Field Evaluation of Different Locally Available Mounting Materials for Their Suitability under Hilly Areas of Kashmir

Design and evaluation of eco-friendly mountages for the silkworm, Bombyx mori L.

“…even though the durability of new mounting structures are yet tobe understood, their self mounting ability definitely plays paramount role in doubling the serifarmer's incomeby remarkebaly reducing the cost on labour. Rashid et al (2018) also found similar results while using different self mounting materials to rear BV double hybrid FC 1 XFC 2 . Shivakumar et al (2016), recorded relatively higher cocoon shell ratio of 18.34 % on ribbon chandrike than bamboo mountage (18.22 %) for BV double hybrid.…”

“…Hence, they need proper ventilation to maintain quality of cocoon and rawsilk. As in the new self mounting structures, an ideal mountage provides enough space and good aeration for the spinning larvae upon placing on the rearing bed thereby adding to the quality of cocoon and rawsilk (Rashid et al, 2018). Further, the larvae need proper grip to lay foundation during construction of cocoon, which is effectively available in spiral mountage because the material used is bamboo tape.…”

“…Chandrakanth et al (2004) also reported highest percentage of cocooning in bamboo mountage compared to plastic ones. The dried parts of different plants like shoot of Indigoferaheterantha, Pinusexcelsa Paddy straw, etc., can be readily used without compromising the cocooning percentage in BV double hybrid FC 1 XFC 2 that works out to be very cheap and easily available (Rashid et al, 2018). The apo-geotrophic nature of silkworm could also be one of the reasons for higher numberof larvae and cocoons on spiral mountage than other self mounting structures.…”

“…Several studies across the globe that used different cocoonages have reported similar observations with regard to reeling characters silk cocoons.The natural plant parts such as mango twigs (Naphade et al, 2010), paddy straw and semi dried eucalyptus leaves (Pandey et al, 2006), twigs of Indigofera heterantha and Pinus excela (Rashid et al 2018) serve as better alternatives to plasticmountages and are abundant in nature reducing the cost of cocoon production. Besides other factors, the type of mountage, mounting methods and the mounting material used plays a paramount role in determining the quality of cocoons (Tazima, 1972;Periasamy and Radhakrishna, 1987;Geetha Devi et al,1990;Haroon et al, 2001;Rashid et al, 2018).…”

“…Several types of mountages areavailable in the field across globeviz., Bamboo mountages, bottle brush mountages, rotary mountages, plastic corrugated self mounting structures etc., some of which are more popular (Kutsumata, 1975;Rajan et al, 1996Rajan et al, , 2000. Farmers also use different locally available materials like mulberry shoots, paddy straw, shoots of Mustard hay (Brassica compestris), Indigoferaheterantha shoots,Pinusexcelsa shootlets, and such other twigsin Kashmir for mounting silkworms (Sugun et al, 2000;Rashid et al, 2018). The available literature reveals that the type of material used, design and fabrication of the mountage will decide the quality of the cocoon.…”