Impact of Independent and Sequential Feeding of Different Host Plants on Economic Traits of Eri Silkworm, Philosamia ricini Hutt

The study was undertaken to evaluate the morpho-economic triats of eri silkworm, Philosamia ricini Hutt by feeding different host plants leaves. Healthy leaves of Castor (Ricinus communis L), Tapioca (Manihot esculenta Crantz), Wild Castor (Jatropha curcas L), Barkesseru (Ailanthus excelsa Roxb) were used to conduct rearing. Independent trials as well as interchanging of food plants during rearing were undertaken. It is observed that, despite the fact that the castor leaves serve as chief feed for rearing of eri silkworms, the combination of castor and tapioca leaves could also be beneficially used for commercial rearing of eri silkworm. When the worms were reared by feeding the leaves of castor up to 3rd instar and interchanging with tapioca leaves during 4th and 5th instar resulted in better eri silk recovery. Hence, the present study recommends the sequential treatment namely, castor leaves alternating with tapioca leaves for commercial rearing of eri silk worm larvae

Effect of different doses of gamma radiation on growth parameters of Mulberry (Morus) variety Kosen

The present study was carried out to evaluate the effect of different doses of gamma radiations(1kR-10kR from co60)on different growth parameters of mulberry variety Kosen.Overall results revealed that a declined trend in all the growth parameters i.e. sprouting (83.66%-18.66%), rooting (77.96%-19.59%), height of the plant (105.00 cm-58.03 cm), number of the branches (7.73-4.23), intermodal distance (3.76 cm-3.94 cm), petiole length (2.89 cm-2.59 cm) and pollen fertility (77.93%-40.66%) were recorded and showed a deleterious effect. But the response of growth parameters against different doses showed variant behaviour in case of rooting as constant declined trend was not observed. Similarly fluctuating state has been found in other growth parameters also

Ethyl Methane Sulphonate induced morphological variations in mulberry (Morus) variety M5

Present investigation deal with the study of mutagenic effect of Ethyl Methane Sulphonate (EMS) on mulberry variety M5. The results revealed that at 0.4% EMS treatment, height of the plant and leaf area were considerably increased. Stem dichotomy, fusion of leaves, increase in thickness, change in texture of leaves and occurrence of albino and xantha were common in 0.3% EMS treated plants in M1 generation

Cytogenetical Studies in Two Tetraploid Mulberry Varieties (Moraceae)

Morus L. an economically important genus has more than 60 species distributed in both the Hemispheres. Chromosome number varies from 2n=28 to 2n=308 with ploidy level from x to 22x. In the present investigation two tetraploid mulberry varieties namely, Morus cathyana and M. macroura have been analyzed for detailed meiotic studies. Based on the chromosome configuration and other meiotic behaviour x = 14 has been considered as basic number of the genus. Meiosis was irregular. Various anomalies like univalents, bivalents, trivalents and quadrivalents are associated with nucleolus at diakinesis. Tetra, tri and bivalents in addition to univalents are noticed in metaphase I. Unequal separation of chromosomes are observed in anaphase I and II. Laggards and precocious movement of chromosomes at metaphase II and unoriented chromosomes at anaphase II have been observed

Studies on Morpho-Criteria and Karyotype Analysis in Two Mulberry Cultivars (morus Spp.)

Morpho-criteria and karyotype analysis of two mulberry verities, namely, Kollegal and Morus cathyana were selected. Morpho-criteria, stomatal frequency, somatic chromosome number, ploidy level, karyotype analysis, arm ratio and total haploid chromatin length were studied. Kollegal is diploid with 2n=28 and Morus cathyana is tetraploid with 2n=56. Somatic chromosome length ranges from 1.26 m to 3.22 m where as arm ratio ranges from 0.62 to 0.97 m. Stomatal frequency is lesser in diploid when compared to tetraploid variety. In both the varieties 3 to 4 types of chromosomes have been observed. Chromosomes are small sized with a narrow range of variation in length

Impact of Feeding Selected Mulberry Germplasm Varieties on Silkworm Bombyx Mori L.through Bioassay Techniques for Commercial Exploitation

A critical evaluation study comprising five mulberry varieties viz., S1708, MS5, C10, C6 and M5 was conducted for their leaf quality through silkworm moulting and rearing using crossbreed (PMxNB4D2) silkworms. Results revealed that, in moulting tests, silkworm larvae reared on S1708 mulberry leaves recorded highest larval weight (25.03mg) and moulting ratio (84.96%) and lowest larval weight (17.04mg) and moulting ratio (71.06%) recorded in silkworms reared on C6 leaves during II moult. Silkworms reared on S1708 leaves recorded highest larval weight (39.08mg), cocoon weight (1.90g), shell weight (0.41g), shell percentage (21.66%), filament length (957.57mts), reelability (86.88%), renditta (6.06), denier (2.08) and E.R.R (88.31%), whereas lower larval weight (26.20g), cocoon weight (1.30g), shell weight (0.19g), shell percentage (16.18%), filament length (722.60mts), reelability (56.12%), renditta (8.30), denier (2.62) and E.R.R (78.86%) were observed in C6 mulberry leaves. It is clear from the results that, mulberry variety S1708 turns out to be superior in bioassay tests compared to other varieties studied

Gamma Ray Induced Meiotic Abnormalities in S13 Mulberry

S13is a drought tolerant mulberry variety cultivated under rainfed condition. In order to increase the leaf yield and toimprove the quality the hard wood stem cuttings of this taxon were irradiated with Gamma-rays (4kR, 5kR, 6kR, 7kR,8kR, 9kR and 10kR). Comparable controls were also maintained. It is observed that the lower dosages of gamma-rays i.e.,4kR and 5kR were less effective in inducing variability. At higher dosages viz., 8kR, 9kR and 10kR deformity and inhibition of growth leading to semi lethality to complete lethality was observed. Like delayed sprouting, poor rooting,weathering of inflorescence, stunted growth, plants with weak and feeble branches, plants bearing small leaves withwrinkled and coriacious texture were observed. On the other hand, the moderate dosage like 6kR was found to be fruitful in the induction of beneficial variability in S13 mulberry variety. Some of these variants also displayed cytological abnormalities such as anaphase -I with laggard, precocious movement of chromosomes, univalents and bivalents atmetaphase-I, disturbed prophase-II and metaphase-II

Induction of Useful Mutation in Mulberry (Morus) Variety S54 by Gamma Irradiation in M1 Generation

Aims: Plentiful mulberry varieties available in nature, they lack one or the other important economic trait required for silkworm Bombyx mori L. as food. Efforts have been made to induce phytomorphological variability in mulberry variety S54 using gamma rays. Experimental Design: RBD Method with three replications/treatment was followed. Place and Duration of Study: Mulberry garden, Department of Sericulture, Jnana Bharathi, Bangalore University and Mist chamber, Indian Institute of Horticultural Research (IIHR), Bangalore, Karnataka, India between 2006-2011. Methodology: Gamma ray (1kR-10Kr) was used to induce variability in juvenile twigs of mulberry for various agro-botanical characters viz., sprouting, rooting, internodal distance, leaf area, plant height etc. and leaves were subjected to biochemical analysis. Results: Mulberry variety S54 showed linear decrease in growth parameters with the increased gamma ray dosage and plants exhibited variability with increased rooting (81.33%), plant height (147.86cm) and leaf area (146.22cm2) when compared to control in M1 generation at 7kR. Mutants showing favourable characters were grown for M2 generation which exhibited marked improvement in growth and yield parameters. Biochemical constituents in S54 mutant leaves recorded at 7kR showed increased proteins, carbohydrate, chlorophyll a and b. Conclusion: Mulberry cuttings irradiated with gamma ray (7kR) exhibited favourable traits in rooting, plant height and leaf area over the control in M1 generation and mutants were grown for M2 generation and marked improvement in growth, yield and bio-chemical parameters were observe

Screening of Selected Mulberry (Morus) Germplasm Varieties Through Propagation Parameters.

Nine mulberry varieties along with one check variety M5 were field tested at Bethamangala village of Kolar district, Karnataka. These mulberry varieties were evaluated for the propagation parameters, like sprouting, survival, shoot growth and rooting behaviour. Results showed that, sprouting percentage was above 95% inTR8, TR12 and S1708 mulberry varieties, while survival rate was as high as 93% in S1708. Mulberry variety S1708 recorded highest shoot length of 62.63cm and shorter shoot length was recorded in C6(35.55cm). Mulberry varieties studied exhibited considerable variations in fresh shoot and dry shoot weight. Among the mulberry varieties studied, Matigara black showed the longest root length (25.99cm) followed by TR12 (23.57cm) and TR8 (21.98cm). Numbers of roots / sapling were recorded more in Matigara black (42) and less in TR8 (14). Root volume was significantly high in Matigara black (16.27ml) and Tr20 (14.21ml) when compared to other varieties. Overall the mulberry variety S1708 showed better results in many propagation characters followed by TR8 and TR20 mulberry varieties. Key Words: Growth, mulberry germplasm; sprouting; survival; rooting; root length, root volume

Comparative Micro-Morphology and Reproductive Studies in Three Mulberry Varieties (Moraceae)

Three evolved mulberry verities, viz., RFS175, S41 and Morus cathyana were selected for the micro morphology and reproductive studies. Height, internodal distance, colour of leaves, stem, stomatal frequency, length and number of inflorescence and pollen fertility were studied for these three varieties. Mulberry varieties studied exhibited considerable variations in height, internodal distance, leaf texture, stomatal frequency and pollen stain ability. Stomatal frequency and pollen stain ability was higher in diploids when compared to triploid and tetraploid variety. Tetraploid showed reduction in height, number of branches and internodal distance followed by diploid and triploid varieties