Journal of Environment and Sociobiology

Chattopadhyay, Susanta Kumar

• A Profile of Sericulture with Special Reference to West Bengal

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Authors

Susanta Kumar Chattopadhyay ¹, Kunal Sarkar ¹

Affiliations
1 Department of Sericulture, Krishnath College, Berhampore, Murshidabad 742101, West Bengal, IN

Source

Journal of Environment and Sociobiology, Vol 5, No 1 (2008), Pagination: 1-6

Abstract

Sericulture is an agro-based labour intensive cottage industry. This industry has multi-dimensional aspects including cultivation and maintenance of host plants, rearing of silkworm larvae, reeling of silk extruded by the matured larvae, weaving and printing of woven silk. Silk was originated in China in around 3000 B.C. India is the only country of the world which produces all four types of silk, viz., Tasar, Eri, Muga and Mulberry silk and is the second largest silk producing country of the world next to China. At present almost 6 million people are engaged in different activities of this industry. This industry can provide remunerative employment of 13 persons/hectare/year. Major mulberry silk producing states of India are Karnataka (7301 MT), Andhra Pradesh (5084 MT), West Bengal (1520 MT), Tamil Nadu (443 MT), Jammu and Kashmir (90 MT) and others (181 MT). West Bengal is one of the major traditional states of mulberry silk production in India. Malda, Murshidabad and Birbhum are the major tradional districts of Sericulture in West Bengal.

Keywords

Sericulture, Silk, India, West Bengal.

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• Effect of Feeding of Different Maturity Level of Mulberry Leaves on the Commercial Characteristics of Bombyx mori L. during Dry Summer in West Bengal

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Authors

Kunal Sarkar ¹, Dilip Kumar Bhattacharya ², Susanta Kumar Chattopadhyay ¹, Subrata Trivedi ¹, Sudeshna Ghoshal ¹

Affiliations
1 Department of Sericulture, Krishnath College, Berhampore, Murshidabad-742101, West Bengal, IN
2 Department of Zoology, University of Kalyani, West Bengal, IN

Source

Journal of Environment and Sociobiology, Vol 5, No 1 (2008), Pagination: 7-18

Abstract

The Study Evaluated the Effect of Feeding of Different Maturity Level of Mulberry Leaves, I.e., Tender, Medium, Mix and Mature Leaves on the Commercial Characteristics of Crossbreed (N×NB₄D₂) during Dry Summer in West Bengal. the Data Obtained during the Study was Compared with those of Control where Conventional Leaf Feeding Method was Followed. most of the Larval and Cocoon Characters, Viz., Larval Weight, Effective Rate of Rearing, Cocoon Weight, Shell Weight and Shell Ratio Percentage, Etc., were Recorded Significantly Higher in Tender Leaves Fed Batches Followed by Medium Leaves Fed Batches. Significantly Higher Post Cocoon Parameters, Viz., Average Filament Length, Nonbreakable Filament Length, Renditta and Raw Silk Recovery Percentage, Etc., were Recorded in Tender Leaf Fed Batches. Qualitative Analysis of Leaves also Suggested that Tender Leaves are more Nutritious than other Maturity Level of Leaves. Mature Leaves Fed Batch Showed Inferior Performance in Terms of all the Characters. the Present Experiment also Revealed that 20% of Tender Leaves can be Saved Particularly in Dry Summer, which are Generally Clipped by Sericultural Farmers in West Bengal in Late Larval Instar before Providing Mulberry Shoots to Silkworm Larvae.

Keywords

Mulberry Leaves, Maturity Level, Cocoon Characters, Reeling Characters.

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• Effect of Water Treated Mulberry Leaves on the Commercial Characteristics of Bombyx mori L. during Wet Summer in West Bengal

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Authors

Kunal Sarkar ¹, Dilip Kumar Bhattacharya ², Susanta Kumar Chattopadhyay ¹, Subrata Trivedi ¹, Sudeshna Ghoshal ¹, Vinod B. Mathur ³

Affiliations
1 Department of Sericulture, Krishnath College, Berhampore, Murshidabad-742101, West Bengal, IN
2 Department of Zoology, University of Kalyani, West Bengal, IN
3 Central Sericultural Research and Training Institute, Mysore, Karnataka, IN

Source

Journal of Environment and Sociobiology, Vol 5, No 1 (2008), Pagination: 19-26

Abstract

Present investigation indicates that feeding larvae with Mulberry leaves which were water dipped and dried for entire larval instar (T2) and in late larval instar (T4) gave better performance than control in respect of most of the larval and cocoon characters. But feeding larvae with leaves immediately water dipped for entire larval instar (T₁) and in late larval instar (T3) showed inferior results in terms of all commercial characters in wet summer. This investigation suggests that leaves with high moisture content are not harmful for silkworm larvae at any season but water in the surface of leaves may be harmful for them. So it is important to feed silkworm larvae by just shaking the water from surface of the leaves or by drying the leaves for few minutes particularly during rainy season when the leaves are wetted due to rain. Investigation also reveals that if the wet leaves are dried for some time, it helps to increase the moisture percentage of leaves. Then it is also helpful to improve the cocoon characters.

Keywords

Water Treated Mulberry Leaves, Cocoon Characters, Reeling Characters.

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• Studies on Multiple Crossing of Some Popular Cross Breeds of Bombyx mori L. in West Bengal

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Authors

Subrata Trivedi ¹, Kunal Sarkar ¹, Susanta Kumar Chattopadhyay ¹, Gopinath Baur ¹, Manmatha Mandal ¹, Somdip Majumdar ¹

Affiliations
1 Department of Sericulture, Krishnath College, Berhampore, Murshidabad-742101, West Bengal, IN

Source

Journal of Environment and Sociobiology, Vol 5, No 1 (2008), Pagination: 27-36

Abstract

Of all factors that govern productivity in sericulture, the role of silkworm egg is of prime importance. It is the sheet anchor of sericulture industry. Timely supply of appropriate quality and adequate quantity of disease free silkworm eggs to the sericulturists is crucial for successful harvest of cocoon crops. Silk moths have a tendency to pair immediately after emergence from cocoons. The present study indicates that in case of N×M₁₂W, N×NB₄D₂ and N×YB crossbreeds at least 95%-99% fertilized eggs can be procured by using a single male moth for 4 times in crossing. So, if male moths are used 4 times during multiple crossing it would not affect the fertility of eggs. The present investigation also reveals that total fecundity almost remained same with control when male moths were even used for seven times in crossing. This suggests that that a single male moth can be used for four times by giving them sufficient rest in crossing with female moth and in this way a grainure can save considerable cost and hazards during the purchasing of seed cocoons of male components.

Keywords

Bombyx mori, Multiple Crossing, Silkworm Eggs, Fecundity, Fertilized and Unfertilized Eggs.

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• Performance of Multivoltine Hybrid Nistari ×M₁₂ (W) and Cross Breed N × NB₄D₂ of Bombyx mori L. during Favourable and Unfavourable Season in West Bengal

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Authors

Kunal Sarkar ¹, Dilip Kumar Bhattacharya ², Susanta Kumar Chattopadhyay ¹, Subrata Trivedi ¹

Affiliations
1 Department of Sericulture, Krishnath College, Berhampore, Murshidabad-742101, West Bengal, IN
2 Department of Zoology, University of Kalyani, West Bengal, IN

Source

Journal of Environment and Sociobiology, Vol 5, No 1 (2008), Pagination: 37-42

Abstract

In West Bengal rearing season of Mulberry is divided mainly in two parts, i.e., favourable season (November to April) and unfavourable season (May to October). Mulberry crop span is 70 days. So five harvests as well as five rearings can be done in a year. November crop (winter or Agrahani), February crop (spring or Falguni) and April crop (summer or Baishakhi) come under favourable season (dry summer) whereas June-July crop (rainy or Shrabani) and August-September crop (autumn or Aswina) come under unfavourable season (wet summer). A study was conducted from November, 2003 to November 2006 to evaluate the performance of multivoltine hybrid Nistari × M₁₂ (W) and cross breed Nistari × NB₄D₂ of Bombyx mori during favourable and unfavourable seasons. The study revealed that during favourable season performance of cross breed Nistari × NB₄D₂ is better but during unfavourable season Effective Rate of Rearing is very less and melting percentage is considerably higher in case of Nistari × NB₄D₂ batch as compared to Nistari × M₁₂ (W) batch.

Keywords

Nistari × NB₄D₂, Nistari × M₁₂ (W), Rearing Season.

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• An Overview on Major Mulberry Silkworm Races Bombyx mori L. of India and their Characteristics

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Authors

Kunal Sarkar ¹, Subrata Trivedi ¹, Dilip Kumar Bhattacharya ², Susanta Kumar Chattopadhyay ¹

Affiliations
1 Department of Sericulture, Krishnath College, Berhampore, Murshidabad-742101, West Bengal, IN
2 Department of Zoology, University of Kalyani, West Bengal, IN

Source

Journal of Environment and Sociobiology, Vol 5, No 1 (2008), Pagination: 43-48

Abstract

In India sericulture is mainly confined to its tropical belt. This country has a number of polyvoltine races which are in use for a long time and considered indigenous. Though these indigenous races are poor silk yielder but still these are very popular due to their tremendous ability to survive under extreme tropical conditions. Besides that, some bivoltine breeds are also evolved throughout the country due to some sincere efforts of our silkworm breeders. Here an effort is made to study the major silk worm races of our country.

Keywords

Silkworm Races, Multivoltine Race, Bivoltine Race.

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• Study of Pubescence in Different Matuirity Level of Leaves in Different Mulberry Varieties

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Authors

Subrata Trivedi ¹, Kunal Sarkar ², Dilip Kumar Bhattacharya ², Susanta Kumar Chattopadhyay ², Sudeshna Ghoshal ²

Affiliations
1 Department of Zoology, University of Kalyani, West Bengal, IN
2 Department of Sericulture, Krishnath College, Berhampore, Murshidabad-742101, West Bengal, IN

Source

Journal of Environment and Sociobiology, Vol 5, No 1 (2008), Pagination: 49-54

Abstract

The present study was conducted on number, length and the pattern of pubescence in different maturity level of leaves in different improved mulberry varieties i.e., S₁, S₁₆₃₅ and also in a local variety which are commonly cultivated in various parts of West Bengal. The study reveals that density of pubescence is more in tender leaves, but the pubescence in tender leaves is immature in stage. Tip of pubescence is blunt in case of tender leaves. Length of pubescence is increased and tip of pubescence is sharp and pointed in case of mature leaf. Length of pubescence is less in S₁₆₃₅ variety in all types of leaves as compared to that the local and S₁ varieties. But in case of local variety pubescence is longest. Tip of pubescence is found more sharp in case of local variety and less sharp in case of S₁₆₃₅ variety. This result indicates that among these three varieties insects prefer to feed S₁₆₃₅ variety in terms of pubescence study. On the other hand, due to presence of immature and blunt type of pubescence, tender leaves are more favourable and palatable for silkworm larvae.

Keywords

Pubescence, Maturity Level of Leaves, Mulberry Varieties.

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• Role of Pathogenic Bacteria and Foreign Bodies in the Hemocyte Count of Different Races of Silkworm (Bombyx mori L.)

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Authors

Sagnik Kumar Ganguly ¹, Arindam Chakraborty ², Gopinath Baur ², Susanta Kumar Chattopadhyay ², Subrata Trivedi ², Sudeshna Ghoshal ²

Affiliations
1 1 Debitala Lane, Ichapur, 24-Parganas (N), W. Bengal PIN- 74314, IN
2 Department of Sericulture, Krishnath College, Berhampore, West Bengal, IN

Source

Journal of Environment and Sociobiology, Vol 5, No 1 (2008), Pagination: 89-96

Abstract

Comparative cellular immune responses between commercially exploited bivoltine and multivoltine races have been studied. Worms of different races are inoculated with pathogenic bacteria Staphylococcus vitulinus. Total Haemocyte Count (THC) at each post-inoculation period has been noted and compared with control groups. Bivoltines have more hemocytic concentration than that of any multivoltine races. A common behavior is observed for all races after inoculation of pathogen. The hemocyte population decreases in Ist hour, increases in 2^nd hour and again decreases in 3^rd hour. In second experiment, a multivoltine race, M₁₂W was selected and was injected with saline having silica, indigo and carbon particles and with particle free saline (0.67% NaCl). But results similar to those of the first experiment were found indicating that pathogenicity is not the cause of first 3 hours, down-up-down sequence of THC in inoculated worms.

Keywords

Total Haemocyte Count, Pathogen, Bivoltine and Multivoltine Silkworms.

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• Important Diseases of Silkworm in West Bengal

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Authors

Susanta Kumar Chattopadhyay ¹, Amalesh Choudhury ², Sanat Roy ¹

Affiliations
1 Department of Sericulture, Krishnath College, Berhempore, Murshidabad-742101, West Bengal, IN
2 S. D. Marine Biological Research Institute, Sagar Island, 24-Pg(s), West Bengal, IN

Source

Journal of Environment and Sociobiology, Vol 5, No 1 (2008), Pagination: 103-106

Abstract

Common diseases of silkworms in West Bengal are White Muscardine (fungal), Grasserie (viral) and Flacherie (viral and bacterial complex) and Protozoan disease Pebrine. Only pebrine is transovarial; hence it is most dangerous. But this disease incidence is now reduced after establishment of seed organization and systematic mother moth examination. All the above diseases are lethal and infectious. Preventive measures should be taken during silkworm rearing to avoid these diseases. In the present communication symptoms, causal organisms, route of infection and control measures of thse disease are discussed.

Keywords

Silkworm, Diseases, West Bengal.

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• Effect of Earlier and Delayed Mounting of Matured Larvae on the Commercial Characteristics of bombyx Mori L.

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Authors

Kunal Sarkar ¹, Susanta Kumar Chattopadhyay ¹, Gopinath Baur ¹, Sanat Kumar Ray ¹

Affiliations
1 Department of Sericulture, Krishnath College, Berhampore, Murshidabad, West Bengal 742101, IN

Source

Journal of Environment and Sociobiology, Vol 8, No 2 (2011), Pagination: 223-228

Abstract

The effect of earlier and delayed mounting of matured larvae on the commercial characteristics of Bombyx mori L. was investigated in the present experiment. There are no significant differences in yield, cocoon and reeling characters between the control (larvae mounted after ideal maturation) and larvae mounted 24 hours after maturation. The present study indicates that larvae mounted 24 hours before maturation give significantly inferior results in terms of yield, cocoon and reeling characters as compared to other characters. The study also indicates that late mounting of larva does not affect quality of cocoon but early mounting of larvae may seriously affect the quality of cocoon. The main reason behind this is that early mounting of silkworm larvae does not allow to create superfluous amino acids in the body and hence it does not excrete from the body. It ultimately affects the process of cocooning. Hence hurry in mounting is not desirable before ideal maturation of larvae, even if labour or time is not available. Rather farmers may wait for a day after ideal time of maturation.

Keywords

Bombyx mori, Maturation, Mounting, Cocoon.

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• Effect of Frequency of Feeding on the Commercial Characteristics of Bombyx mori L.

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Authors

Kunal Sarkar ¹, Susanta Kumar Chattopadhyay ¹, Gopinath Baur ¹

Affiliations
1 Department of Sericulture, Krishnath College, Berhampore, Murshidabad, West Bengal 742101, IN

Source

Journal of Environment and Sociobiology, Vol 8, No 2 (2011), Pagination: 229-235

Abstract

The effect of feeding frequency on the commercial characteristics of Bombyx mori L. was investigated in the present experiment. The result indicates that there is no significant differences between frequency of feed 4/day (control) (T⁰) and frequency of feed 3/day (T¹) in dry summer. But frequency of feed 2/day (T²) is not effective in dry summer. During dry summer 4 feeds/day is ideal to maintain requisite humidity in the rearing bed. The present study clearly indicates that double feeding is highly useful in wet summer. Double feeding is highly economic in terms of management of labour, rearing and other rearing operations.

Keywords

Bombyx mori, Feeding Frequency, Double Feeding, Silkworm.

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• Effect of Using Banana Leaves and Aurum Leaves as Seat and Cover of Rearing Tray on the Commercial Characteristics of Bombyx mori L during Dry Summer

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Authors

Kunal Sarkar ¹, Susanta Kumar Chattopadhyay ¹, Gopinath Baur ¹, Sanat Kumar Ray ¹

Affiliations
1 Department of Sericulture, Krishnath College, Berhampore, Murshidabad, West Bengal 742101, IN

Source

Journal of Environment and Sociobiology, Vol 8, No 2 (2011), Pagination: 241-245

Abstract

The effect of using banana leaves and aurum leaves as seat and cover of rearing tray on the commercial characteristics of Bombyx mori L during dry summer was investigated in the present experiment. In dry summer using of banana leaves and aurum leaves as seat and cover in the rearing tray gave better result than conventional method of using paraffin paper for the same purpose. Using of these leaves as seat and cover of rearing tray increased the moisture retention capacity of mulberry leaves which ultimately ensured the better economic characters of silkworm larvae as well as cocoons. Not only in early stages but also in late stages, silkworm larvae may be reared by using banana leaf and aurum leaf as seat and cover. Besides these cost of banana leaf and aurum leaf is negligible and these are easily available at farmers level.

Keywords

Bombyx mori, Rearing Tray, Banana Leaf, Aurum Leaf, Paraffin Paper.

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• Effect of Feeding Duration on Fifth Instar Silkworm Larvae on the Commercial Characteristics of Bombyx mori L.

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Authors

Kunal Sarkar ¹, Susanta Kumar Chattopadhyay ¹, Gopinath Baur ¹

Affiliations
1 Department of Sericulture, Krishnath College, Berhampore, Murshidabad, West Bengal 742101, IN

Source

Journal of Environment and Sociobiology, Vol 8, No 2 (2011), Pagination: 247-251

Abstract

The effect of feeding duration on fifth instar silkworm larvae on the commercial characteristics of Bombyx mori L. was investigated in the present experiment. The present study clearly indicates that larval duration in 5^th instar directly correlates with the commercial characters of cocoons. Maximum larval duration as well as maximum leaf feeding ensures maximum harvest. Silkworm larvae fed with mulberry leaves upto 3^rd day in 5^th instar resulted no cocoons in the mountages. Even after complete maturation of silkworm larvae, it is desirable to feed silkworm larvae even for an extra day; otherwise cocoon quality would be seriously affected.

Keywords

Bombyx mori, Feeding Duration, Fifth Instar, Silkworm Larvae.

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