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ThesisItem Open Access Evaluation of different Mulberry Genotypes for Autumn Silkworm (Bombyx mori L.) Rearing under Kashmir Conditions(SKUAST Kashmir, 2023) Sumaira Aslam Malik; Wani, Shabir AhmadThe investigation titled “Evaluation of different Mulberry Genotypes for Autumn Silkworm (Bombyx mori L.) Rearing under Kashmir Conditions” was carried out during the year 2021-2022.The present study was aimed to assess the impact of different mulberry genotypes namely Goshoerami, KNG, Mukey, Kokuso-20 and Botatul on growth and economic characteristics of bivoltine silkworm (Bombyx mori) under temperate climatic conditions of Kashmir by rearing the silkworm double hybrid FC1(CSR6×CSR26)×FC2(CSR2×CSR27)during autumn season. The leaf nutrient analysis of the different mulberry genotypes revealed that KNG had the maximum moisture retention capacity after 06 (86.25%) and 12 hours (78.81%), total carbohydrates (20.109%), total proteins (20.963%), total flavonoids (58.090 mg QE/g), total phenols (4.855 mg GAE/g), total chlorophyll (3.886 mg/g), total nitrogen (3.351%) and total phosphorous (0.249%). Amongst the five mulberry genotypes, the genotype KNG also registered better growth and cocoon characteristics. However, the different mulberry genotypes did not show significant effect on larval duration. The traits namely growth index (3.37), cocoon yield/10,000 larvae by number (9147) and weight (14.462Kg), single cocoon weight (1.715g), single shell weight (0.353g), shell percentage (20.576%), filament length (1163 meters) and raw silk yield (18.75%) were greatly influenced by the nutritive value of KNG. Amongst the different genotypes, KNG had superior leaf as compared to other genotypes that got reflected in the rearing and post cocoon parameters of the silkworm hybrid. Hence, KNG can be exploited for second commercial rearing (autumn rearing) as an alternative to Goshoerami, which is prone to powdery mildew during the autumn season.ThesisItem Open Access Bioactive compounds and properties of the Silkworm Bombyx mori L. droppings(SKUAST Kashmir, 2023) Seerat Showkat; Tantray, Aabid KhaliqInvestigation on “Bioactive compounds and properties of the Silkworm Bombyx mori L. droppings” was carried out during 2021-2022 at College of Temperate Sericulture, Mirgund and Division of Basic Sciences and Humanities, Faculty of Horticulture, Sher-e-Kashmir University of Agricultural Sciences and Technology of Kashmir, Shalimar. Silkworm droppings collected separately on 2nd day of 4th instar and 3rd day of 5th instar of 06 different breeds of silkworm (Bombyx mori. L) viz., CSR2, CSR4, M43, M46, SK4 and Sanish-8 during the rearing conducted at College of Temperate Sericulture, Mirgund was used in this study for investigation. Extraction of the droppings was carried out using two methods viz., aqueous and chloroform. In general, maximum yield of bioactive compounds was observed when extraction was carried out by aqueous method. The content of bioactive compounds in the silkworm droppings decreased from 4th to 5th instar. Contents of the bio actives in silkworm droppings were largely breed specific. The aqueous extract of 4th instar silkworm droppings of CSR4 breed recorded highest content of total phenols (14.76mgGAE/g), total flavonoids (11.67mgQE/g), total chlorophyll (3.81mg/g) and total protein (10.76%). However, the total carbohydrate content was found to be highest in M46 breed (7.15%) and lowest in CSR4 breed (4.31%). Also, breed specific antioxidant, antidiabetic and antibacterial activities were observed in silkworm droppings. The aqueous extract of 4th instar silkworm droppings of CSR4 breed showed highest DPPH radical scavenging activity (77.87%), SOD like activity (69.36%), α -glucosidase inhibitory activity (64.77%), α-amylase inhibitory activity (39.47%) and antibacterial activity on Bacillus sp. (4.40mm) and E. coli (8.36mm). A strong positive correlation was found to demonstrate the total antioxidant activity of 4th instar droppings with total phenols (r = 0.90), total flavonoids (r = 0.99). It also showed positive correlation with α-amylase (r = 0.83) and α-glucosidase (r = 0.83). The overall results of the study demonstrates that the silkworm droppings with special reference to the droppings of CSR4 breed can be better exploited for nutraceutical and pharmaceutical purpose.ThesisItem Open Access Effect of different locally available botanical formulations on mounting of silkworm, Bombyx mori L.(SKUAST Kashmir, 2023) Sameeka Nazir; Qadri, Syed Farhat IqbalThis study was conducted to evaluate the effect of different locally available botanical formulations on the mounting process, cocoon and post cocoon parameters of silkworm, Bombyx mori L. The test botanicals were screened at different concentrations i.e., T1 (50% walnut hull powder+50% paddy husk), T2 (75% walnut hull powder+25% paddy husk), T3 (100% walnut hull powder), T4 (50% pine leaves powder+50% paddy husk), T5 (75% pine leaves powder + 25% paddy husk), T6 (100% pine leaves powder), T7 (50% Ailanthus leaves powder+50% paddy husk), T8 (75% Ailanthus leaves powder+25% paddy husk), T9 (100% Ailanthus leaves powder), T10 (100% paddy husk) and T0 (control) and were maintained in a completely randomized design. The highest mounting per centage (97.00%) was found in T9 (100% Ailanthus leaves powder) followed by T3 (100% walnut hull powder) with mounting per centage of 96.00 per cent and the lowest mounting per centage (81.00%) was found in T0 (control). The lowest mounting period (24 hours) was recorded in T3 and T9 and highest (36 hours) was recorded in rest of the treatments. The maximum cocooning per centage (96.00%) on mountages was found in T9 (100% Ailanthus leaves powder) and the minimum (75.00%) was found in T0 (control). The minimum cocooning per centage on rearing bed was found in T9 (100% Ailanthus leaves powder) and the maximum was recorded in T0 (control). The highest good cocoon per centage (99.00%) on mountages was again recorded in T9 and the least (89.00%) was recorded in control. The defective cocoon per centage on mountages was minimum in T9 (100% Ailanthus leaves powder) and maximum in control. Good cocoon per centage on rearing bed was the highest in T9 and the lowest in control. No defective cocoons on rearing bed were recorded in T9 and the highest per centage (27.00%) was recorded in control. There were non-significant differences with respect to commercial cocoon parameters of silkworm viz., single cocoon weight (g), single shell weight (g) and cocoon shell per centage. The average filament length, average non-breakable filament length, denier and raw silk per centage also showed non-significant differences between the treatment groups. From the above findings, it is concluded that the application of 100 per cent Ailanthus altissima leaves powder is the most effective for accelerating the natural/ self-mounting process of silkworm. Also, the use of this locally available and eco-friendly botanical doesn’t have any adverse effects on the cocoon quality and post cocoon parameters. Thus, the application of Ailanthus altissima leaves powder can help the farmers to avoid the economic loss of seriposition under self-mounting method.ThesisItem Open Access Influence of Rooting Hormones on the Propagation of Mulberry Cuttings under Varied Environments.(SKUAST Kashmir, 2023) Ishfaq Ahmad Awan; Sharma, Ravinder KumarPhysiological requirements for root formation in cuttings have been studied by many workers and the importance of growth substances has well been recognised. In plant species rooting is the soul of survival which supports the plant in uptake of nutrients needed for growth and yield parameters. The present study “Influence of Rooting Hormones on the propagation of mulberry cuttings under varied environments” was carried out at College of Temperate Sericulture, Mirgund, SKUAST-K during the year 2022. The cuttings were dipped in different concentrations of different plant growth regulators for a period of 48 hours before planting under open field and protected conditions. Under protected conditions the cuttings were planted in well punctured polybags containing rooting medium comprising of sand, soil and FYM in the ratio 6:3:1, whereas under open field conditions, the cuttings were planted in nursery beds prepared well after digging and mixing of FYM and levelling. Under protected and open field conditions three growth regulators viz., Indole-3 butyric acid (Qualigen), Indole acetic acid (Qualigen) and 1-Napthalene acetic acid (Loba), each at three concentrations of 75, 100, 125 µg ml-1 for protected conditions and 150, 200, 250 µg ml-1 for open field conditions were prepared. Under protected conditions, the cuttings started sprouting during the Ist week of April and almost all the treatments recorded more than 55 per cent at the end of first week of April. The sprouting reached at its maximum on 35th day of planting where after some cuttings started drying and consequently died. As a result, the survival of sprouted cuttings started declining but remained constant from 56th day onwards and this was taken as the rooting percentage of cuttings. While as, under open field conditions all the treatments recorded sprouting during the second week of planting but the extent was less as compared to protected conditions. The cuttings in all the treatments recorded the maximum values for sprouting on the 56th day of planting and it ranged from 90 to 96 per cent in the different treatments whereas the survival of the cuttings started declining and remained constant after 112 days of planting. This was taken as the rooting percentage of the cuttings. Under protected conditions, Indole acetic acid (IAA) 200 µg ml-1 recorded highest values for rooting (86%), Number of roots/sapling (20.33), length of longest root (24.320 cm), Root weight (2.937g), Shoot weight (5.220g), Root volume (2.800 cm3), Number of leaves per sapling (7.500), Fresh leaf weight (5.137g), Dry leaf weight (1.800g), Shoot length (15.000 cm) and Shoot thickness (0.467cm). While as under open field conditions, Indole acetic acid (IAA) 200 µg ml-1 recorded highest values for rooting (26.00%), Number of roots/sapling (15.000), length of longest root (27.400 cm), Root weight (4.680g), Shoot weight (16.083g), Root-Shoot ratio (0.300), Root volume (4.320 cm3), Number of leaves per sapling (13.733), Fresh leaf weight (15.467 g), Dry leaf weight (5.777 g), Shoot length (20.000 cm) and Shoot thickness (0.950 cm). Further investigations on the subject can throw more information about the use of growth regulators in rooting of mulberry. This would in the long run be helpful for the increased multiplication of mulberry in shortest possible time for the sustenance of sericulture.ThesisItem Open Access Effect of Vitamin Supplements on Economic Traits of Silkworm, Bombyx mori L.(SKUAST Kashmir, 2023) Ifrah Shafi; Malik, Firdose AhmadThe investigation entitled “Effect of Vitamin Supplements on Economic Traits of Silkworm, Bombyx mori L.” was carried out at Division of Sericulture Crop Improvement in College of Temperate Sericulture, Mirgund, during spring (May - June) 2022. The study material comprised silkworm Double hybrid (CSR6×CSR26)×(CSR2×CSR27). The mass rearing of silkworms was conducted upto 3rd instar. After 3rd moult, three replications each of 100 worms were maintained for each treatment as well as for control. For the present study eight vitamins viz. Thiamine, Riboflavin, Niacin, Pantothenic acid, Pyridoxine, Biotin, Folic acid and Ascorbic acid with two different concentrations viz., 10µg/ml and 20µg/ml were selected to determine their effect on growth, development and commercial cocoon characters of silkworm. These vitamin solutions were sprayed @50ml/200gm mulberry leaf with the help of an atomizer and fed to silkworm larvae on alternate days once as first feed during 4th and 5th instar. One control was also maintained (worms fed with mulberry leaves treated with distilled water for comparison). The shortest 5th instar and total larval duration of 163 and 651 hours, respectively were recorded when mulberry leaves were fortified with Pyridoxine at 20µg/ml concentration and fed to the silkworms. The highest weight of 10 mature larvae of 52.25 grams, Silk gland weight of 1.97 grams, Silk gland somatic index of 36.52 per cent, cocoon yield of 9615 cocoons/10,000 larvae by number, cocoon yield of 18.17 kg by weight, silk productivity of 7.54 cg/day, single cocoon weight of 1.887 grams, single shell weight 0.430 grams and shell percentage 22.84 per cent were recorded in 20µg/ml Pyridoxine treatment. In case of post cocoon parameters longest filament length of 1184 meters, thinnest filament size of 2.47 and highest raw silk percentage of 17.45 per cent were also recorded in same treatment. The highest fecundity of 685 eggs per layings was recorded with Ascorbic acid at 20µg/ml concentration. Thus results of this study clearly indicated by improving the nutritional value of mulberry leaf by fortification with Pyridoxine followed by Ascorbic acid, Folic acid, Biotin, Riboflavin, Niacin and Pantothenic acid at 20µg/ml concentration resulted better growth and development of the silkworm. As such these vitamins can be utilized as feed supplement to improve productivity at field level especially when mulberry leaf is deficient in nutrients.ThesisItem Open Access Influence of Varied Photoperiod Regimes during Incubation on the Biology of Silkworm Bombyx mori L.(SKUAST Kashmir, 2023) Daima Salim; Buhroo, Z. I.The present investigation was undertaken to assess the rearing performance of silkworm and to find out its impact on the hatching percentage, post-harvest parameters and voltinism of the silkworm B. mori L. under different photoperiod regimes. The bivoltine silkworm race SK7 (Berhampur) was selected as experimental material. The disease-free laying’s (DFLs) were obtained from the Silkworm Germplasm Bank of College of Temperate Sericulture, Mirgund (SKUAST-K). The laying's were incubated at 25±1ºC temperature and relative humidity of 80±5% for about 11 days under different photoperiod regimes till hatching with a control group. Rearing of the treated batches was conducted by maintaining three replications per treatment adapting standard package of practices. The results of the study revealed significant increase in all the larval, cocoon and egg parameters. Among the six treatments evaluated T6 (24L:00D) showed significantly best results followed by T5 (20L:04D) which also showed better results in almost all the parameters. Improvement in most of the parameters was observed with respect to the treatments exposed to longer light durations. The significantly highest values obtained for the parameters include hatching percentage (95.6%), larval weight (40.60g), single cocoon weight (1.930g), ERR by number (9892/10,000 larvae), and by weight (19.093 kg), pupal weight (1.533g), sex ratio (75.67 females and 24.33 males) and fecundity (732.67) recorded in T6 (24L:00D). T0 (16L: 08D) recorded significantly maximum survival percentage and pupation rate of 95.67% and 94% respectively. The significantly highest moth emergence percentage (99.57%) was recorded in T1 (00L: 24D). However, there was no impact of varied photoperiod regimes on the morphology of the moths. Egg and egg shell colour was light yellow at the time of oviposition and turned light to dark brown after two to three days of oviposition. All the treated batches except, T5 (20L: 04D) turned greyish due to diapause. The non-diapausing egg percentage was found 100% recorded in T5. However, other treated batches (T0, T1, T2, T3, T4 and T6) laid 100% diapausing eggs. A major finding of the study has been the change in the voltinism of the race under photoperiod of 20 hours light and 04 hours darkness (T5) and is an indication of the expression of bivoltine character of the race with hatching percentage of 94.08% under natural conditions. Hence, eggs incubated under photoperiod of 20 hours light and 04 hours darkness resulted into non-diapausing in the consequent generation and need not to be acid treated for second commercial rearing.ThesisItem Open Access Study on the influence of Phytofortified Mulberry leaf on different economic traits of Silkworm Bombyx mori. L(SKUAST Kashmir, 2023) Asma Khursheed; Masarat BashirThe present investigation “Study on the influence of Phytofortified Mulberry leaf on different economic traits of Silkworm Bombyx mori. L.” was carried out at College of Temperate Sericulture, Mirgund, SKUAST-K during spring 2022. The silkworm hybrid (CSR2 x CSR4) were reared on mulberry leaves fortified with selected botanical extracts viz. Glycine max, Arachis hypogaea and Taraxacum officinale daily during fourth and fifth instar larva. Three different concentrations of selected botanical extracts viz. 2, 4 and 6% were given and has been found to improve the larval, cocoon and post cocoon parameters of the silkworm Bombyx mori. The fortification of mulberry leaves with selected botanical extracts exhibited positive influence on the growth and development of Bombyx mori. Among these concentrations 2% Glycine max significantly improved all the parameters studied registering 668.33 hrs (total larval period), 4.40 g (weight of mature larvae), 1.066% (larval mortality) 4.170 (growth index) 1.653 (silk land weight) 2.266 g (cocoon weight), 0.486g (shell weight), 99.103% (pupation rate)588.33 (fecundity), 1275m (average filament length) 17.786% (raw silk percentage) and 2.286(denier) as against 668.33hrs, 4.06g, 2.533%, 3.393, 1.497g, 1.946g, 0.390g, 97.283%,5 67.66,1086m., 14.816% and 2.513 in control respectively.ThesisItem Open Access Studies on Physiological, Anatomical and Biochemical aspects of some mulberry genotypes during different seasons under Kashmir climatic conditions(SKUAST Kashmir, 2023) Shaista Mehraj; Mir, Mushtaq RasoolMulberry (Morus sp.) is cultivated for its leaf which is the only food to silkworm (Bombyx mori L.). Qualitative as well as quantitative improvement in mulberry leaf is a pre requisite for the development of sericulture as mulberry leaf has been found to contribute the maximum (38.2%) towards the success of a cocoon crop (Miyashita et al., 1986). The plant is capable of thriving under varied agro climatic conditions and has a high degree of morphological, anatomical and physiological adjustments to changes in environment. The mulberry gives two flushes of leaf, first in May-June (spring crop of silkworm rearing) and the second in August-September (Late summer/autumn crop). The two flushes of mulberry leaf produced at two different seasons experience varied conditions in terms of climate, phenology and physiology and as such are expected to differ in various quality parameters and different genotypes can behave differently in the two seasons. Ten mulberry genotypes- Goshoerami, Ichinose, KNG, Rokokoyoso, Kokuso-20, Kokuso-21, Limoncina, Ensatakasuke, Chinese white and Kairyoroso were studied for various Physio-biochemical and anatomical parameters during spring and autumn seasons and correlations among different parameters were worked out. The genotypes depicted great variation as far as the parameters are concerned. During both the seasons, Goshoerami had the highest fresh weight of hundred leaves (520.90 and 606.91g), leaf moisture content at chawkie ( 78.85% &75.71%) , late age of silkworm rearing (76.61%&73.09%), moisture retention capacity after 6 (93.45 % &91.66%), and 12 hours (87.97% &81.35%) of harvest, Absolute Growth Rate (2.65, 5.98, 7.20 g/day during I, II, III interval of spring &3.28, 6.85, 9.81 g/day during I, II, III interval of autumn), Leaf Net Assimilation rate ( 0.9445, 0.9703, 0.8262 mg/cm2/day during I, II, III interval of spring & 0.9741, 1.0055, 0.8473 mg/cm2/day during I, II, III interval of autumn) single leaf area (343.65 &375.19 Cm2) and the yield per plant (6.750&7.690Kg), KNG registered the highest nitrogen (3.92% &3.77%), phosphorus (0.331% &0.314%), potassium (1.538%& 1.517%), calcium (13021.63 &13122.52 ppm), nitrate reductase activity (14.48 &10.64 µmol/ml/hr), total soluble sugar (2.03% & 2.33%) and total soluble carbohydrate (3.95% & 3.41%) whereas Kokuso-21 recorded the highest chlorophyll “a” (2.32 &1.99 mg/g ), chlorophyll “b” (1.76 & 1.29 mg/g), total chlorophyll (4.08 &3.28 mg/g), magnesium ( 6378.00 &6399.83 ppm) and iron (203.53 &195.82 ppm). Ensatakasuke, a fruiting genotype, recorded the highest specific leaf weight (0.789 & 0.794 mg/cm2) and total carotenoids (562.83 &535.50 µg/g). As far as the leaf anatomical parameters recorded during autumn are concerned, Goshoerami had the highest upper cuticular thickness (11.362 µm), palisade thickness (65.447 µm), spongy proportion (41.968%) and leaf thickness (194.858 µm). Chinese white registered the highest Stomatal length (24.135), breadth (11.781 µm) and palisade proportion (41.485%) where as Rokokoyoso registered the highest Stomatal frequency (711.061/ mm2), stomatal index (23.572%) and lower cuticular thickness (5.978 µm). During spring, leaf yield per plant had positive correlations with all the traits except TSLPP (r: -0.63), NSPP (r: -0.55) and SLA (r:-0.17). Likewise during autumn, it had positive correlations with all the traits except TBLPP (r: -0.08), NBPP (r: -0.47) and LNAR (r:-0.56). Leaf moisture content and moisture retention capacity showed positive correlation with most of the physiological and biochemical parameters. However, they were negatively correlated with total phenol content. Amongst the various leaf anatomical features, upper epidermal and cuticular thickness, spongy thickness and spongy proportion showed a highly positive correlation with most of the biochemical and physiological parameters. The study has generated information on the anatomical, physiological and biochemical aspects of different mulberry genotypes and their correlations and can be useful in future breeding programmes.ThesisItem Open Access Studies on the Microsporidian Disease (Pebrine) of Silkworm, Bombyx mori L.(SKUAST Kashmir, 2023) Sehreen RasoolSilkworm, Bombyx mori is categorized as Lepidopteran insect, mainly exploited for the production of natural silk fiber. Globally, silk has the distinction of the elegant light weight and durable textile, enthralling sheen, soft touch durable product possessing strong affinity to dyes. It is rightly known as ‘queen of textiles’ and its production is perceived as an art and science. The science and art of rearing silkworm to produce is called sericulture. In sericulture industry, the output depends on the growth and harvesting of the cocoon crops. However, the problem is the incidence and emergence of diseases, which has the propensity to lower down the cocoon crop production. Microsporidiosis or pebrine disease of the silkworm, caused by microsporidian Nosema bombycis (Nageli), is one of the most serious maladies, which determines the success or failure of sericulture industry. The pathogen is infectious and transmitted both vertically and horizontally. The present study was conducted to characterize the morphology of microsporidian spore by means of microscopy (Light and scanning electron microscopy) as well as micrometry. Also the impact of miscrosporidian infection on survival and economic parameters of six races of silkworm B.mori, viz: SK1, SK6, SK28, SH6, NB4D2 & CSR2 was studied. Furthermore, the site (tissue) and intensity of microsporidian infection was ascertained which was then correlated with various biochemical parameters (protein, carbohydrate, lipid) in different tissues of silkworm B.mori. The study revealed that the spore (which was designated as N1) present in the purified microsporidian isolate differed morphologically from typical N. bombycis spores. The N1 spores were oval in shape measuring 3.33±0.17µm in length and 1.84±0.09 µm in width whose spore length–width ratio (eccentricity index) was 1.80:1. The ultra-microscopic studies (SEM) of the microsporidian spores revealed that the external surface of N1 spores was rough with a depression in the middle of the spores. The study revealed that the microsporidian infection affected the survival and commercial characteristics of all the silkworm races under study, however, different races showed varied responses towards the microsporidian infection. Among the silkworm races under study, SH6 was least affected by the microsporidian infection and SK28 was most affected in terms of economic and commercial parameters under study viz. Fifth Age Larval Duration, Total larval period, Weight of the matured larvae, Single cocoon weight, Single shell weight, Shell ratio (%), Cocoon yield (by No.), Cocoon yield (by weight), Larval mortality (%), Survivability (%), Pupation rate, Moth emergence, Fecundity, Average filament length, Raw silk percentage and Denier. The microscopic examination of different tissues at larval stage viz. midgut, silkgland, malphigian tubules and at moth stage viz; gonads(ovaries) of six races of silkworm inoculated with microsporidian infection accentuated a high intensity of infection (more than 30 spores/field) in the gonads (ovaries) at moth stage. However, at the larval stage, moderate intensity of infection (5- 30 spores/field) on the 3rd day and 5th day of 5th instar was observed in all the larval tissues of all inoculated silkworm races. The intensity of the infection in the larval tissues was observed in the sequence: midgut ˃ silkgland ˃ malphigian tubules. The sequence of the susceptibility of the races to microsporidian infection based on the intensity of infection in different tissues under study was SK28˃CSR2˃SK6˃SK1˃NB4D2 >SH6. Gonadal (ovarian) infection was also observed suggesting transovarial transmission in the infected silkworms. The biochemical findings of the study correlated with the findings of site and intensity. The results of the present study accentuates a general negative effect of the microsporidian infection on all the biochemical parameters (protein, carbohydrate, lipid) under study in all the tissues of infected silkworm larvae in comparison to their healthy control. Based on the results of the present study, the changes in the concentration of bio-molecules can be used as markers to analyze the health status of silkworm, B.mori infected with pebrine disease. The study would, however, promote further investigations like TEM, molecular characterization, biochemical analysis of spore (microsporodian) proteins, artificial germination of spore and phylogenetic relationship studies based on molecular markers for confirmation of newer strains of microsporidia for development of appropriate mitigation and management strategies of this disease.
