars 1.2 - 1.9

Sugars 10 - 15 percent

TABLE 23: MULBERRY VARITIES OF INDIA

MULBERRY VARIETIES OF INDIA:-

VARIETY REGION DEVELOPED

AT

ORIGIN

Kanva-2 South India Irrigated CSRTI, Mysore Selection from natural variability

S-36 South India Irrigated CSRTI, Mysore Developed through EMS treatment

of Berhampore Local

S-54 South India Irrigated CSRTI, Mysore Developed through EMS treatment

of Berhampore Local

S-13 South India Rainfed CSRTI, Mysore Selection from polycross (mixed

pollen) progeny

S-34 South India Rainfed CSRTI, Mysore Selection from polycross (mixed

pollen) progeny

S-1 Eastern and NE India

Irrigated

CSRTI,

Berhampore

Introduction from (Mandalaya)

Myanmar

S-1635 Eastern and NE

India Irrigated

CSRTI,

Berhampore

Triploid selection

S-146 N. India and Hills of

J&K Irrigated

CSRTI,

Berhampore

Selection from open pollinated

hybrids

Tr-10 Hills of Eastern India CSRTI,

Berhampore

Triploid of Ber. S1

Goshoerami Temperate CSRTI, Pampore Introduction from Japan.

Climatic requirements:-

Mulberry thrives under various climatic conditions ranging from temperate to tropical located

north of the equator between 28° N and 55°N latitude. The ideal range of temperature is from 24

to 28°C. Mulberry grows well in places with an annual rainfall ranging from 600 to 2 500 mm.

In areas with low rainfall, growth is limited through moisture stress, resulting in low yields. On

average, mulberry requires 340m3/ha of water every ten days in case of loamy soils and 15 days

in clayey soils. Atmospheric humidity in the range of 65-80 percent is ideal for mulberry growth.

Sunshine is one of the important factors controlling growth and leaf quality.

Soil condition:-

Mulberry flourishes well in soils that are flat, deep, fertile, well drained, loamy to clayey, and

porous with good moisture holding capacity. The ideal range of soil pH is 6.2 to 6.8, the

optimum being 6.5 to 6.8. Soil amendments may be used to correct the soil to obtain the required

pH. The quantity of gypsum or lime to be applied in different cases to bring the pH to 6.8 is

given

Propagation of Mulberry:-

Mulberry can be propagated in two ways. i. Sexual, ii. Asexual

i. Sexual Propagation:-

In mulberry the sexual propagation is through seedlings, particularly the seed propagation carries

a varied population, this to utilize in selection and hybridization. For seed germination certain

prerequisites are needed to be fulfilled such as selection of quality seed, preparation of land, and

the seed should be selected such that can definitely germinate. This is possible only when the

seed is subjected to suitable environmental conditions, embryo of seed is alive, and healthy, in

internal conditions of seed are favorable for germination.

ii. Asexual Propagation:-

In asexual type of propagation vegetative plant parts are used. In mulberry the propagation is

mainly of three types.

Propagation by Cutting.

Propagation by Grafting.

Propagation by Budding.

 Nursery bed preparation

Select 800 sq.m. area of red loamy soil near water source for raising saplings for planting

one hectare of main field.

Apply 1600 kg of Farm Yard Manure (FYM) @ 20 t/ha and mix well with the soil. 

Raise nursery beds of 4m x 1.5m size. 

The length may be of convenient size

depending upon the slope, irrigation source,

etc.

Mulberry Nursery

Provide a drainage channel and avoid shady

area.

Pre-treatment of cuttings

Mix one kilogram of Azospirillum culture in 40 liters of water. 

Keep the bottom end of the cuttings for 30 minutes in it before planting. Azospirillum is

applied for inducement of early rooting.

Nursery planting

Apply VAM @ 100 g/m2 of nursery area.

Irrigate the nursery bed.  Plant the

cuttings in the nursery at 15 cm x 7

cm spacing at an angle of 45°. 

Ensure exposure of one active bud

in each cutting.

Nursery management      

Irrigate the nursery once in three

days.

Dust 1kg of any one of Malathion 5 - D or Quinalphos 1.5 - D around the nursery bed to

avoid termite attack.

To avoid root rot and collar rot, drench the soil with carbendazim 50 WP (2 g/l) or

apply Trichoderma viride 0.5 g/m2 using rose can.

After weeding, apply 100 g of urea/m2 between 55 and 60 days after planting at the time of

weeding.

Age of sapling: The

saplings are ready for transplanting in the main field after 90-120 days of planting.

Land preparation:-

If the land has a gentle slope, it can be levelled by minor land shaping and providing suitable

type of bunds across the slope. If the slope is greater, contour bunding terrace planting or contour

line planting can be adopted. In more sloping areas, platforms for individual plants on contour

lines are more suitable since this involves less soil cutting.

Application of fertilizers:-

Fertilizers also must be used as per the recommended dosage mainly N.P.K. The recommended

dosage of N.P.K will be in the ratio of varied from place to place. Generally N.P.K. will be in the

ratio of 2.5:1:1 for irrigated conditions and 2:1:1 of N.P.K for rain fed conditions. In hilly areas

the recommended N.P.K. are 100:40:40.

Spacing:-

Spacing for tree planting depends on soil topography, the extent of land available for cultivation

and training method. For gentle slopes, 3´ x 3´, 5’ x 5’ may be adopted. In sloping more land 10’

x 10’ can be adopted. Pits are to be prepared for plantation. In deep textured loose soils, 45 x 45

cm and in hard shallow soils 60 x 60 x 60 cm pits are to be prepared. For each pit, 5 kg (one iron

pan) of FYM or compost must be applied.

Planting of saplings:-

Saplings of six months age with five to six roots are suitable for planting during the regular onset

of the monsoon for bush type plantation and one year old sapling for tree type plantation. One

sapling per pit should be planted. The saplings should be supported with a stick to ensure straight

growth. Plant the well rooted and sprouted saplings at a depth of 15-20 cm. Earth up and level

the area around the saplings.

Maintenance:-

After one month, all the buds except the top five to six should be removed carefully without

damaging the bark. Weeds around the plant should be removed and regular pot watering given.

After three months of plantings second weeding should be done and 25 g of suphala/plant should

be applied in a trench and should be covered with soil. A second dose of fertilizer (25 g

urea/plant) should be applied before cessation of the monsoon. Plants must be protected from

grazing.

BUSH TYPE MULBERRY PLANTATION

Methods of Irrigation:-

Ridges and furrows method-

Most efficient method of irrigation

Comparatively requires less amount of water

The furrows serve as drainage channels during heavy rainfall.

Flat bed method-

1. Rectangular beds and channels are formed

2. Water run off is relatively low

3. More land is wasted and requires more labour for field preparation.

Drip Irrigation in Tree Type Mulberry Plantation

Most efficient in water use

Substantial saving in irrigation water

Better crop growth

Suitable for undulating terrains

Fertilizers can also be applied along with irrigation water

Clogging of emitters by physical, chemical and biological impurities

Initial cost is very high

Weeding:-

To eliminate the weeds and to loosen the soil for good aeration, around mulberry plant, light

hoeing should be done two months after plantation. This will facilitate the plant to absorb the

water freely and plant growth will not be restricted by weeds by competing with mulberry plant

for food, nutrition and water.

Pruning:-

Pruning of mulberry trees should be done after one year of plantation. By pruning the mulberry

branches, leaf yield can be increased and production of leaf can be synchronized with silkworm

rearing schedules all through the seasons. Pruning schedules controls the irregular growth of

mulberry branches there by save wastage of nutrition and energy. Care should be taken during

pruning; bark should not get peeled off since cut wounds do not heal, which leads infections and

diseases.

Leaf Harvesting:-

Along with leaf production, leaf utilization is also important. Leaf harvesting depends upon type

of rearing practice. Leaf harvested by 1) leaf picking & 2) Branch cutting / shoot harvesting.

Leaf harvesting in time is very essential as mature leaf contain low nutrient value & silk worms

fed upon them become disease susceptible.    

Time of Harvest:   It is preferable to harvest the leaves during morning hours.

Leaf Picking:-

In India mostly leaf picking is practiced. However, this is more labour intensive, as availability

of labour is not a big problem. Presently this method is being followed by most of the rearers. In

a year 5-6 harvests are possible. First leaf harvest takes place after (10) weeks of bottom pruning.

Preservation of Leaves:-

Use leaf preservation chamber or wet gunny bags to store the leaves or cover the bamboo basket

with wet gunny bags to keep it cool and fresh.

DISEASES & INSECT PEST MANAGEMENT OF MULBERRY

The contribution of leaf quality alone is about 38.2% among the factors influencing the

success of silkworm cocoon crop

Incidence of disease and crop loss varies with season, region and cultural practices.

Several diseases caused by fungi, bacteria, virus and nematodes.

All parts of the plant i.e. leaf, stem and root are affected by diseases.

Knowledge of mulberry diseases, pests and its management is essential for all associated

with silk production.

Important Mulberry Diseases:

The major diseases of the mulberry are as follows-

1. Leaf Spot Disease:-

Season of Occurrence - Rainy Season

C/o - Myrothecium rondum ; Cercospora moricola

Symptoms-

Appearance of black irregular spots with yellow margins.

Premature leaf fall.

Control measures-

Pruning of plants during June end.

Collection and burning of diseased

leaves.

Spray of 0.1-0.2 percent Carbandazim /

Bavestine / Bengard.

2. Powdery mildew:

Season of Occurrence - Winter – November

to February

C/o - Phyllactina corylea

Symptom-

Appearance of white powdery patches in lower side

with slight yellowing on upper surface.

White patches turn black in later stage.

Control measures-

Avoid dense planting. Regular irrigation & weeding.

Collection and burning of diseased leaves.

Lady Bird beetle for biological control.

Spray of 0.1-0.2 percent Carbandazim on new leaves.

3. Leaf Rust:-

Season of Occurrence - Rainy and Winter Season.

C/o - Cerotelium fici ; Aecidium mori.

Symptoms-

Appearance of small spots on lower surface which

turns red to brown later.

Leaves turns yellow, margins becomes dry.

Premature leaf fall.

Control measures-

Avoid dense planting.

Timely pruning, weeding, loosening of soil, regular irrigation.

Collection and burning of diseased leaves.

Spray of 0.2 percent Carbandazim.

There are certain other diseases that my cause damage to the plant but these are not of much

economic importance and does not cause severe damage to the plant.

Important Pests of Mulberry:

1. Tukra Disease:-

Season of Occurrence - April to June.

C/o - Maconellicoccus hirsutus.

Loss due to disease - 10-20 percent

Symptoms-

Malformation of apical shoot.

The mealy bugs suck the sap resulting in stunted growth of the plant and reduction in leaf

yield.

Control measures-

Removal and burning of the affected portion of the plants. Collect them I polythene bags

and dip them in 0.5% soap solution to destroy the pests.

Spray of 0.15% DDVP.

Release the predatory cryptolaemus montouzieri – Lady Bird beetle @ 125 adults / acre.

2. Stem Canker:-

Season of Occurrence - Through out the year.

C/o - Lasiodiplodia theobromae.

Symptoms-

Sudden withering and death of sprout.

Black eruption on the bark in the infected region.

Death of plants.

Control measures-

Removal and burning of the infected cuttings and saplings in nurseries.

Field sanitation is essential.

Cuttings should be dipped in 0.2 % Carbendazim solution for 30 minutes prior to planting.

Use Biofungicide Tricoderma harzianum –Nursery guard.

3. Leaf Roller:-

Season of Occurrence - Rainy season.

C/o - Diaphania pulverulentalis.

Loss due to disease - 5-45 percent

Symptoms-

The young caterpillar within the unopened young leaves secrete delicate white silky filaments

which binds the leaf blades together and feed on the soft tissues on the leaf surface.

Control measures-

Removal and burning of the affected apical portion of the plants to destroy the larvae.

Spray of 0.75% DDVP on apical portion of the plant.

Conclusion

As per the practical experience gained let me made a conclusion that sericulture is a vast field of

great economic importance and having a lot of potential. It has the capacity to provide

employment to the landless as well as the small farmers which may improve the living standard

of the peoples.

Along with that silk that is produced is have more value than any other fiber and have capability

to provide good returns to the national economy.