Sahaf, K ADar, Khursheed Ahmad2016-12-232016-12-232014http://krishikosh.egranth.ac.in/handle/1/92385The present investigations on “Comparative study of mulberry leaf quality and silkworm rearing performance under different agro-climatic zones of Kashmir and Ladakh” was carried out during 2012 and 2013. Analysis of physio-chemical properties of soils collected from three different agro-climatic zones revealed that they were alkaline in their reaction. Slightly higher pH (8.2) was recorded at Kargil followed by Pattan (7.9) and Gurez (7.6). Electrical conductivity was highest (0.23) at Pattan and least at Kargil (0.08). Pattan soils were richer in organic carbon with an average value of 1.02. Varied results were obtained with respect to available soil nitrogen, the highest being recorded at Pattan with an average value of 372.8 kg ha-1. Pattan recorded maximum (22.45 kg ha-1) soil available phosphorus while as available sulphur was recorded highest (53.40 kg ha-1) at Kargil during both years of study. Among the three agro-climatic zones, Pattan exhibited significantly higher soil potassium (187.30 kg ha-1), exchangeable calcium (17.56 centi mole) and exchangeable magnesium (5.54 centi mole). In terms of yield potential, Pattan recorded the maximum yield (4.5 kg)/plant besides the leaf was found to register maximum fresh weight (358 g), moisture content (71.94%), moisture retention capacity (65.62%) as compared to other agro-climatic zones. Leaf nutrient analysis of Goshoerami variety revealed that Kargil leaf recorded maximum values for Zn (59 ppm), Mn (79 ppm), Cu (28 ppm) and sulphur (0.38%), while as Gurez was found to be better in terms of iron content (188 ppm). Pattan recorded higher content of nitrogen (2.65%), phosphorus (0.17%), potassium (1.65%), magnesium (1.134%) and calcium (3.02%) as compared to other two agro-climatic zones. Though silk worm rearing was successful under all the three zones, pattan showed comparatively better performance in terms of all the rearing parameters like larval duration, larval weight, single cocoon weight, single shell weight, shell ratio, cocoon yield by number, cocoon yield by weight, pupation rate, average filament length, denier, raw silk percentage and renditta followed by Gurez and Kargil.enThesis