Comparative study of mulberry leaf quality and silkworm rearing performance under different agro

141 Pages·2014·18.6 MB·English

by  Khursheed Ahmad Dar

Comparative study of mulberry leaf quality and silkworm
rearing performance under different agro-climatic zones
of Kashmir and Ladakh

Khursheed Ahmad Dar

(2011-385-D)

Temperate Sericulture Research Institute
Faculty of Postgraduate Studies
Sher-e-Kashmir University of Agricultural Sciences &
Technology of Kashmir

2014
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Comparative study of mulberry leaf quality and silkworm
rearing performance under different agro-climatic zones
of Kashmir and Ladakh

Khursheed Ahmad Dar

(2011-385-D)

Thesis

Submitted to

The Faculty of Postgraduate Studies
Sher-e-Kashmir University of Agricultural Sciences &
Technology of Kashmir
in partial fulfilment of requirement for the award of the degree of

Doctor of Philosophy in Sericulture

2014
2
3
Sher-e-Kashmir
University of Agricultural Sciences & Technology of Kashmir
Temperate Sericulture Research Institute, Mirgund, Baramulla

Certificate – I

This is to certify that the thesis entitled “Comparative study of
mulberry leaf quality and silkworm rearing performance under
different agro-climatic zones of Kashmir and Ladakh” submitted
in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the award of the degree of
Doctor of Philosophy in Sericulture, to the Faculty of Postgraduate
Studies, Sher-e-Kahsmir University of Agricultural Sciences and
Technology of Kashmir, is a record of bonafide research work carried
out by Mr. Khursheed Ahmad Dar (Regd. No. 2011-385-D) under
my supervision and guidance. No part of the thesis has been submitted
for any other degree or diploma.
It is further certified that information received during the course
of investigation has duly been acknowledged.

( Dr. K.A. Sahaf )
Chairman
Advisory Committee

Endorsed

Prof. & Head,
Temperate Sericulture Research Institute
4
Sher-e-Kashmir
University of Agricultural Sciences & Technology of Kashmir
Temperate Sericulture Research Institute, Mirgund, Baramulla

Certificate – II

We, the members of the Advisory committee of
Mr. Khursheed Ahmad Dar (Regd. No. 2011-385-D), a candidate
for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy in Sericulture, have gone
through the manuscript of the thesis entitled, “Comparative study of
mulberry leaf quality and silkworm rearing performance under
different agro-climatic zones of Kashmir and Ladakh” and
recommend that it may be submitted by the student in partial
fulfilment of the requirements for the award of degree.

Advisory Committee

Chairman Dr. K.A. Sahaf
Director, Central Sericultural Research and
Training Institute, Pampore
Members
Dr. Afifa S. Kamili
Director Extension, SKUAST-Kashmir

Dr. F.A. Banday
Professor & Head, Division of Fruit Science,
SKUAST-Kashmir

Prof. M.A. Malik
Professor & Head, Temperate Sericulture
Research Institute, Mirgund

Dr. Javaid Ahmad Wani
Associate Professor, Division of Soil Science,
SKUAST-Kashmir

Dean PG Nominee Dr. S.A. Mir
Head, Division of Agri-Statistics,
SKUAST-Kashmir

5
Sher-e-Kashmir
University of Agricultural Sciences & Technology of Kashmir
Shalimar Campus Srinagar – 190 025

Certificate – III

This is to certify that the thesis entitled, “Comparative study
of mulberry leaf quality and silkworm rearing performance under
different agro-climatic zones of Kashmir and Ladakh” submitted
by Mr. Khursheed Ahmad Dar (Regd. No. 2011-385-D) to the
Faculty of Postgraduate Studies, Sher-e-Kashmir University of
Agricultural Sciences and Technology of Kashmir, in partial
fulfilment of the requirements for the award of the degree of Doctor
of Philosophy in Sericulture was examined and approved by the
Advisory Committee and external examiner on ………………..

Chairman External Examiner
Advisory Committee

Prof. & Head
Temperate Sericulture Research Institute

Director Education
SKUAST-Kashmir, Shalimar, Srinagar
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Sher-e-Kashmir
University of Agricultural Sciences & Technology of Kashmir
Temperate Sericulture Research Institute, Mirgund, Baramulla

Name of the student : Khursheed Ahmad Dar
Registration No. : 2011-385-D
Major subject : Sericulture
Minor subjects : Fruit Science/Post Harvest Technology
Major advisor : Dr. K.A. Sahaf
Director,
Central Sericultural Research and Training
Institute, Pampore
Title of the Thesis : “Comparative study of mulberry leaf
quality and silkworm rearing performance
under different agro-climatic zones of
Kashmir and Ladakh”

ABSTRACT
The present investigations on “Comparative study of mulberry leaf quality
and silkworm rearing performance under different agro-climatic zones of Kashmir
and Ladakh” was carried out during 2012 and 2013. Analysis of physio-chemical
properties of soils collected from three different agro-climatic zones revealed that
they were alkaline in their reaction. Slightly higher pH (8.2) was recorded at
Kargil followed by Pattan (7.9) and Gurez (7.6). Electrical conductivity was
highest (0.23) at Pattan and least at Kargil (0.08). Pattan soils were richer in
organic carbon with an average value of 1.02. Varied results were obtained with
respect to available soil nitrogen, the highest being recorded at Pattan with an
average value of 372.8 kg ha-1. Pattan recorded maximum (22.45 kg ha-1) soil
available phosphorus while as available sulphur was recorded highest (53.40 kg
ha-1) at Kargil during both years of study. Among the three agro-climatic zones,
Pattan exhibited significantly higher soil potassium (187.30 kg ha-1),
exchangeable calcium (17.56 centi mole) and exchangeable magnesium (5.54
centi mole).
In terms of yield potential, Pattan recorded the maximum yield (4.5
kg)/plant besides the leaf was found to register maximum fresh weight (358 g),
moisture content (71.94%), moisture retention capacity (65.62%) as compared to
other agro-climatic zones.
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Leaf nutrient analysis of Goshoerami variety revealed that Kargil leaf
recorded maximum values for Zn (59 ppm), Mn (79 ppm), Cu (28 ppm) and
sulphur (0.38%), while as Gurez was found to be better in terms of iron content
(188 ppm). Pattan recorded higher content of nitrogen (2.65%), phosphorus
(0.17%), potassium (1.65%), magnesium (1.134%) and calcium (3.02%) as
compared to other two agro-climatic zones.
Though silk worm rearing was successful under all the three zones, pattan
showed comparatively better performance in terms of all the rearing parameters
like larval duration, larval weight, single cocoon weight, single shell weight, shell
ratio, cocoon yield by number, cocoon yield by weight, pupation rate, average
filament length, denier, raw silk percentage and renditta followed by Gurez and
Kargil.

Key words : Cocoon, Mulberry, NPK, Silkworm, Yield

Signature of Student Signature of Major Advisor

Dated : ___________ Dated: ________________

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ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

“In the name of Allah, the gracious, the beneficent and the merciful”
All praise to “Allah”, who bestowed me with health and courage to go through this crucial
juncture and contribute a drop to the noble ocean of knowledge. Millions of blessings and salutes
to the Prophet Mohammad (PBUH), the perfect and a treasure of knowledge.
W ith high reverence and great regards I feel deep sense of pleasure and
gratitude to the chairman of my advisory committee Dr. K.A. Sahaf,
Director, CSR & TI, Pampore for his illuminating generosity, inspiring
suggestions painstaking guidance, untiring encouragement during the entire
course of present investigation that brought this manuscript into present farm.
I must express my feeling of venerable gratitude and indebtness to Prof.
Afifa S. Kamili, Director, Extension Education, SKUAST-Kashmir, Shalimar
for her highly creative, inspiring enthusiastic guidance, wise, counselling
meticulous suggestions, enduring encouragement, constructive criticism. Her
generosity and diverse experience has made it possible for me to accomplish this
work.
I am extremely greatful to Dr. S.A. Mir, Head, Division of Agri-
Statistics, SKUAST-Kashmir, Shalimar (Dean PG Nominee) for his dexterous
guidance. His timely and valuable suggestions during advisory meets/sessions
have proved instrumental in generation of valuable information during the
research work.
I also owe gratitude to Dr. F.A. Banday, Professor & Head, Division of
Fruit Science, SKUAST-Kashmir and Dr. Javaid Ahmad Wani, Associate
Professor, Division of Soil Science, SKUAST-Kashmir for their useful help and
suggestions.
With immense regards I express my gratitude and sincere thanks to Prof.
M.A. Malik, Professor & Head, Temperate Sericulture Research Institute,
Mirgund for providing all possible facilities constant encouragement during the
entire period of study programme.
I also acknowledge with pleasure the help and guidance extended by Dr.
G.N. Malik; Dr. N.A. Ganaie; Dr. M.R. Mir; Dr. M.F. Baqual; Dr. S.A. Bhat;
Dr. Noor-u-din; Dr. Nighat; Dr. F.A. Kukiloo; Mr. Irfan Lateef Khan and
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Zaffar Iqbal Bahroo during the course of study and in completion of this
manuscript.
I feel pleasure to extend my sincere thanks to whole staff of Division of
Soil Science SKUAST-Kashmir and all staff of Temperate, Sericulture Research
Institute, SKUAST-Kashmir, Mirgund for creating atmosphere conducive for
successful completion of my studies.
During the entire completion of this manuscript I never felt short of
words as I felt now when I am wishing to write few words to appreciate and
express my thankfulness to my friends like Showed Aziz Wani, Adv. Hilal
Akbar Lone, Mohd. Ashraf Qureshi, Reyaz Ahmad Chopan, Aijaz Ahmad Bhat,
Tariq Ahmad Bhat, Fida Hussain Dar, Mohd. Ibrahim Dar, Javaid Shanoo,
Bilal Akbar Lone, Mr. Qayoom, Sammera Khan, Adv. Nasreena, Tabassum
Farooq, Tabassum Bashir etc. for their continuous help during my research
programme.
I also owe my gratitude to Dr. Malik Farooq (Director Sericulture
Development Department), Dr. Zaffar Mehdi (Incharge KVK Kargil) and other
staff members of KVK Kargil and employees of Sericulture Development
Department, district Bandipora for providing all possible facilities and
enthusing perennial interest in the subject during the entire period of study
programme.
The help and cooperation intended by the staff of Central Library,
SKUAST-Kashmir, Shalimar and Library Staff of Temperate, Sericulture
Research Institute, SKUAST-Kashmir, Mirgund is duly acknowledge.
I shall be falling in my endeavour if I do not acknowledge the constant
support inspiration, encouragements and good wishes of my beloved parents,
brothers (Tariq Ahamd Dar and Hilal Ahmad Dar) and sisters (Safeena Saleem,
Nusrat Nabi, Farhat Nabi).
I am extremely grateful to news channels like ETV Urdu, DD Kashmir,
AIR, Programme like Butrat, Krishidarshan etc. and News papers like Greater
Kashmir, Kashmir Times, Rising Kashmir, Daily Excelsior, Tameel-i-Irshad,
Kashmir Uzma, Amroze Kashmir etc. for giving wide coverage and appreciation
even during conduct of research programme.
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