Sericulture; Rearing and Economics

1. Wel-Come

2. Master Seminar
On
Sericulture; Silkworm Rearing and Economics
Seminar In-charge
Dr. D. B. Undirwade
Head, Department of Entomology
Dr .P D K V, Akola
Research Guide
Dr. S. K. Bhalkare
Asst. proff. Department of Entomology
Dr. P D K V, Akola
Presented By
Raju Mahada Gavhane
M.Sc. (Agri)
Enroll No.: LL/1878
DEPARTMENT OF ENTOMOLOGY
POST GRADUATE INSTITUTE
DR. PANJABRAO DESHMUKH KRISHI VIDHYAPEETH,AKOLA
2018-19

3. Introduction
History of silk
Sericulture statistics
Sericulture
Types of Silkworm
Silkworm races
Rearing of Silkworm
Mounting
Pests Of Mulberry Silkworm
Diseases Of Mulberry Silkworm
Economics of late silkworm rearing
Conclusion
Reference
Content:-

4. INTRODUCTION
Sericulture is the rearing of silkworms for the production of raw silk.
The major activities of sericulture comprises of food-plant cultivation to feed
the silkworms which spin silk cocoons and reeling the cocoons for unwinding
the silk filament for value added benefits such as processing and weaving.
Although there are several commercial species of silkworms, Bombyx mori is
the most widely used. Silk-fiber is a protein produced from the silk-glands of
silkworms.
Sericulture is ideally suited for improving the rural economy of the country, as
it is practiced as a subsidiary industry to agriculture. Recent research has also
shown that sericulture can be developed as a highly rewarding agro-industry

5. HISTORY OF SILK
A Chinese tale of the discovery of the silkworm's silk was by an ancient
empress Lei Zu, the wife of the Emperor.
 She was drinking tea under a tree when a silk cocoon fell into her tea and the
hot tea loosened the long strand of silk.
 As she picked it out and started to wrap the silk thread around her finger, she
slowly felt a warm sensation.
When the silk ran out, she saw a small larva. She realized that this caterpillar
larva was the source of the silk.
 She taught this to the people and it became widespread. Chinese Empress
Drinking tea under a tree Silkworm cocoon falls into hot tea Silk strand unravels
and larva exposed
Chinese
Empress
Drinking tea
under a tree
Silkworm
cocoon falls
Silk strand unravels
and larva exposed

6. SERICULTURE STATISTICS
Raw Silk Producon in India
Sl. No. Parculars 2016-17
(Target)
2016-17 2015-16 Increase over
2015-16 (%)
A Mulberry Plantaon (ha.) 227000 216810 208947 3.8
B Mulberry Raw Silk (MT)
1 Bivoltine 5260 5266 4613 14.2
2 Cross Breed 17400 16007 15865 0.9
Sub‐Total (B) 22660 21273 20478 3.9
C Vanya Silk (MT)
1 Tasar 3285 3268 2819 15.9
2 Eri spun silk 5835 5637 5060 11.4
3 Muga 220 170 166 2.5
Sub‐Total (C) 9340 9075 8045 12.8
Total (B+C) 32000 30348 28523 6.4
(Source : Annual Report of Central Silk Board, 2016-17)

7. Sr,
no.
States Production of raw silk
(MT) 2016-17
% of total mulberry silk
produce in india
1 Karnataka 9823 47.97
2 Andhra pradesh 5086 24.84
3 West Bengal 2351 11.48
4 Tamil Nadu 1898 9.27
5 Maharastra 275 1.23
Top 5 Largest silk producing states in india
The above mentioned top 5 states accounted for 94.78% of the total
Mulberry silk produced in india as a whole during 2016-17
(Source: Central Silk Board, Ministry of textiles.)

8. In Maharashtra 22 Districts are involved in sericulture of which 18 Districts are
engaged in mulberry sericulture.
In Vidarbha region of Maharashtra State, particularly Gadchiroli, Bhandara,
Gondia and Chandrapur District tasar sericulture is carried out on Yen and Arjun
trees.
In Maharashtra State 18 districts motivate mulberry sericulture while only 04
districts (Gadchiroli, Bhandara, Gondia, Chandrapur) are involved in tasar
sericulture.
Weather in all districts of Maharashtra is suitable for mulberry cultivation. While
silkworm rearing needs temperature about 25-280c and moisture 65-85%.

9. Silkworm races
Bi-voltine: Only two generational cycles can be completed per year, the worms are
sensitive to environment changes and ‘crop’ losses are high. Cocoon production is
less than 50kg/100DFL.
Multi-voltine: Silkworms which can be reared many times in a year (8 to 12
cycles). The worms are hardy and have high survival rates and can produce more
than 50 to 70 kg/100DFL. The quality of silk is slightly inferior to that of bi-voltine
races.
Crossbred: A cross of multi-voltine female with bi-voltine male (BAIF I; YWG
XCSR2, BAIF II; WBC1 X CSR2). These crosses perform better in Maharashtra
than the previous two and are therefore being promoted. Average cocoon
production ranges from 50 to 100kg/100DFL. It is the ‘race’ preferred by farmers
due to its combination of hardiness and higher production.

10. Different types of silk
Therearefivemajor typesof silk obtained from different
speciesof silkworm
Oak Tasar
Muga
Eri
Mulberry
Tasar

11. Mulberry silk worm
The bulk of the commercial silk produced in the world comes from
this variety and often silk generally refers to mulberry silk.
Mulberry silk comes from the silkworm, Bombyx mori L. which
solely feeds on the leaves of mulberry plant.
These silkworms are completely domesticated and reared
indoors.
In India, the major mulberry silk producing states are Karnataka,
Andhra Pradesh, West Bengal, Tamil Nadu and Jammu & Kashmir
which together accounts for 92 % of country's total mulberry raw silk
production

12. Eri silk worm
Also known as Endi or Errandi, Eri is a multivoltine silk spun from open-
ended cocoons, unlike other varieties of silk.
Eri silk is the product of the domesticated silkworm, Philosamia ricini that
feeds mainly on castor leaves.
Ericulture is a household activity practiced mainly for protein rich pupae, a
delicacy for the tribal.
Resultantly, the eri cocoons are open-mouthed and are spun.
The silk is used indigenously for preparation of chaddars (wraps) for own
use by these tribals.
In India, this culture is practiced mainly in the north-eastern states and
Assam. It is also found in Bihar, West Bengal and Orissa

13. Muga silk worm
This golden yellow colour silk is prerogative of India and the pride of
Assam state. It is obtained from semi-domesticated multivoltine
silkworm, Antheraea assamensis.
These silkworms feed on the aromatic leaves of Som and Soalu
plants and are reared on trees similar to that of tasar.
Muga culture is specific to the state of Assam and an integral part of
the tradition and culture of that state.
The muga silk, an high value product is used in products like
sarees, mekhalas, chaddars, etc.

14. Tasar silk worm
Tasar (Tussah) is copperish colour, coarse silk mainly used for
furnishings and interiors. It is less lustrous than mulberry silk, but
has its own feel and appeal.
Tasar silk is generated by the silkworm, Antheraea mylitta which
mainly thrive on the food plants Asan and Arjun.
The rearings are conducted in nature on the trees in the open.
In India, tasar silk is mainly produced in the states of Jharkhand,
Chattisgarh and Orissa, besides Maharashtra, West Bengal and
Andhra Pradesh.
Tasar culture is the main stay for many a tribal community in
India.

15. Oak Tasar:
It is a finer variety of tasar generated by the silkworm, Antheraea
proyeli J.
In India which feed on natural food plants of oak, found in abundance
in the sub-Himalayan belt of India covering the states of Manipur,
Himachal Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, Assam, Meghalaya and Jammu &
Kashmir.
China is the major producer of oak tasar in the world and this comes
from another silkworm which is known as Antheraea pernyi.

16. Mulberry Silkworm Moth
 Mulberry silkworm moth feed on mulberry leaves, Mulberry is the
best food plant and is available locally. it has got serrated leaves which
are taken by the caterpillars very easily. Silkworm moth requires Low
temperature and little moisture for rearing
Taxanomy
 Scientific name: Bombyx mori (Linneaus)
 Family: Bombycidae
 Order: Lepidoptera

17. Life CyCLe

18. Eggs
Female lay 200-300 eggs over a couple of days, and usually die
within 2 weeks.eggs are small, hemisphereical and grayish

19. Caterpillar
Elongated, whitish-grey, about 7-8 cm long with a swollen and
wrinkled thorax and abdomen 10-segmented

20. Pupa
Medium reddish-brown, about 1 inch long, obtect and enclosed
on a cocoon of white or whitish-yellow silk, Eyes, antennae, legs
and wing- pads, etc., are on the venteral side

21. Adult
Dirty-white, about 1 inch long, male with smaller and more pointed
abdomen.wings covered with scales and used for flight.

22. Silk Seed
Silk seed is always available in the form of eggs in packets. One
oz.of seed contains 20,000-22,000 eggs

23. Incubation and food requirements
For rearing 1 oz. of seed, at least 15 full grown trees of mulberry are
required. Incubation of eggs starts at least 15 days earlier than the
sprouting of the leaves so, that when the catterpillars comes out, the
tender leaves are available

24. Conditions for hatching
Placing the eggs in incubator is the best process.if incubator is not
available then maintain room temperature 24-26 C. Eggs should be
covered with a basket for the safeguard against sparrows and
termites.

25. Silk Secretion
The young one hatch out in 10-12 days and hatching continues for 2-
3 days. After hatching catterpillars begins to secrete silk thread and
get entagled with empty egg shells

26. Separation of catterpillars
To separate catterpillars place a netting on the egg shells and
place some tender leaves.the catterpillars will creep on leaves. Lift
the netting to separate the catterpillars.

27. Space required for caterpillar
1st stage……24sq.ft
2nd stage……40sq.ft
3rd stage……80sq.ft
4th stage……250sq.ft
5th stage……300-500 sq.ft
Congestion should never be
allowed otherwise caterpillars
may die off.

28. How To Get The Leaves For
Larval Feeding
Leaves are collected twice a day; once at 10 am when the dew has
gone dry and then towards the evening time, The leaves collected
at 10 am are fed for the rest of the day and those collected in
evening are fed in night

29. Quantity of food required
by various stages of larvae
1st stage larvae emerge from 1 0z.of
seed= 5 kg of leaves
2nd stage larvae emerge from 1 0z.of
seed=10 kg of leaves
3rd stage larvae emerge from 1 0z.of
seed=15 kg of leaves
4th stage larvae emerge from 1 0z.of
seed=109kg of leaves
5th stage larvae emerge from 1 0z.of
seed=400kg of leave
Total=500-600kg of leaves
(15-16 mulberry tree leaves)

30. Length of thread/Caterpillar
The length of thread given by a single caterpillar is 1300-1500 m. If the
cocoon are not collected at proper time, the caterpillars will make hole
and damaging the whole cocoon for coming out.

31. Stifling Suffocation
The process of killing the pupa inside the cocoon is called Stifling
Suffocation This is done by two ways.
1) By Sun Heat
2) By steam

32. PESTS OF MULBERRY SILKWORM
Uzifly
Type of damage
1.Mature maggot causes reduction in yield of cocoons and cocoon quality.
2.Causes death of silkworm larva.

33. Symptoms
1.Presence of creamy white oval eggs on the skin of larvae in the initial
stage.
2.Presence of black scar on the larval skin
3.Silkworm larvae die before they reach the spinning stage (if they are
attacked in the early stage).
4.In later stage, pierced cocoon is noticed.

34. Period of occurrence
Throughout the year, severity is more in winter months
Management:-
Maintain sanitary and hygienic conditions in the rearing room.
Provide physical barriers like wire mesh in the doors and windows of the
rearing rooms.
Spray 1 per cent benzoic acid over the larvae to kill the eggs of uzi fly.
Dissolve the uzicide tablets in the water (2 tablets/l) to attract the adults.
Release the gregarious, ectopupal hyperparasitoid, Nesolynx
thymus (Eulophidae: Hymenoptera) @ 1 lakh adults/100 dfls during night
hours. Release the hyperparasitoid in three split doses @ 8000, 16,000
and 76,000/100 DFLs during fourth and fifth instars and after cocoon
harvest.

35. DISEASE OF SILKWORM
Pebrene – caused by protozoan;
larvae become pale yellow, size
reduces & no yield.
Grasserie – skin of larvae rough &
saliva becomes thick.
Flacherie – indigestion occurs &
worm becomes thin, inactive &
regenerates.
Muscardine –due to fungi;
mortality occurs due to heavy rain
& unhygienic.

36. Sl.No. Particulars Amount (Rs.)
1. Ploughing 1,000.00
2. FYM 16 tons/ Rs. 450 / tonne) 7,200.00
3. Forming Ridges and Furrows 1,600.00
4. Mulberry cuttings/ Seedlings (@Rs. 1) per 10,000.00 Nos 10,000.00
5. Transplanting (Labour charges) 1,000.00
6. Weeding 3,000.00
7. Fertilizers cost 1,500.00
8. Foliar spray of nutrients 500.00
9. Irrigation 800.00
Total 26,600.00
Economics of late silkworm rearing
Mulberry area : 2.00 acres
Silkworm rearing shed size : 60’ x 20’ (Feet)
A. Mulberry cultivation and maintenance expenditure

37. Sl.No. Particulars Amount
(Rs.)
1. Shoot harvesting 1500 sq.ft. (1 sq.ft. = Rs.7/-) 10,500.00
2. Chandrike 300 Nos (@Rs. 40/- chandrike) 12,000.00
3. Bed cleaning net s (100 m) (Rs. 2. Per/m) 2,000.00
Total 24,500.00
B. Silkworm rearing shed
1. Silkworm rearing shed size (60’ x 20’) : 1200 Sq.ft
2. Walls with Hallow blocks( 7’ to 8’ )
3. Coconut fronds for top
4. Door - 6’ to 4’ (one number)
5. Windows - 6’ to 3’ - 13 numbers
6. Cement floor
7. Total cost of building construction Rs. 1, 25,000
C. Expenditure on Silkworm Rearing Materials

38. Sl.No. Particulars Amount (Rs.)
1. Cost of eggs for 20000 dfls @ Rs. 5/dfls 5,000.00
2. Spraying for mulberry (10 crops @ Rs.500/ crop) 5,000.00
3. Labour charges 30,000.00
4. Chemical fertilizers for 10 crops 5,000.00
5. Weeding (10 times @ Rs. 500/ weeding) 5,000.00
6. Cost of pesticides and foliar nutrients 2,500.00
7. Irrigation 2,500.00
8. Transport charges to cocoon market 5,600.00
Total 60,100.00
D.Silkworm rearing and cocoon production / Annum
1. No. of silkworm rearing per annum : 10
2. No. of dfls required(10 rearingx 200 dfls) : 20,000 dfls
E. Silkworm Rearing Expenses

39. Sl.No. Particulars Amount (Rs.)
1. Cocoon harvested per annum (@ 70 kg
cocoon /100 dfls)
1400 kg
2. Return (@ Rs. 120 per / kg) 1,68,000.00
3. Annual expenditure 60,100.00
Net profit 1,07,800.00
F. Income
(Source : Sericulture TNAU Agritechportal)

40. CONCLUSION
Sericulture biologically means that the cultivation of silkworm. Mulberry plants are
typically used as cultivating plant.
Bombix mori is the most important silkworm. Sericulture is the production of raw
silk by raising silk worms.
The productivity and profitability of sericulture depends on the yield of mulberry
crop. It is a cottage industry combining agriculture and industry.
The end product of this agro-industry is silk.
The production process of silk involves a long chain of interdependent specialized
operations such as mulburry cultivation, silkworm seed production, rearing of silk
worm, reeling, twisting and weaving of silk, etc. which provide employment to about
60 lakhs people in the villages of India through family labour and is the second
largest employer in the country.
Sericulture is an export oriented agro - industry. Indian silks are exported to more
than 50 countries and gains about 800 crores of rupees each year from it.
We have a unique position among the silk producing countries, because India is
the only country in the world producing all the four commercially important varieties
of natural silk - Mulberry, Tasar, Eri, and Muga silk.