27 Apr Package and practices for cultivation of Eri silkworm host plant Castor in Ericulture
सिल्क कीट के मेजबान पौधे अरण्डी की खेती Northeastern region of India is rich in diversity of sericigenous insects and their host plants, out of which, four types namely Muga (Antheraea assamensis), Eri (Samia ricini), Oak tasar (Antheraea proylei) and Mulberry (Bombyx mori) silkworm have been commercially exploited for silk production. The Eri silkworm is multivoltine and polyphagous sericin producing insects. Eri culture is a traditional agro-based small scale industry, primarily practiced to meet the partial need of warm clothing. Moreover, eri pupae are popular as delicacy among the tribal people of this region. Proximate analysis of pupa showed that it contains 55-60% protein, 25-30% lipid, 4.96% fiber, and other substances, e.g. hormones, trace elements and vitamins, thus indicating that it could be a good protein source-for various purposes (Sharma, 2010). Eri silkworm significantly contributes to the Indian commercial silk production which is mostly confined to the Brahmaputra valley of Assam in the tribal inhabited districts. Approximately, 1.3 lakh families with plantation area of 26000 hectares are involved in ericuluture in northeastern region of this country. Annual production of eri raw silk has significantly increased from 974 MT in 1999-2000 to 2460.50 MT in 2009-10. It is also practiced in few districts of the neighbouring states mainly Meghalaya, Nagaland, Manipur and Arunachal Pradesh....