Silkworm Physiology &

Rearing Technology Innovation Laboratory

 

SCIENTISTS:

1.   Mr. T. N. Nath, Scientist-C   (Sectional Head)

1.   Dr. T. Datta (Biswas), Scientist – C

 

OBJECTIVES:

*   Development of appropriate Silkworm Rearing Technology for the Region.

*   Designing and development of simple Sericultural Appliances.

*   Working on some physiological aspect of Silkworm.

*   Bio-assay studies complementary to various Research Projects carried in the Institute.

 

RESOURCES: 

*   Hot Air Oven

*   Sartorius Balance

*   Stereoscopic Binocular

*   Compound Microscope

*   Ordinary Dissecting Binocular

*   Centrifuge (Remi-make)

*   Air Conditioners and Refrigerators

          

ONGOING PROJECTS:

 

1)     AIP3421: Physio-Biochemical Characterization of Selected Silkworm Germplasm Accessions during Seed Crop Seasons.

 

Objective:

Physio-Biochemical Characterization of selected silkworm germplasm accessions for quality assessment and identification of physio-biochemical markers/ indicators, if any, for utilization by the silkworm breeders for screening the silkworm breeds.

 

2)     PPA 3366: Development of integrated package for raising Chawki leaves and young age silkworm rearing for successful cocoon production

 

Objective:

Development of suitable package of practices for chawki garden to support the young age silkworm rearing for successful cocoon production

 

CONCLUDED PROJECTS:

1)     APS 3238: Induction of trimoulting in bivoltine silkworm by physiologically active chemicals and their utilization as male parent for multi x bi hybrid preparation

 

Outcome:

*   Identification of physiologically active chemical for   inducing trimoulting in bivoltine silkworm

*   Reduction of larval period by 4–5 days in induced trimoulter by completely skipping of the 5th instar, thereby increasing the survival percentage during adverse seasons.

*   The number of cocoon in one kg was much higher in trimoulter (1978 & 1401 in YB & NB4D2 respectively) in comparison to control (649 & 602 in YB & NB4D2 respectively), which is helpful for grainage.

*   As the rearing performance of N x Tri (Bi) was found at par with N x Bi hybrid, trimoulter bivoltine male may be utilized safely for producing multi x bi dfls.

 

2)     APR 3250: Development of rearing package for optimizing cocoon yield in West Bengal

 

Outcome:

A season specific silkworm rearing technology suitable for agro-climatic condition of West Bengal has been developed.

 

Recommendation For Chawki Rearing:

Method of Rearing:

Low Humid Season:      Box rearing   

High Humid season:      Open type of Shelf    Rearing

Spacing:                       6 - 54 sq.ft./100 dfls   

Larval Density:            8900 to 750 per sq.ft.

 

Recommendation For Late Age Rearing:

Spacing between the trays : 9 inches.

Frequency of feeding:

                                       4 times (Low Humid season)

                                       3 times (High Humid season.)

Bed spacing:    396 sq.ft. /100 dfls

Larval density: 100 larvae /sq.ft.

 

Recommendation For Mounting:

Type of Mountage:  Plastic Collapsible mountage for all the crop seasons.

 

Larval Density:        Multi x Bi hybrids -  50  larvae per sq. ft.

                                  Multi x Multi         -  60  larvae per sq. ft.

 

Programme:   Refinement of seed technology package of SSTL, Kodathi for

                        implementation in West  Bengal  condition

 

     Out come:

*   Separation of sex of different Nistari lines  at cocoon stage based on cut-off point

*   Standardization of no. of moths required per square feet for loose egg preparation.

 

*   Standardization of no. of grains per gram in different crop seasons.

 

 

FARMERS’ NEED BASED TECHNOLOGIES DEVELOPED:

 

*   Silkworm Egg Box (Patented)

*   Low Cost Incubation Pot

*   Low Cost Rearing Tray (Provisionally Patented)

*   Acid Treatment Bath

*   Lime Duster

*   Mulberry Twig Chopper

*   Low Cost Hygrometer