Tropical tasar silkworm is a polyphagous silk spinning insect, endemic to India. The silkworms are commercially reared on field-raised host plants, which are geographically contiguous with the wild silkworm fauna. Ecologically, the silkworm is r-selected and evolved with complex survival strategies. Naturally, the population regulated by the interactions between host and natural enemies and their dynamics due to tri -trophic interactions. Hence, understanding the effect of biotic and abiotic factors on silkworm is most critical for increasing the productivity of the cocoons. The cocoon yield trends at different locations are an indication for local specific problems and requirements for specific technological interventions. Cocoon yield obtained at different locations during 2015 to 2017 was analysed for variation in cocoon yield. Further, predator dynamics and incidence of silkworm diseases were also measured to know their impact on silkworms. The results revealed that the highest cocoon yield was recorded in Chhattisgarh (59.97) and West Bengal (54.57) and lowest was in Maharashtra (34.92) and Madhya Pradesh (37.80). Average cocoon yield in Jharkhand and Odisha was 40.18 and 43.30, respectively. Based on the tukeys HSD test, the highest cocoon yield per dfl was recorded at Bilaspur and Pali. The next highest was recorded in Sundergarh, Boirdadar, Patelnaga and Bastar. The significant changes in the predator's population were recorded before and after brushing of the silkworm. Highest incidence was recorded during 1 st , 2 nd and 3 rd instar silkworm and reduced in the subsequent stages. Correlation studies indicated that there was a strong positive linear relationship between silkworm mortality and predator population. Similarly, the silkworm mortality due to disease-causing pathogens was 53.70 %, 26.75 % and 10.90 % during the first crop and 29.27%, 12.10 % and 9.70 % during the second crop in Jharkhand, Madhya Pradesh and Chhattisgarh, respectively. The study showed that the spatial variation in cocoon yield wasinfluenced by the sporadic occurrence of insect-predators and disease-causing organisms at critical stages of rearing.
The tropical tasar silkworm, Antheraea mylitta Drury (Lepidoptera: Saturniidae) a polyphagous insect, distributed in majority of the agro-ecological conditions in India with varied phenotypic, physiological and behavioral characters. Tropical tasar has special significance owing to its potential in providing self-employment to these marginal farmers. Presently projected tasar raw silk production target is 3840 MT and by 2030 it is anticipated to be 6000 MT, the base of sericulture industry is the seed sector and production of quality dfls which in terns comes from quality cocoons and is vital aspect in tasar silk industry. Majority of silkworm rearing happens in conventional forest patches (natural habitat) where constraints like exposure to predators, parasites, diseases and natural vagaries are prominent. The present average rearing capacity is around 150-200 dfls/ha and the productivity ranges from 30-35 cocoons/dfl with a success rate of 15 to 20%. Quality tasar seed cocoon production depends upon successful management of host plant as the nutritional status of food plant plays a pivotal role on silkworm life cycle and its reproductive potential. The swift progress in technologies adoption like preparation of farmland, high yielding host plant lines, harnessing potential of alternate primary food plant like Lagerstroemia speciosa, nursery raising techniques, separate chawki garden and planting procedures (proper spacing), following calendar of activities for maintenance of host plant, protection of host plants from pest and disease through recent interventions, farm mechanization, integrated farming practices, application of organic inputs are required for improvement of quantity and quality of leaf. The adoption of proper management approaches improves the water use efficiency, soil health status, leaf nutrient quality, lower pest load thereby increasing the rearing capacity upto 250 dfls /ha with an average yield of 45 to 50 cocoons/dfls in-turn making the venture more productive and remunerative.
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