Sericulture

SericultureDone By - K. Uvan Sankar

Uploaded on -28/08/2016

ContentsIntroductionHistoryBranchesTypes of silkSilk roadStagesOpportunities

INTRODUCTION

HISTORYChina is the birthplace of Sericulture.The mystery of silkworm cocoons was accidentally invented by the Chinese empress Lei zu (Lady Hsi Ling Shih) , wife of the emperor Shi Huang Di.When she was sitting under the shade of a Mulberry tree , a cocoon covered insect fell into her cup of hot tea.The queen tried to save the insect , but the hot tea killed it by loosening the cocoon.Instead she got a strong thread from the insect and this admirable discovery earned her the name Goddess Of Silk and Goddess Of Silkworm Rearing.

STAGESSILK MOTH LAY EGGS.EGGS HATCH & THE LAVAE FEED ON THE MULBERRY LEAVES. WHEN THE SILKWORM ARE ABOUT 10,000 TIMES HEAVIER THAN THE WHEN THEY HATCHED THEN THEY ARE READY TO SPIN A COCOON.SILK IS PRODUCED INTO 2 GLANDS IN THE HEAD AND THEN FORCED OUT IN LIQUID FORM THROUGH OPENINGS CALLED SPINNERETS.SILK SODLIDIFIES WHEN IT COMES IN CONTACT WITH THE AIR.SILKWORM SPINS APPROXIMATELY 1 MILE OF FILAMENT AND COMPLETELY ENCLOSES ITSELF IN A COCOON IN ABOUT 2 OR 3 DAYS.DUE TO QUALITY RESTRICTION THE AMOUNT OF RAW SILK IN EACH COCOON IS SMALL.AS A RESULT, 5500 SILKWORMS ARE REQUIRED TO PRODUCED 1KG OF SILK.SILK AT THE COCOON STAGE IS THE RAW SILK.

OPPORUNITIESSERICULTURE PLAYS AN IMPORTANT ROLE IN EMPLOYMENT GENERATION AND POVERTY ALLEVIATION.LARGE DEMAND AND POPULARITY OF HAND WOVEN SILKS IN THE WEST.AVAILABILITY OF INDIGENOUS TECHNOLOGY AT LOW COST.SCOPE FOR ESTABLISHING THE LARGE PRODUCTION UNITS AND ORGANISED UNITS.REGULAR AND QUICK RETURNS.