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REGIONAL SERICULTURAL RESEARCH STATION

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Central Silk Board, Govt. of India, Kodathi, Bangalore 560 035

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Co-sponsored by: SMOI, Canara Bank, NABARD & Ministry of Water Resource

National Seminar on

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SOIL HEALTH AND WATER MANAGEMENT

FOR SUSTAINABLE SERICULTURE
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27tt1 and 28111 September 2006

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LEAD PAPERS

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REGIONAL SERICULTURAL RESEARCH STATION

(A unit of CSR &. TI, Mysore)
Central Silk Board, Govt. of India, Kodathi, Bangalore

NASSIf AME Foundation & AEE Foundation, Bangalore

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Orga1lizi1lK Comflliftee:

Dr.ll.Basker, lAS, CEO & Member Secre/w:v, CSB, Banga/ore

Prof.R.Dwarakinath , Form er Vc., VAS, Bal1ga/ore
Prof.S.Jayaraj , Former Vc. , TNA U. Coimba/ore
Prof.M.Mahadcvappa, Form er VC .. UAS, DhQlwad
Prof.G. K.Vecresh , Fonn er Vc., VAS, Banga /ore
Dr.C.S.Ramasesha, CommissioIJel~, MillistIY uI Water Resollrces, New De/hi
Prof.K.Shivashallkar, Professor (Re/d.), UAS, Banga/ore
Dr.R.K.Datta , Direc/or (Re/d.),CSB, Mysore
Dr.B.Saratcbandra, Direc/or(Tech), CSB, Bang%re
Dr.S.B.Dandin, Direc/or, CSR& Tl, Mysore
Dr. T.M.Vecraiab, JD, RSRS. (Orgalli:::illg Secretary), Ballga/ore

Co-sponsored by:

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MINISTRY OF
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NATIONAL BANK FOR

AGRlCULTURE AND RURAL
NABARD DEVELOPMENT

SILK MARK
ORGANISATION OF INDIA

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Published by:

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Dr. T.M.Veeraiah,
Orgallizillg Secre ta ry a/ld Joint Direc/or, RSRS, Ballga/ure

Scientific/Editorial Committee:
Prof. S Jayaraj , Former Vc., TNA U
Dr. T.M.Veeraiah, JD
Mr. Jaisbankar, DD
Mr. J> Jayarama Raju , SRO
Mr. N ..Jagadecs.
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SESSION I : SOIL HEALTH MANAGEMENT
Lead Paper 1

Page 1- 36

SOIL HEALTH MANAGEMENT FOR SUSTAINABLE SERICULTURE

laya raj. S . Dalldin. S. B .. Vccraiah . T M.. Qadri. S.M.H alld Krishlla Rao../. V

Lead Paper 2

ASSESSMENT O.F LAND RESOURCES FOR MULBERRY CULTIVATION

IN KRISHNAGIRl AND DIIARMAPURl D1STlUCTS OF TAMIL NADU
Vadil'e/u.S . Thayalall.S. . Rame.l'h. M alld Nafarajall. A

ORAL PRESENTATION
SHMlO-J

STUDIES ON IMPROVEMENT OF SOIL HEALTH AND MULBERRY ROOT

SYSTEM FOR SUSTAINABLE SERICULTURAL PRODUCTION
.Jayaraj.S.. Dalldill.S. B., Veeraiah. T. M.. Qadri. SMJ! alld Krishna Rao,J .V

SHM / O-2

CORRELATION STUDIES BETWEEN SOIL TEXTURE AND

DISTRIBUTION OF MULBERRY ROOTS IN DIFFERENT DEPTHS OFSOIL
IN S. INDIA
.Jayaraj.S.. Qadri. S. M. If .. Vecraiah . T M .. KrisllllaRao, .J. v.. Masilamalli.S ..
Srinivasa Rao, T VS , Rajadurai. S . Subramalliall . K and DUlldin,S.B

SHM/O-3

PHYSIC AL AND CHEMICAL PROPERTIES OF MULBERRY SOILS IN

TAMIL NADU: A CONSTRAINT ANALYSIS AND SUGGESTED
STRATEGIES
Qadri,S.M .H. layaraj.S., Samllfhirave/II.P.. MlIllltllakshmi,M .. Ral'iklll11ar. 1..
Masi/amalli.S . Dhahira Bccvi.N. Sh erief. H . Se/l'Grajll.N. . Thinlllavllkkara.l'II.T. Mary
Flora .CA .. Guha.A .. R emallfh/...1Jmar.AnilkllmarandDandin.S B

SHM/O-4

INFLUENCE OF SOIL MOISTURE STRESS ON THE WATER RELATION

AND GAS EXCHANGE TRAITS OF MULBERRY
Kodandaramaiah . 1., lhansi Lakshmi. K .. Sahitha . M .G and Mala V Rajall

SlIM! 0-5

INFLUENCE OF DlFFERENT MULCHES ON CHEMICALPROPERTlES OF

SOIL AND LEAF YIELD OF RAINFED M~ MULBERRY
Bhaskar; R.N. , Shasllidlwr. KR .. Challdrash ekar; S. Chillnaswamy. K.P. Andalligowda.
Radimani. D.K and Savitha, B. G

SliM! 0-6

MANAGEMENT OF ALKALINE SOILS OF MULBERIW CULTIVATION

UNDER RAINFED CONDITIONS OFCHAMARAJANAGAR (KARNATAKA)
THROUGH ORGANIC AMENDMENTS
Sundareswaran, P . Gunasekhar. V. Magadum.SB and Dandill. SB

SHM! 0-7

MANAGING SALINE AND ALKALINE SOILS TO UTILIZE WATER WASTE

USER LAND FOR DEVELOPMENT OF SEIUCULTURE
Rajat Mohan. Pratap Narayan. Kamallaiswa/. Chakrabarti. S and Khan. MA

SHM! 0-8

SOIL FERTILITY MANAGEMENT THROUGH ORGANIC FARMING

SYSTEMS
Singh, PK .. Chakrabarti. S and TomeI: SS

SHM/0-9

SUSTENANCE OF SOIL HEALTH THROUGH INTEGRATED

TECHNOLOGY PACKAGE IN MULBERRY CULTIVATION
Thippeswamy. T . Das. PK and Subbaswamy, M. R

SHMJ 0-10

STUDIES ON INFILTRATION AND MECHANICAL FRACTIONS OF SOIL

FOR IRRIGATION MANAGEMENT IN MULBERRY THROUGH INM
PRACTICES
Srinivasa Rao, T V.S., Rajeswara Rao. N.. La vClflyalatha. K. , Lakfhminarayana. B.,
Krishna Rao, 1. V. and Jayaraj, S

SHM/O-ll

STUDIES ON MECHANICAL FRACTIONS OF SOILS AND THEIR

INFLUENCE ON ROOTING OF MULBERRY IN SALEM AND
DHARMAPURI DISTRICTS OF TAMIL NADU
Masilamani, S, Jayaraj, S Dhahira Beevi, N. , Gulla,A., Qadri. SM.H. . and Dandin.
SB

SHM/O-12

ESTIMATES OF ORGANIC MATTERAND ITS ASSOCIATION WITH SOIL

PHYSICOCHEMICAL PARAMETERS AND ROOT GROWTH OF
MULBERRY
SMasi/amulli. SJay araj. SM.H.Qadri, N.Dhahira Bce l'i. Allirban Gllhu . and
SB.Dandin

SHM! 0-13

OBSERVATIONS ON SOIL MECHANICAL FRACTIONS, ROOT

DISTRIBUTION AND LEAClIING LOSS OF FERTILIZER NITROGEN IN
MULBERRY SOILS IN THENl AND DINDUGAL DISTRICTS, TAMIL NADU
Shy am Sundar. P . Jayaraj. S . Sh erief Y. H.. MaiJima Shanthi .. Qadri. SM.H.. Mani.
S.. Jam es Pi/ellai, G and Dandin . S. B

SHMJ 0-14

INFLUENCE OF CERTAIN PHYSICO-CHEMICAL PROPERTIES OF SOILS

ON MULBERRY ROOT DEVELOPMENT IN UDUMALPET AREA,
COIMBATORE DT., TAMILNADU
Se/vara}, N G. , Ani/f....unla'; T R .. Punilhavalhy. G. Qadri. SM.H and Jayaraj . S

SHM/O-IS

INTEGRATED APPROACH OF ORGANIC FARMING AND WATER

MANAGEMENT TO IMPROVE SOIL HEALTH IN MULBERRY GARDENS
Srinivasulu Reddy. P . Kisllore. S. Krishna Rao. 1. V and Dandin. S. B

SHM! 0-16

IMPROVEMENT OF SOIL FERTILITY THROUGH ORGANIC FARMING

FOR MULBERRY CULTIVATION AND SEED CROP REARING
Phi/omelia. KL. , Pratheesh Kumar. PM. . Jayappa, T and Kamble. CX

SUM! 0-17

PERCEPTION LEVELS OF SOIL HEALTH AMONG SEED FARMERS

Ramanjaneyulu, Y. v..Doddanarasaiah. Bhargava,SK. Kamble. CX.. Sindagi.S.S alld
Ish war

SHMJ 0-18

EFFECT OF DIFFERENT SOIL MULCHES ON MULBERRY LEAF YIELD

AND LEAF MOISTURE CONTENT
Jaiswal. K. Gael, R .. Kumar; Rand Gangwar; SK

SHM!0-19

STATUS OF SOIL HEALTH AND ITS MANAGEMENT PRACTICES FOR

RAlNFED SERICULTURE IN KORAPUT DlSTlUCT OF ORISSA
Dikshit, B.K . Pllrohit. K.M and Sarkar. A.

ii

SHM!0-20

INFLUENCE OF SOIL HEALTH AND WATER CONSERVATION

MANAGEMENT ON MULBERRY COCOON PRODUCTION UNDE R
RAINFED CONDITION OF OruSSA
Brallma, K C. Rao. K VS and Saxena. NN

POSTER PRESENTATION
SHM! P-I

SOIL MICRO FLORA OF IRRIGATED MULBERRY ECOSYSTEM IN

SIDLAGHATTA, KOLAR DISTRICT
Chinnaswamy. K.P.. Bhagvaraj. DJ, Fatima. S. Rashllli, K alld Jagadish, N

SliM! P-2

INFLUENCE OF SILKWORM EXCRETA AND OTHER ORGANIC

MANURES ON SOIL FERTILITY STATUS OF RAIN FED MULBERRY
Chinnaswamy, KP . Pasha . S.N alld Fatima , S

SIIMI P-3

CARBON I NITROGEN RATIO - A MAJOR INDICATOR OF SOIL HEALTH

IN SEED CROP MULBERRY GARDEN
Dufta, R.N. , Kamble, C.K alld Phi/om elia . KI.

SHM! P-4

INFLUENCE OF DIFFERENT MULCHES ON SOIL MOISTURE REGIME

AND LEAF MOISTURE CONTENT OF RAIN FED M, MULBERRY
BhaskCll; R.N.. Shashidhar. KR., Cha ndrashekar. S .. Mlirril1lza Khall. Gol'illdall. R.,
Sreerama. N alld SaI'illla. B. G

SHMI P-5

STUDIES ON SOIL MECHANICAL FRACTIONS AND ITS INFLUENCE ON

ROOT DISTRIBUTION PATTERN UNDER IRRIGATED MULBERRY
GARDENS OF EASTERN DRY ZONE OF KARNATAKA
Rajadllrai. S.. JahltankGl; "V'ecraialt. TM Harilwrarajll. A and Ja ya raj .S

SHMI P-6

OBSERVATIONS ON TilE EFFECT OF INM PRACTICES ON SOIL HEALTH,

MlJLBERRY ROOT SYSTEM AND MULBERRY AND COCOON YIELDS
Tltinmavllkkal"sll, T, MQly Flora, C.A .. GIIII(J, A .. .Iayaraj, S alld QlIdri.S.M.ff

SHMI r-7

ROLE OFHUMUSANDORGANIC MATTER FORMANAGEMENTOFSOlL

FERTILITY IN MULBERRY
Singh. PK, ChaA.Taharli, S alld TomeI; S.S

SHM/ P-8

STUDIES ON SOlL STRUCTURE AND MICRO-CLIMATE OF SJMILIPAL

FORESTS OF OIUSSA AND THEIR ROLE IN GENETIC DIVERSITIES OF
WILD MODAL ECORACE OF ANTHERAEA MYLITTA DR URY
Dikrhit B.K

SESSION II

RAIN WATER HARVESTING, CONSERVATION AND

EFFECTIVE UTILIZATION FOR FARM ACTIVITIES
Page 37 - 44

LEAD PAPER

MANAGEMENT OF WATER RESOURCES

DEVELOPMENT
Ramashesa, C. S

FOR SUSTAINABLE

ORAL PRESENTATION
RWH/O-l

RAINWATER HARVESTING-RSRS, KODATIIl MODEL FOR WATER

CONSERVATION IN MULBERRY CULTIVATION
Vecraia lt, T M .. Christiana S. T and SlIbrallflwnyalll . M.R
III

RWHlO-2

IMPACT OF UAS SERI SUVARNA TECHNOLOGY (TRENCHING,

BIOMASSING AND MULCHING) IN SOIL FERTILITY BUILDING AND
RAINWATER HARVESTING UNDER RAINFED MULBERRY
Chinnaswamy, K.P , Gajamma. GN , Arunkumar. YS., Seenappa. K and
Bhagyaraj. D.l

RWH/O-3

WATER USE STRATEGIES AND TECHNIQUES FOR SUSTAINED WATER

MANAGEMENT IN MULBERRY CULTIVATION
Ramo Kant and Chakrabarti. S

RWH/0-4

REPLENISHMENT OF GROUND WATER TABLE BY ARTIFICIAL

RECHARGE AND ITS IMPACT ON COCOON PRODUCTlVITY IN
DRY BELT OF KOLAR DISTRICT
Christiana S. T. . Veeraiah TM. Allgadi B.S alld Shivashankar. K

RWH/O-5

CONCEPT OF PRACTICING POLYTHENE SHEET - A RESCUE

TO
RAINWATER HARVEST FOR SEED CROP MULBERRY CULTIVATION
Dutla R.N. Kamble C.K and Jayappa.T

RWH/0-6

RESPONSE OF TASAR FOOD PLANT, TERMINALIA ARJUNA TO RAIN

WATER CONSERVATION MANAGEMENT
Shankar Rao K. v.. Mahobia GP and Saxena NN

RWB/O-7

WATER MANAGEMENT: SOME STRATEGIES FOR SUSTAINING

LIVELIHOOD IN SERICULTURE
Venkatesh Kumar R and More. NK.S

RWH/O-8

COMPARATIVE ECONOMIC ANALYSIS OF IRRIGATION METHODS FOn

SUSTAINABLE QUALITY MULBERRY LEAF PRODUCTION
Murthuza Khan. Somashckar H.. Ramalo'ishna Naika. Fatima S. and Bhaskar R. N

RWH/O-9

SPATIAL ANALYSIS OF MULTIPLE DATA FOR MAPPING OF GROUND

WATER POTENTIAL IN DROUGHT AFFECTED TlPTUR TALUK, TUMKUR
DISTRICT, KARNATAKA
HUlIse. TM., Md.Najeeb. K and K.Rajarajan

SESSION III: RECYCLING OF SERI-FARM RESIDUE FOR PROLIFIC

COMPOSTING
Page 45 - 65
LEAD PAPER

RECYCLING OF SERICULTURAL FARM RESIDUE FOR

SUSTAINABLE MULBERRY PRODUCTION
Dandin. S.B., Das, PK and Bhogesha. K

ORAL PRESENTATION
RSRlO-1
/
RSRJO-2
,I

iv

: PRODUCTION OF VERMICOMPOST IN INTEGRATED MULBERRY

CULTIVATION APPROACH
Veeraiah.
and Subrahmanyam, M.R

USE OF FORTIFIED VERMICOMPOST FOR IMPROVEMENT OF SOIL

HEALTH AND FERTILITY OF MULBERRY GARDEN
Bhogesha. K., Das. PK., Chowdary. NB and Vedavysa, K

RSRlO-3
/

VERMTCULTURE FOR SUSTAINABILITY OF SERICULTURAL INCOME

AND SOIL FERTILITY - A STUDY IN TilE SEMI ARID CONDITIONS OF
CHITTO OR DISTRICT IN ANDHRA PRADESH.

Daepa. p . Vallkala Reddy. V and Sujalhamma. P

RSRlO-4

COMMERCIAL PRODUCTION OF VERMI-COMPOST USING COW DUNG

AND FYM FROM A DAIRY FARM

Vellkalesh. GK. 0 .. Samulhirave/II. P and Qadri. SM.H

RSRlO-5

ROLE OF RECYCLED SEIU-FARM WASTE COMPOST ON GROWTH,

YIELD AND QUALITY OF MULBERRY UNDER RAINFED CONDITION
Selua. G C.. Balla/jee. N.D .. SenguPla . T alld Saralc/wlldra . B

RSRlO-6

COMPOSTlNG METHODOLOGY: A COMPARATIVE STUDY ON TilE

QUALITY AND ECONOMICS
Subl'ahll/allyalll. M. R.. AlI(llIlha Ruman . K. J ~. Sud/wkw ; P alld J'('eraiah. 7:M

RSRJO-7

COMPOSTING OF SERI-FARM RESIDUE BY USING DECOMPOSER

MICROBIAL CONSORTIUM

!!ell/allfhkIlIllCII: Rankllmar;.I.. Vijayaklllllat; R .. Ja.l'uraj. S. Ma.l'i/all/ani. S.. Qadri.

S.M.H .. Cholldmy. N.B ond Mlilliral/mam Redd\'
EFFECTIVE RECYCLING OF SILKWORM LITTER FOR GENERATION
OF BIOGAS AND NIITRIENT ENIUCHED COMPOST

RSIVO-8

8rilliv(l.\11 Ruu. T I'S .. Harihara R({jll. A.. Lal'Clllya /(lI/w. K.. C/wlldl'(Iseklwl'(J Reddy.
D .. Krishlla Rao . .J. V (lnd Iayal'oj. S
EN IU CHMENT OF SOIL THROUGH VERMICOMPOSTING

RSR/O-9

Shamd Pai
I'OSTER PRESENTATION
RSWP-1

WINDROW METHOD OF COMPOSTlNG - AN APPROPRIATE

TECHNOLOGY FOR LARGE SCALE FARMING SYSTEM

Vc(!raiah. T.M and S(lhrahmall)'GIIl.M.R

IMPACT OF USE OF VERMICOMPOST ON MULBERRY LEAF AND
COCOON YTELD IN CHAMARA.lANAGARAGROCLlMATIC CONDITIONS
IN KARNATAKA

RSRJP-2

GllrL/raj. RoO Magadlllll . S.B (Ind Dundin.S.B

RSR/P-3

RSRJP-4

'"
/'

RSRlP-5

/'
RSWP-6

RECYCLING
OF
SUU
ORGANIC
VERMICOMPOSTING IN SUBTROPICS

WASTE

THROUCH

II/y(l/. A.C.. Chukrobarli. S alld Rqjal Mohall

INTRODUCTION AND POPULARIZATION OF VERMICOMPOSTING
TECHNOLOGY IN TilE EASTERN GHAT TRIBAL AREAS OF ORISSA
Sa/lIl. RoO Brallllla, K.CoO Rao. K. J ~SoO Saxenu. N.N alld SUl'k(JJ: A
INFLUENCE OF VERMIWASH ON MULBERRY PROD UCTIVITY AND
SILKWORM REARING

Sudhakar. P , Subrahmanyam . M.R and Vceraiah .TM

QUANTIFICATION AND USE PATTERN OF SERI-FARM WASTE IN
IRRIGATED PRODUCTION SYSTEMS IN SIDLAGIIATTA - KOLAR
DISTRICT

Jagadish. NoO Chinnaswamy. K.P . Fatima. S ond Rashmi. K

RSRIP-7

ROLE OF TRANSITION PHASE IN RECYCLING OF SERICULTURE WASTE

Dutta, R.N., Kamble,

RSRlP-8

ex, Jayappa.

T and Philomena. K.L

A SAGA OF VERMICOMPOSTING IN MULBERRY GARDENS OF WEST

GODAVARI, ANDHRA PRADESH
Malakonda Reddy, B., Damodara Naidu.

RSRlP-9

w.. Anand, B. V.V and Sharma, V.L.N

UTILIZATION OF MUGA SILKWORM PUPAE FOR COMPOSTING

Geetishree Saikia

SESSION IV: INTEGRATED NUTRIENT, PEST AND FARMING SYSTEMS

MANAGEMENT IN SERICULTURE
Page 67-132
LEAD PAPER

: INTEGRATED NUTRIENT AND PEST MANAGEMENT FOR SUSTAINABLE

SERICULTURE
Jayaraj, S

ORAL PRESENTATION
INM/O-J

IMPACT OF SOIL TYPES IN RELATION TO COCOON PRODUCTIVITY

WITH SERICULTURISTS OF KATOL TALUKA UNDER RAIN FED
CONDITIONS
Kalantri. L.B .. Hajare, TN., .!adhal' A.D and Unda/e, l.P

INM10-2

IMPACT OF SOIL-TEST BASED FERTILIZER APPLICATION ON SOIL

HEALTH AND FOR QUALITY MULBERRY YIELDS
Vedavyasa,K., Subbaswamy,M. R .. Munirathnam Reddy,M alld Thippeswamy. T

INM/O-3

FERTI-DRIP IRRIGATION TO OPTIMIZE TilE FERTILIZER USE IN

MULBERRY
Shivakumar.H Rand Shivashankar.K

INMJO-4

EFFECT OF VARIOUS LEVELS OF PHOSPHORUS APPLICATION ON

UPTAKE OF PHOSPHORUS, QUALITY AND YIELD OF MULBERRY
MUllirathnam Reddy,M., Subbaswamy.M. R and Vedavyasa,K

INM/O-S

PERFORMANCE OF GREEN MANURE LEGUMES IN IRRIGATED

MULBERRY GARDEN
Jaishankar. Veeraiah, TM., Shanthala. Rand Jayaraj. S

INMJO-6

NITROGEN FIXING BACTERIA IN THE RHIZOSPHERE SOIL OF

MULBERRY GARDEN AS INFLUENCED BY APPLICATION OF ORGANIC
MANURES
Krishna Naik. L, Ramakrishna Naika, Narayana reddy, R alld Andani Gowda

INMJO-7

INFLUENCE OF BIOFERTILISERS ON GROWTH OF MULBERRY

Baqual, M. F and Das, P K

INMJO-8

EFFECT OF BlOiNOCULANTS AND ORGANIC MANURES ON SOIL

MICROFLORA AND FERTILITY STATUS OF SJ6 MULBERRY GARDEN
Murali. C. Sreeramulu, KR .. Narayanaswamy. TK, Shankar, M.A and Sreekantaiah. M

INMJO-9

EFFECT OF INTEGRATED NUTRIENT MANAGEMENT ON

RHIZOSPHERE MICRO FLORA AND SUSTAINED SOIL HEALTH AND
FERTILITY OF MULBERRY
Das, P K , Nandi, S , Katiyar. R.S and Bhogesha, K

------------------------------------------------------------------

---

INMIO-lO

INTEGRATED NUTRIENT MANAGEMENT IN MULBERRY

Prakash. H. R alld Shil'a.l'ilallkw: }\

INM/O-IJ

INTEGRATEDAPPROACll OF NUTRIENT MANAGEMENT IN MULBERHY

UNDER IRRIGATED CONDITION
Shi\' Nalh. Sudhakw: P. Chattcl,ice. S.. Ghosh. .IX.. Ghosh. A alld Sarkw; A

INMlO-12

MANAGEMENT OF MULBERIW UNDER LOW INPUT CONDITIONS TO

HASTEN SOILS HEALTH AND QUALITY LEAF PRODUCTION
Javaram . H. . Ur.l'. M.K.P . }\aliya!: R.S .. Bhugcsha. }\ alld Dundill. S.B

INMlO-13

ENRICHED PRESSMUD AS A SOURCE OF ORGANIC MANURE TO

SUSTAIN PRODUCTIVITY OF MlJLBERRY GROWN IN AN ALPHISOL IN
EASTERN DRY ZONE OF KARNATAKA
Sara/akllll/ari. Narayalla Reddy. R.. Ramukrisllllil N(IIka alld Alldalli GOll'cJa

INM/O-14

IMPACT OF INM PRACTICES ON SOIL HEALTH AND MULBERRY

LEAF AND COCOON PRODUCTIVITY
Sa/1lwhira\'chlP'. HClIlalllh KIII1IW; L.. Qadri.S. Ai. II and .Iayaroj. S

INM/O-lS

THE IMPACT OF INM-IPM ON SERICULTURAL I'RODU CTIVITY IN

DINDIGULAND THENI DISTRICTS, TAMIl, NADU
Sherie/ YI f. . Allilklllllar.TR .. Jayaraj. S alld Qildri. S.M.ff

INM/O- 16

COMBINATION OF LEISA PRACTICES

SER1CUL.:rURE
Ka/{illla lli. C.S and RGl ,illd"allath Redd)'

INM/O-17

EFFECT OF FOLIAR NUTlUENTS ON THE GROWTH, QUALITY AND

YIELD OF MULBERRY
ChikkaJwam.1'. B.K. . Paramallik. R. C . Gopilla/h. 5.M and Shil'ashallkm; !of

INM/O-18

INJ<-LVENCE OF DIFFERENT ORGANIC MANURES ON GROWTH AND

ROOTING OF M5 AND VI MULBERRY SAPLINGS
Ashoka ..!.. Malljllllalh Guwda. SlIdhakara.S.N alld Bhaskw; R.N

INM/O-J9

EFFECT OF N AND KlSO, FERTILIZATION ON S36 MULBERRY AND ITS

INFLUENCE ON DISEASE INCIDENCE AND SURVIVAL RATE OF
SILKWORM
Raje Gowda . Sha/1kQ/:M.A ., Narayanaswamy. TK and Hadil1lalli.D.K

INMJO-20

COMPARATIVE ECONOMICS OF SUSTAINABLE QUALITY MULBERRY

LEAF PRODUCTION UNDER VARIED SOURCES AND LEVELS Of
NITROGEN
Rapi KUfllw:A .. Shubha,K.. Mul1uzo Khan. BhaskOl; R,N. . Namyana.\wa/1l.l ~ IK

INM/O-21

GRAINAGE PARAMETERS OF SILKWORM AS INFLUENCED BY

FEEDING SCHEDULES OF MULBERRY LEAVES RAISED THROUGH
NITROGEN SUPPLEMENTATION
Sudll{Jkara,S.N.. Narayalla.nvamy. TK alld Ashoka, .I

INMlO-22

BIOASSAY RESPONSE OF SOME GOOD ROOTING MULBERRY

VARIETIES RAISED AS TREES UNDER RAINFED CONDITIONS IN
KASHMIR
Bahh, S.. Dal'Zi. GM alld Khall.M.A

FOR

S{]STAINABLE

V l1

INMlO-23

PROSPECTS OF ORGANIC FARMING AND SUSTAINABILITY IN

TROPICAL TASAR
Muhohia,GP, Shallkar Rao, K V and Suryanarayanu, N

INMlO-24

INTEGRATED PEST MANAGEMENT FOR SUSTAINABLE SERICULTURE

S Jayaraj

INMlO-2S

PROMOTION OF BIO-CONTROLAGENTS FOR MANAGEMENT OF UZI

FLY EXORISTA BOMBye/S (LOUIS)
ShekhGl;M.A ., Vinod Kumar, Salhyaprasad,K GIld Kariappa,B.K

INM/O-26

FILED EVALUATION OF IPM AGAINST LEAF ROLLER, D1APHANIA

PUIYERULENTALIS H. (LEPIDOPTERA: PYRALIDlAE)
Sathyaprasad.K., Shekhar. M .A .. Villod Kllmar alld Kariappa,B.K

INM/O-27

EFFECT OF CERTAIN MEDICINAL PLANT EXTRACTS IN THE CONTROL

OF MULBERRY MEALY BUGS
Govindaiah , M. C. Gayathri and Nagavelli, V

INM/O-28

IMPACT OF INTEGRATED PEST MANAGEMENT MODULES IN

MULBERRY CROP SYSTEM FOR SUSTAINABLE SERICULTURE
Rajadurai.S.. Veeraialt. TM. Narendra KlIl1wr,J.B .. llarihurarajll.A and Jayaraj, S

INMlO-29

EFFICACY OF CERTAIN BOTANICAL AND ORGANIC FORMULATIONS

IN CONTROLLING THE ROOT-ROT DISEASE IN MULBERRY
P Venkataramana , B Narasimha Murthy, Krishna Ran. J. V and Dalldill. S. B

INMlO-30

STUDIES ON IMPROVING FERTILIZER NITROGEN USE EFFICIENCY,

IRRIGATION WATER AND MANAGEMENT OF TUKRA
Rm'I'kllmar,J.. Henwll/hkllmal:L. . Vijayalwmar,R., MuthlilakslImi,M,, Samuthira\"'".l'. .
Jayaraj,s. Gild Qadri,SM.H

INM /O-31

SERICULTURE CENTRIC INTEGRATED FARMING - SOME ISSUES

Shh 'asliankar.K.. Ragltunatha,G alld Vellkata Rao, B. V

INM/O-32

INTEGRATED FARMING SYSTEMS MANAGEMENT FOR S\JSTAll'OABLE

SERJCULTURE- A CASE STUDY IN KOLAR DISTRICT
Veeraiah. TM .. Rajadllrai.S .. Ralllumo/lGllU Ra().? Harihararajll,A. alld ./ayal'(Jj. S

INM/O-33

SERICULTURE BASED FARMING SYSTEMS

BhaskGl:S . Shivashankar,K. Narayuna,Vlt'amy.KC alld Vrjayakrislllla.N

INM/O-34

USE OF SILKWORM LITTER AS CATTLE FEED IN DAIRY PRODUCTION

IN IRRIGATED SERl-ECOSYSTEM: STATUS AND ECONOMIC BENEFITS
.Iagudish. N.. Chillllaswumy. KP , Fa/illla. S, Rashmi,K and Gcctha D cvi,T

POSTER PRESENTATION
INM/P-l

EFFECT OF VARIOUS LEVELS OF SOIL POTASSIUM ON THE UPTAKE

OF PHOSPHORUS, QUALITY AND YIELD OF MULBERRY
SlIbba.nval7ly.M.R .. Vedavyasa.K.. Reddy.M.M alld DUlldill.SB

INMlP-2

IMPACT OF GREEN MANURING CROPS ON WEED SUPPRESSION AND

MULBERRY LEAF YIELD IMPROVEMENT FOR SUSTAINABLE
SERJCULTURE
Rajadllrai.S. , Veeraiah , TM.. Jaishallkar. Harihararajll.A and ./ayaraj.S

JNMlP-3

PERFORMANCE OF SUNNHEMP AND DAINCHA GREEN MANURE

COVER CROPS rN MULBERRY crWPPING SYSTEM
RavikllmGl:i.. Hefllanlhklllllar.L. . Vijayuku/11G/;R .. .Iayaraj.S Ilnd Qadri.SM.H

INM/I'-4

DAINCHA ROOT NODULE BORERS IN MULBERRY ECOSYSTEM IN

TAMILNADU: A FIRST REPORT
Anil Kumar. TR ., Sheriej YH ., laYll r(y.S alld Qadri.S.M.H

INMlP-S

IS DAINCHA (SESBANIA ACULEATA) A TRAP CROP FOR MULBERRY

ROOT-KNOT NEMATODE, MELOIDOGYNE I NCOGNITA?
Anilkllmar. T R, .fayaraj,S.. ShcriejYH. , Mahilll{l Shulllhi. Rajavel.D. S.. Kallllaiyan.N
and Qadri.SM.H

INM/P-6

TEPlJlWSIA PURPUREA, A HARDY GREEN MANURE SPECIES TO

- IMPROVE THE SOIL PHYSICAL PROPERTIES OF MULBERRY GARDENS
- A NEW REPORT
Ma.l'ilamani.S, Jayaraj.s. , Qadri.SM.H.. Allirban GlIlla and Dalldill.S.B

INM/P-7

MICRONUTRIENT SUPPLEMENT TO SEED C ROP MULBERRY

CULTIVATION
DLllla.R.N .. Jayafifia.T . R(~ial1/1(J,K.L..Kamble , C.K., PrahhakG/;C.J Cl nd Malljllla.A

INM/P-8

CONTRIBUTORY FACTORS TO SUSTA1N SEED CROP MULBERRY

CULTIVATION
Dllua.R.N, Kamble ,C.K al/d .layappa. T

JNMlP-9

IMPACT OF INTEGRATED TECHNOLOGY PACKAGE ON MULBERRY

LEAF AND COCOON PRODUCTIVITY rN ANEKAL nrVOLITNE SEED
AREA
layarama Raju. P. Jagadeesh. N, Dayal/ada alld Veeraiah . TM

INM/P-IO

STUDIES ON INTEGRATED NUTRIENT MANAGEMENT IN RAINFED

MULBERRY AT FARMERS' LEVEL IN THE EASTERNGHAT IIIGHLAND
ZONE OF KORAPUT DISTRICT IN ORISSA
PlIrohil.K.M.. Dash,B .D. , Brahma,K. C al/d Saxell a,N N

INMIP-ll

INTEGRATED NUTRIENT SUPPLY FOR SUSTAJNABLE MULBERRY LEAF

PRODUCTION IN ALKALINE SOILS OF ANDHRA PRADESH
Srini 1'{lsa R ao, T VS .. Venllgopal.A., Lavallyalalha.K., Harihara Rajll .A ..
Lahhminarayal1a.B., Krishna Rao.}, V alld .laya raj.S

JNMlP-12

IMPROVEMENT OF SOIL FERTILITY IN MULBERRY CULTIVATION BY

INTEGRATED NUTRIENT MANAGEMENT
Shivashankar. NS., Veeraiah . TM.. laishankar and Jayaraj.S

INMlP-13

IMPACT OF ECO-FRIENDLY FARMING ON QUALITY M ULBERRY AND

COCOON PRODUCTION
Allantha Raman ,K. V, Shalllhala,R and Veeraia h, TM

INMJP-14

STUDIES ON THE UPTAKE OF SOIL NUTRIENTS THROUGH DIFFERENT

METHODS OF PLANTING MULBERRY
Hemanthkumar,L., Ravikumar,J., Vijaya/..."'Umar.R. , .Iayaraj.S alld Qadri,SM.H

'1(

INMlP-lS

COMPARATIVE STUDIES ON NITROGEN-FIXING BACTERIA

AZOSI'IRILLUM AND AZOTOBACTER ON MULBERRY LEAF
PRODUCTION
Hemanthll.1lnJar.L., Ral'ikumar.J. , Vljayal.:1IfIlar.R. , Mlllhlllakshmi,M. , Samlltlliravelll,P .
./ayaraj.S alld Qadri, SM.H

INM/P-16

ORGANIC MANURING FOR SUSTAINING MULBERRY LEAF

PRODUCTION IN THE EASTERN DRY ZONE OF KARNATAKA
Saralakumari, Narayana Reddy, R., Ramakrishlla Naika alld Alldalli Gowda

INMlP-17

EFFECT OF INTEGRATED NUTRIENT MANAGEMENT ON QUALITY AND

PRODUCTIVITY OF MULBERRY
Vljaya Naidll. B., Reddy,M.P, Rau. D.M.R .. Reddy, D.C alld Krishlla Rau . ./. V

INMlP-18

IMPACT OF INM-IPM MODULE AND SERICULTURE TECHNOLOGIES

FOR IMPROVEMENT OF MULBERRY LEAF AND COCOON YIELDS FARMERS' PARTICIPATORY APPROACH
Kasi Reddy, B., SrinivasCi Rao, TVS .. Reddy.D.C and Krishlla Rao . .J. V

INMlP-19

IMPACT OF INTEGRATED NUTRIENT MANAGEMENT ON SOIL HEALTH

RClvikllmcJ/; J. , fJenwnlhklllllw:L. , Vijayakufllm: R.. Ja)'Clraj.Sol/d Qadri. S.M.H

INMlP-20

IMPACT OF INM-IPM MODULE ON MULBERRY ECO-SYSTEM AND

COCOON PRODUCTION
Ral'ikumar. J ., Hefllalllhkllmw:L. , Vijayaktill/(//; R., Jayaraj.S al/d Qadri. S.M.f1

INM/P-21

EFFECT OF PHOSPHORUS SOURCES AND SOLUBILIZING

MICROORGANISMS ON GROWTH AND YIELD OF MULBERRY
Raje GOIl'da. Shankar. M.A alld fJadimal/i. D.K

INMlP-22

STUDIES ON THE EFFECT OF CERTAIN COMMERCIAL FOLIAR SPRAYS

ON MULBERIW
Chikkaswamy. B. K

INMlP-23

EFECT OF FOLIAR SPRAY OF NAVARAS ON GROWT H AND LEAF

PRODUCTION OF MULBERRY
ChikkaswafllY, B. K

INM/P-24

EFFECT OFBIOINOCULANTS AND ORGANIC MANURES ON THE YIELD

AND QUALITY OF SI6 MULBERRY
Murali. C.. SrccrC//IlIIIIl. KR .. NaIVyalla.l'wall/Y, TK.. Shankal: MA C//ld Amal7lalha. N

INMlP-25

IMPACT OF ORGANICS, BIOINOCULANTS ON NITROGEN AND

PHOSPHORUS UPTAKE IN S3f1 MULBERRY GARDEN
Murali. C , SrccrQlllu/lI. K.R .. N(m~vallaswamy. T.K.. Shankar, MA alld AII/antallta. N

INMiP-26

I'ERFORMANCE OF LATE AGE SILKWORM REARING AS INFLUENCED

BY FEEDING SCHEDULES OF MULBERRY LEAF RAISED TlIROUGH
NITROGEN SUPPLEMENTATION
SlIdhakara. S N.. NarayanaswafllY, T K and Ashoka . .I

INMlP-27

IMPACT OF VAlUED SOURCES AND LEVELS OF NITROGEN ON SILK

COCOON PRODUCTION: AN ECONOMIC ANALYSIS
Rav; Klimat: A.. SIII/bha, K.. MlIrltt:a Kllall, Bhaskar. R.N.. NarayaIlGs\\Iamy. TK

INMlP-28

DISSEMINATION OF DRY LAND FARMING TECHNIQUES IN M ULBEIWY

THROUGH FARMER l'ARTICIPATORY PROGRAMME
Jayarall/, H., Srika ll t.l'lVamy, K" Bhof!,c.I'ha, K alld Naf!,araj, B

INMlP-29

EFFECT OF SOIL MOISTURE CONSERVATION TECHNIQUES AND

FERTILITY STATUS IN MULBERRY IMPROVEMENT UNDER RAINFED
CONDITION
SrikulltwwG/IIy. A'" Mala V Rajall and Vijaya prakasli

INM/P-30

USE OF LIQUID BI()FERTlLlZER FOR MULBERRY PRODUCTION AND

SUSTAINABLE SOIL HEALTH.
SlIkall/(/ !laha " Dus, PK., Kari.1'(//: R.S IIlId Reddl ', AUf

INM/P-31

IMPACT OF INM I IPM I IFSM PACKAGES IN INCREA S ING

PRODUCTIVITY AND SEIUCULTURE INCOME
Rllje~'\I'uru

INMlP-32

Rao .N., Roo, TI :s.s. Krislilla Rao.}.)' and .la.l'a/'(/j,S

FERTI-DRIP IRIUGATION IN MULBERRY WITII REFERENCE TO LEAF

YIELD AND COCOON I)RODUCTION
Shil'aklll/l(//:H.R alld S/tiI'ashallkm:K

INMlP-33

CHANGES IN SOIL PROPERTIES DUE TO TilE APPLICATION OF

DISTILLERY SPENTWASII IN AN IRRIGATED MULBERRY GARDEN
Madhu,we/holla,G. Srini!'u.\olll/wrhy.CA ., Bhoskl1l:S alld Narayallasl\'tllll_l',K.C

INM/P-34

YIELD AND QUALITY OF MULBERRY AS TNFLlJENCED BY TilE

APPLICATION OF DISTILLERY SPENTWASH
AfaJllIIsudlwllu. G Blwskw :S. Na/'ayallaslI'am)', j.,. C alld S/'illil'aslllII/lrrliy, Cll

INM/P-35

SILKWORM PRODUCTIVITY (PlJRE MYSORE) AS INFL UENCE D BY THE

APPLICATION OF DISTILLERY SPENTWASH
Afadhllsudhalla. G Bhaskw:S. Nara.l'alla,\\\'Uml ', K. C alld Srillil 'o.wlIIll11h.l', C.A

INM/P-36

INFLUENCE OF DIFFERENT I ,EVELS OFN AND K WITII Zn ON GRO\VTH

PARAMETERS OFV-I MULBERRYVARlETYAND COCOON YIELD
Sr(,l'rama.N., Narayolla.nI'G11I.1', TK., Allirlia Pcrel: , Sliasliidl/(II:K.R alld SI/(/lIk(//: A1.A

INMlP-37

TUKRA MEALY BUG (II1ACONELLICOCCUS IIIRS UTUS GREEN) OF

MULBERRY (M01WSAI.RA L.)-TACKI.lI'IGTHIWUGIl ECO- FlUE ' ()LY
STRATEGIES FOR SUSTAINABLE SERICULTURE
Nurc'lIc/ra K/IIllw:.I.B .. I'c:craiah , TAt alld )a.l'(1raj,S

INM/P-38

IMPACT OF INM-IPM PACKAGE ON PEST AND WEED ]\lANAGEMENT

AND MULBERRY LEAF YIELD IN lIDUMALPET AREA, COIMBATORE
DISTRICT
Selval'qj,N. G, Allilklllllal: T R .. . Pllllirhul'u/Ii.l'.G Qadl'i.S.U.H alld )a_1"lIraj,S

INM/P-39

EFFECT OF DIFFERENT NEEM FORMUI ,ATlONS AGAINST \\lASP MOTH

CATERPILLAR, AMATA PASSALIS
)Oi.l'IVO/,I\.., GallgwUt:

INM/ J>-40

s.1\. ..

K11I1I1I1:

Rand Goel. R

INTEGRATED PEST MANAGEMENT IN TWO ERI SILKWORM HOST

PLANTS IN SOUTH INDIA
Alllrurlwlll urtigall,D., SuhramalliClII. 1\.., Mali eshk/llll W; T, Dirt/I'ialll..l.. Sokllli\'(!/.N..
)ayaraj.s. and Qae/ri,S. M H
Xl

INM/P-4J

MANAGEMENT OF SOIL HEALTH AND PESTS OF A CHAWKI GARDEN

FOR REARING TASAR SILKWORM
Dikshil.B.K. . Mallrya.K.R GIld Khana.R.P

INM/P-42

ON SUITABILITY OF FODDER GRASSES AND FODDER LEGUMES FOR

SUSTAINABLE SERICULTURAL FARMING SYSTEM
Rajadr~rai,S.,

INM/P-43

Ramamohana Rao,P. Veeraialr. TM alld Jayaraj,S

INTEGRATED FARMING SYSTEM MANAGEMENT IN SERICULTURE

FOR ADDITIONAL INCOME
Hemanthkumar;L., Ravikumar; J., Vljayakumar.R. , Mulfwiakshmi,M. , Samtllhiravelu,P. .
Jayaraj, S. and Qadri, S.M.H

INM/P-44

REARING PERFORMANCE OF ERI SILKWoRM (PHILOSAMIA RlCINI

HUTT,) [N BLACK SOILS OF VIDARBIIA - A NEWLY EXPLORED AREA
IN MAHARASHTRA.

Jadhav, A.D. , Kalantri , L.B ., Hajare', T.N., Undale, J.P. and Sathe2,T. V

AUTHOR INDEX

LIST OF ORGANISING COMMITTEE

xii

SESSION I
SOIL HEALTH MANAGEMENT
Chairman

Dr. S. Vadivelu
Principal Scientist & Head
NBSS &LUP
Regional Centre, ICAR, Bangalore

Co-Chairpersons

Dr. U. D. Bongale
Divisional Chief,
KSSRDI, Bangalore
Dr. P. K. Das
Senior Research Officer
CSRTI, Mysore

Oral Session
SHM/O-l - SHM/O-20

Poster session
SHM/P-! - SHMIP-8

/ "1 {J.\trLlC t .\

Lead Paper 1
SOIL HEAL1H MANAGEMENT FOR SUSTAINABLE SERICULTURE
Jayaraj, S'., Dandin, S. B2., Yceraiah, T. M-'., Qadri, S.M.JP and Krishna Rao,J. Y~
'Sustainable Farm & Rural Development Centre, S. J.R. foundation, Chennai
2Central Serieultural Research & Training Institute, Mysore
JRegional Sericultural Research Station, Kodathi / Salem / Anantapur
Abstract
Soil is the basis for s ustainab le f~lrming, and it is often over-exploited and abused.
Mulberry is one of the few crops, which consumes very high quantities of chemical fertilizers ,
especia ll y nitrogcn, leading to marked reduction in crop productivity and quality, and also
environmental degradation. In many l1lulbelry soi l ' the organic carbon content is unimaginahly
very low and the co lon y-f'orming units (CFUs) of' beneficial microbes, particularly
actinomycetes, and beneficial micro-fauna are mostly destroyed. Hence, soil health care
management assumes very grcat significancc.
The urgent need for improving soils physical, chemical and hiological properties for
sustainable sericulture is emphasized. The nonmIl and problem soils under mulberry cultivation
are highlighted in (erms of' thcir productivity. The physical properties, hithcrto not studied
adequately, arc stressed with thc ohjective of'developing better mulberry root systcm so as to
enable the plant to take up thc moisture and nutrients from the sub-soil zone bctter. Water ancl
nutrien t use efficiellcy by the mulberry plant has to be considerably enhanced.

]. Introduction
Optima I util ization of natural resources such as soi I, water, biodiversity and atmosphere
is basic to promote sustainability in any I'amling activity. Improvement in soil chemical,
physical and biological properties is possible through organic fmming. and IntegTated Nutrient
Management (fNM) systcms in mulberry crop production, and not through chc::mical f'amling.
The important chemical properties arc the ll1acrol1utrients (N, P, K), secondary nutrient s (Ca,
S), micronutrients (Zn, Fe, Mn , etc .), pJ1, OC, etc. Soil chcmical properties are also influenced
by qual ity of irrigat ion water like plI , hardness, etc. F1 ul)rioc content is also alarm ing in
certa in areas.
Biological properties include thc below ground biodiversity especially beneficial
microorganisms (CFUs of bacteria, fungi and actinol11ycctcs) Azotobacter, Azospirillum, PSB,
VAM, Trichoclem1a, Pleurotus, etc.), and. oil fauna (microcrustacea, collel11ho la, earthwonns,
etc.) in the soil.

2. Soil Classification System

The following are the typcs of soils commonly met with:
i) Loose, deep well-drained soi ls
ii) Shallow so il s over rock
iii) lntennediate loamy soils

Naliollal Seminar

Oil

Sail /-/('01111 and Waler Managem elll for Suslainohlc Sel'icullurc

iv) lmpervious sub-soi ls

v) Soils with moisture retaining upper horizons
vi) Soils with wet lower hori.zons
vii) Organic rich soils (peat soils of varying type and origin)
3. Problem soils: Physical and chemical problems
An optimum physical and chemical environment of soils is essential for better growth of
plants, consequently for bettcr yields.

Based on these propcrties, the problem soils are identificd as below, which would limit
productivity and quality of mulberry:
i) Low soil fertility
ii) Slow penneable soils (Heavy clay 1 loam)
iii) Excessively pemlcable so ils (Sandy)
iv) Subsoil hardening
v) Surface crusting
vi) Shallow soils
vii) Salinc Soils
viii) Sodic Soils
ix) Saline - Sodic Soils
x) Acid Soils

4. Soil Physical Properties

Improvements in soil physical properties are measured in ten11S of bulk density, texturc
(mechanical fraction), aggregates or crumbs, pcrmeability to water and air, infiltration ratc.
water-holding capacity, wilting coefficient, hard pan, surfacc crusting, clcctric conductivity,
exchange of ions, etc.
4.1. Bulk density is weight of oven-dry soil 1 unit vo lume, and is the resultant of the
relationship bctween specific gravity and porosity of the soil. Specific gravity of most soil
particles is within the narrow limits of2.6-2.7. Hence, bulk density is closely correlated with
porosity, and, in tum, with thc infiltration capacity and degree of soil aeration . If a soi l has
0.2% of total N, it has no meaning unless the weight/unit volume of the soil in its natural state
is known.
4.2. Particle size analysis is to evaluate the soil texture
. Destruction or dispersion of soil aggregates into discrete units by chemical / mechanical
means and separation of particles according to size limits by sieving and sedimentation is
adopted. Nonnally, 30% hydrogen peroxide treatment till effervescence ceases is followed.
Soil aggregates are not readily dispersed, as the soil contains organic matter, iron oxides and
carbonate coating.
Extreme size range is seen in particle size analysis: Stones and rocks (> 0.25 m); pebbles
(0.5-2 cm), coarse sand (2-5 mm) to sub-micron clays 1 1m). Particles smaller than 2 mm
size are divided into: fine sand < 2 mm - 50 1m; silt < 50 - 2 1m; and clay < 21m.

A!>.\rr(/ c /,\

4.3. Soil texture is decided by the relative percent or coarse and fine soil particil:s.
Stones, gravel and sand provide physical supp0l1 to plants, and play only minor role in water
retention and plant nutrients. Fine soil made up of silt and clay particles 0.05 111m diameter),
on the other hand playa major ro le in water holding capacity, soil aeration and supply or
available nutrients. The following is the classification of soi ls based on silt and clay percent,
and li ght loam is ideal for mulberry cu lti vation. The other types of soils have to be corrected.

SOIL CLASS

SILT & CLAY %

SAND

<7

LOAMY SAND

7-15

SANDY LOAM

16-25

LIGIJTLOAM

26-40

llEAVY LOAM

> 40

4.4. Porosity or soils is the ratio between vo lume of inter-spaces and volume of the solid
soil body. Pore volume nonnally varies from 30 to 70%. Coarse textured soils have less total
pore space becau e of the smaller surl~lce area of their particles. fine textured soils have
greater total pore space due \0 larger surface area of their particles. (cc. surface area of
ground nut and ragi seeds per litre) .

However, some compacted fine textured soi Is have lower amount of pore space than do
coarsc sandy soils . (cc. drip-line and un-irrigated line). Soils of low porosity resist thc
infiltration of water and penetration of root. (e.g., heavy clay soil) . Water content of such
soils will always be at field capacity in drip irrigati on system. It reduces soil air content
affecti ng growth of roots and plants.
% Pore Space

Specific Gravity of Soi l - Bulk Density x 100

Specific Gravity of So il

rf Specilic Gravity of Soil = 2.60 approximately, and

Bulk Density (BD) ::: 1.38 approximately,
the porosity of the soil

(2 .60 - 1.38) x 100

2.60

46 .9%.

The en-or will be less than 5%; for farner Participatory Research and comparative studies,
this method is quite adeq uate. More acc urate va lues can be obtained by pycnometric
determination of specific gravity of the soil sample, which would req uire costly equipments .
4.5. Water holding capacity (WIlC) ofsoils depends on soil tex ture, nature of mineral
colloids, content of soil organic matter, and structural characteri stics of the soil profile. Plants
growing in soils with low WHC are exposed to drought / moisture stress considerably. Plants
growing in soils of high WH C may sufTer from inadequate aeration causcd by water- logging.
WHC is detemlined after the saturated soi l is allowed to drain for 24 hr, whcn soil attains
' field capacity' .

National Seminar on Soil Health (lnd Water Management Jor Sustainable Sericulture

4.6. Field Capacity of surface soil layer can be determined directly in the field by
saturating the soil and analysing soil samples 24 br later. This should be done after a prolonged
rain-free period or after many days of previous irrigation.
Weight of drained 100 cc sample=
Wt. of oven-dry soil
=
Content of water (157-122 g)
:::
Field Capacity of the soil
=

157 g
122 g
35 g
35% by volume

4.7. Air Content of Soils

Weight of drained 100 cc sample =

157 g

=
=
=

122 g
35 g
35%

Weight of oven-dry soil

Content of water (157-122 g)
Field Capacity of the soil

4.8. Electrical Conductivity (EC),

is to determine concentration of salts. It is especially important in heavily fertilizer
applied soils (as in mulberry), which may accumulate salts in high quantities detrimental to
plants.
4.9. Exchange Properties of Soils: Clay and humus have ability to retain and exchange
ions in soils like those of AI, Ca, Mg, K, Na, and NH4; this ability of mineral and organic
colloids is termed "exchange capacity" of soils. Colloidal fraction acts as storehouse in which
nutrient ions are preserved and made available to plants, and are not readily leached.
"The magnitude of exchange capacity determines the soil fertility. It regulates rate of
application of fertilizers. On fine textured soils with high organic matter, possessing an
exchange capacity of about 20 m.e. per 100 g, it is possible to apply high doses of highly
concentrated, readily soluble fertilizers. But on sandy soils poor in humus, with a base exchange
capacity of about 5 m.e. per 100 g, it would be unwise to apply heavy doses".
4.10. Soil Aggregates: An aggregate is a group of primary soil particles that cohere to
each other more strongly than to other surrounding soil particles. The disintegrating forces
are: cultivation practices; erosion (wind and water); and wetting of soils. Dry aggregates and
wet aggregates are measured by sieving and sedimentation techniques. The dispersing action
ofNa+ on clay and organic matter reduces soil aggregation, permeability to air and water,
and root growth.
Large pores in soil fav-our high infiltration rates, good tilth, and adequate aeration for
plant growth. Abundance oflarge pores is seen immediately after cultivation. Their continued
existence in soil depends on stability of aggregates.
Erodibility of soils decreases as aggregate stability increases.
4.11. Slow permeable soils: Heavy clay I loam is se in many places. Low InfLltration
rates are due to high clay content of the soil The amount of water percolating into the soil is
reduced; leading to increased run-off, erosion of surface soil and nutrient loss. The high
4

Abstracts

capillary porosity as well as impeded drainage would increase some soil elements to the level
of toxicity to plants. Nutrient flXation (like P) in the clay complex is very common making
nutrients unavailable.

4.12. Measurement of Permeability of Soils to Water:

A steel cylinder of ] 00 sq. em cross-sectional area and about 25 em height is inserted
into soil to 10 em depth. 1 litre of water is poured into the cylinder and the time required for
the water to pass into the soil is recorded. In permeable soils the period of infiltration is < 2
min. and in compacted soils it may be > 1 hr. Data should be collected in large number of
replicates taken on the same day.
High permeability of surface layers leads to seepage loss of water and nutrients below
root zone. Low permeability might lead to high evaporation and run-offloss of both. Surface
soil crusting was noticed in certain parts of Andhra Pradesh and soil hardpan in many places
in S.lndia.

4.13. Management Qf Slow Permeable Soils

~
~
~
~
~

Provision of drainage facilities either through open or closed sub-surface drains.

FOIming contour & compartmental bunding to increase the infiltration rates of soils.
Application of huge quantities of river sand or red soil of coarser texture to reduce
heaviness of soil.
Application of liberal doses of organic manures like FYM, Compost, Green manure,
Compostcd coir pith, sewage waste, press mud, etc.
Adopting ridges & furrows, raised beds, and broad bed and furrow systems.

4.14. Excessively Permeable Soils

~

High amount of sand> 70%.

The soils are inert and unable to retain nutrients and water.
~ Devoid of finer particles and organic matter; the aggregates arc weakly formed .
~ The non-capillalY pores are dominating with very poor soil structure.
~ Fertilizer nutrients are lost in seepage / drainage water.
~ Compacting the field with tar drum filled with 400 kg of sand or stones 8-10 times at
optimum moisture.
~ Intercropping with green manure crops like sunnhemp, sesbania, daincha, horsegram,
Tephrosia, etc.
~

4.15. Sub-Soil Hardening / Hard Pan

~
~
~

Compaction of clay in the sub-soil horizon, coupled with cementing action of oxides
of Fe, Al and CaC03, which increases bulk density to more than 1.8 mega-gram / m-3.
Cultivation of crops using heavy implements up to certain depth constantly leads to
hard pan.
Higher exchangeable sodium content.

Na/ional Seminar on Soil Health and Wafer Managemenf for Susfainable SeriClllltlre

Lowered infiltration and percolation rates, nutrient movement and free air transport.
Prevents root proliferation and limits volume of soils available for nutrient uptake
resulting in depleted and less fertile surface soil.
The contribution of sub-soil fertility to crop growth is hampered.

4.16. Management of Soil Hard Pan

Ploughing the soil with chisel plough at 0.5 m interval cris-cross at 0.5 m depth once
in 3 years.
Application of organics to improve soil aggregation and structure to prevent further
movement of clay to the lower layers.
Deep ploughing of the field during summer season to open up the sub-soils.
Cultivating deep-rooted crops like redgram or Indigofera or Tephrosia so as to
encourage natural breaking of the hard pan.

4.17. Surface Crusting

Presence of colloidal oxides of Fe and AI in Alfisols (red soils)

Binds soil particles under wet regimes.
On drying, it forms a hard mass on the soil surface.

The following effects are seen:

a.
b.
c.
d.
e.
f.

Prevents seed germination (like intercrops/green manure cover crops)

Retards root growth.
Results in poor infiltration.
Accelerates surface run-off.
Creates poor aeration in the rhizosphere.
Affects nodule formation in leguminous crops.

4.18. Mana!!ement of Surface Crustin!!

Ploughing the field when soil moisture is optimum.

Lime application at 2 t / ha uniformly and ploughing for blending the amendment with
the surface soil.
FYM at lOt / ha or composted coir pith at 12.5 t / ha or other organic manure.
Scraping the surface soil by tooth harrow. (Penukunta Gorru model)
Resistant crops like cowpea can be grown.

4.19. Sba)Jow Soils

Presence of the parent rock immediately below the soil surface at about 15-20 cm
depth. (Common in Deccan Plateau)
Restricts the root elongation and spreading.
Exhaustion of the soil within 2-3 seasons.
Frequent renewal of soil fertility is a must.

Abstracl.l

5. Chemical Problems: Salt Affected Soils:

);>
);>
);>
);>

);>
);>
);>

Parent Material: Soils formed from rocks having high proportion of bases become
saline/sodic in nature (basalt, sand stone)
Low Rainfall : Insufticicnt to leach the bases from soil; accumulation of salts in soil.
More common in semi-arid and arid Deccan Plateau regions .
High Evaporation: More capillary movement of water from sub-surface to surface.
Water evaporates leaving the salt to accumulate on soil surface.
Poor Drainage: Water-logged salinity / sodicity in low lying areas in high clay soils .
Improper drainage leads to accumulation of salts on the surface and entry of sodium
in to clay complex.
Poor Quality Irrigation Waters : Continuous use of poor quality saline / sodie water for
cultivation accumu lates salts / sodium in the soils.
High Water Table : Alluvial plains & other areas due to improper drainage.
Base Forming Fertilizers (Ammonium chloride)

5.1. Saline Soils

High soluble salts affect adversely plant growth.
);> Salt level more than 4.0 dSm-l. Mostly chlorides and sulphates.
);> These are neutral salts and hence pH may not go above 8.5 .
);> Salinization: accumulation of soluble salts in the surface soil.
);>

5.2. Effects of Soil Salinity

);>
);>
);>
);>
);>
);>
);>

White encrustation on soil surface.

Alteration of osmotic potential of the soil solution.
Water intake and nutricnt uptake by plants is restricted .
Reduced microbial activity; slow decomposition of organic matter.
Impaired supply ofN and S.
Water from plant cells moves to soil, & hence plants are dehydrated .
Finally death of plants is secn.

5.3. Management of Saline Soils

Planting on sloppy ridges decreases accumulation of salts around root zone.
Mulching soil prevents evaporation, which reduces accumu lation of salts due to
capillary rise of water at the surface of soils.
);> Providing drainage reduces salt accumulation.

);>

);>

5.4. Sodic / Alkaline Soils

High proportion of sodium at exchange complex; usually more than 15%.
High proportion of carbonates & bicarbonates; hence the pH is always more than 8.5.
);> Precipitated CaC03 is present; insoluble in nature.
);> Dispersing action of Na+ on clay and organic matter reduces soil aggregation,
permeability to air & water, and root growth.
);>

);>

National Seminar on Soil Health and Water Managem ent for Suslainable Sericulture

5.5. Effect of oil Sodicity

};>
};>
};>
};>
};>
};>
};>
};>
};>
};>
};>

Carbonate, bicarbonate and OH (hydroxyl) ion injuries on plants.

High Na in clay becomes dispersed in clay under wet regimes.
Sodium carbonate with water releases Na+, HC03 & OH- ions, which are harmful to
growing plants in these soils:
2 Na+ + C02+ + H20 '! 2 Na+ + HC03- + OHDispersed nature of clay leads to soapy feeling of soils, stagnation of water, poor
infiltration / percolation, and poor aeration.
These soils become hard mass during dry periods. Soil Crusting
High pH is un-favourable for growth of soil microorganisms.;
Low microbial activity causes slow decomposition of organic matter.
Nutrient deficiency is caused, specifically Nand S.
High pH leads to non-availability of Fe and Zn to plants.
P availability is less due to conversion of P into insoluble calcium and magnesium
phosphates.

White Alkali: Soils with high amount of soluble salts having EC more than 4.0 dsm - I
and white encrustations are seen on the surface.
Brown alkali: Sodic soils with high proportion of nitrate salts.
Black alkali: Dispersed clay with decomposed organic mater (humus) give black colour.
Degraded Alkali: Surface horizon acidic and there is no precipitate CaC03 . However,
the sub-surface horizon may have pH more than 8.S. In the absence ofCaC03 and soluble
salts, the sodic clay with water degrades and hydrogen clay is formed in the surface.
5.6. Reclamation:
5.6.1. Physical
Improve physical condition of soil through improvement in infiltration and aeration .
};> Deep ploughing to break the hardpan developed due to Na and improving free
movement of water & soil aeration.
};> Providing drainage to improve aeration and to avoid further accumulation of salts at
root zone.
};> Sand filling of heavy clay soil; increase capillary action of water.
5.6.2. Biological
};>

};>
};>

FYM, compost, pressmud, green manures, oilcakes, etc. improve biological and
physical conditions of these soils.
Decomposition of organic matter releases organic acids, which mitigate the ill effects
of high pH of soils.
5.6.3. Chemical Reclamation
This aims at removal of sodium from exchange complex by introducing calcium.

Ahstracts

Materials
Gypsum (calcium sulphate), calcium chloride, calcium carbonate, etc. are used for
reclamation, which directly supply calcium. Among them gypsum is most commonly used .
To reduce one unit of pH, about one tonne of gypsum would be required. Ca and S are needed
for quality.
Reclamation of sodic soils requires good quality water to leach Na salts that are released
during reclamation process. In the absence of good quality water these soils can be managed
by following physical and biological methods.

6. Root Turnover
Root turnover is an important component of local and global carbon balance, and
measuring root development and turnover with soil depth is quitc vital. This has to bc related
to changing soil properties including nitrogen mineralization, soil moisture and temperature.
Root activity and positioning in the soil can be predicted based on resource use efficiency.
The barrier laycr that essentially stops the downward growth of plant roots may be rock,
sand, gravel, heavy clay, or a cemented layer (e.g. caliche).

To compensate for surface soil loss :

~

Incrcasing the organic matter content of an eroded soil, which often improves its
tillage characteristics, as well as its water and nutrient holding capacity.
~ Generous use of soil amendmcnts, organic materials and neecssary fertilizers can
help spced the conversion of poor quality subsoil into high quality lOp soil.
~ Tn sandy soil, organic material occupies some of the space between the sand grains,
thus binding these together and increasing watcr-holding capacity. In a finely textured
or clay soil, organic material on and around soil particles creates aggregates of the
fine soil particles, allowing water to move more rapidly around these larger particles .
~ This grouping of the soil particles into aggregates or peds makes soil mellow and
easier to work.

6.1. Soil properties & Root System

While there are species-specific rooting characteristics, significant innuences on rooting
habit are silvieultural and environmental, i.e. silvicultural practice and soil conditions. These
environmental constraints are classified into four groups :
(i) Mechanical resistance: high bulk density; layers of bedrock, excessively stony soils
Dr fine sands, iron pans and many clays that may become compacted.
(ii) Fertility: Infertilc soils produce root systems with long, poorly branched surface roots,
whereas fertile ones produce more vigorous well-branched roots that may descend
deeper into the soil. While roots are unable to actively grow towards a source of
nutrients, they will proliferate when in contact with areas that are especially rich in
nitrogen and phosphorus.
(iii)Aeration: When the oxygen falls below 10- 15 % in a soil, root growth is inhibitcd
9

National Seminar on Soli Health and Water Management for Sustainable Sericulture

and it stops completely at 3-5%. Such conditions occur when airspaces in the soil are
replaced by more soil (compaction), water or gases such as carbon dioxide, hydrogen
sulphide or methane.
(iv)Moisture: Waterlogged soils result in poor gas exchange which depletes the soil of
oxygen and leads to anaerobic conditions and subsequent root death. Soils with
permanently high water tables typically cause trees to develop very shallow, widespread
rooting systems.
Drought conditions also cause some trees to produce a shallow root system to maximise
rainfall interception near the soil surface. If there is a deeper subsurface supply of water,
roots may well exploit it, providing that the soil conditions are suitable at that depth for root
penetration and respiration. The mineral and organic composition of a soil will determine the
relative quantity of water that can be held within it. Soils with a large clay content are renowned
for their ability to shrink. and crack whereas the structure of free draining sands and gravels
will be comparatively unaffected by prolonged drying.
When water is removed from between soil particles by roots or a falling water table, a
vacuum is created. This may result in the shrinkage of some clay soils, but is usually associated
with an increase in the air content between the particles.
Such differences in particle size, air and water content play a significant role in
determining the soil's susceptibility to root penetration.
Soils with a moisture retaining clay content can reduce the need for roots to extend far
in search of water. Conversely, a loose, well drained soil may promote a more extensive and
potentially deeper root system.

6.2. Root Depth:

Typically between 90 and 99 % of a tree's total root length occurs in the upper 1 m of
soil. Soil properties are most variable vertically and thus have the greatest impact on rooting
depth.
The nutrients and moisture content influence the need for roots to descend to greater
depths, while physical properties and aeration may restrict the ability to grow deeper.

6.3. Lateral Root Spread:

During wind throw, many of a tree's lateral roots will snap. The diameter of the root
plate is therefore not a true measure of the total lateral spread. However, root studies in
forests and orchards involving excavations and soil coring have shown that the lateral growth
of some tree roots can extend well beyond the canopy perimeter.
That the maximum extent of the tree roots is reached before the canopy has completed
expanding, and thus the ratio of root may change as trees become older.
Asymmetrical root systems are not uncommon and may result from variations in the
soil environment or topographical features such as slopes.

10

Abstracts

7. Research on Soil Improvement and Developing Better Mulberry Root System

As a part of the CSB-supported Farmer Participatory INM - IPM and IFSM projects in
S. lndia, research on soil improvement and developing bettcr mulberry root system was initiatcd
in: eight directs in Tamil Nadu state, two districts in Kamataka, and one district in Andhra
Pradesh through three RSRSs and eight REC's in the three states.
Baseline data were collected on soil chemical properties (N .P.K. micro nutricnts, plI,
EC and OC) , physical properties (soil particle size and distribution, bulk density, soil
permeability to water, water holding capacity, cation exchange capacity, etc), and biological
properties (earthworms, millipedes, centipedes, colony forming uinits (CFU 's) of bacteria,
fungi and Actinomycetes.
On the basis of the preliminary data obtained on soi l and irrigation water, the following
constraints were noticed in varying degrees in diffcrent districts, where mulberry sericulture
is intensively adopted:
a.
b.
c.
d.
e.

Low fertility of the soil

Nutrient loss below the root system
Soil salinity
Soil alkalinity / sodicity
Impermeability of the soil to water
f. High permeability of the soil
g. Subsoil hard pan
h. Poor watcr stable soil aggregation

Brackish irrigation water

The mulberry leaves were looking more pale green due to the above soil and irrigation
water problems . The silkworm was not getting the maximum quantity of nutrients in spite of
the application of heavy doses of chemical fertili zers. It is quite possible to amend the soil
and provide favourable conditions for developing the root system, which is current very
shallow with a view to enhance the utilization of soil, water and nutrients to promote sustainable
production of quality mulberry leaves. It is expected that the batch size from \!nit area of
mulberry crop can be considerably increased without increasing the area under the crop. The
weight of the cocoons and shell would be considerably improved and similarly the silk
properties
The earlier literature was perused and it was observed that there was no study on
improving the soil productivity overcoming the above maladies to improve the mulberry
productivity and quality.
Studies made on similar horticultural crops indicate that pruning of fibrous surface
feeder roots at a particular length away from the base of the plant would enable the root
system to penetrate to some-death, though the pattern of root system is largely a speciesspecific
With the above objectives, a study was initiated in various districts in S. India with the
11

National Seminar on Soil Health and Water Management for Sustainable Sericulture

following treatments:
1. T J - Cutting trenches one foot away from the base of mulberry plant to a depth of one
foot and breadth of one foot, and filling the trench with the green leaves of Pongamia,
neem, subabul, rain tree, Morinda (Nuna), Ipomea, Cassia, Delonix alata
(Vadanarayanan), etc. (without sticks), farmyard manure or compost and covering
with thin layer of soil (2-3 ") and sprinkling cow dung slurry / pancha gavya and water.
Turning the compost after 3SAO days and sprinkling cow dung slurry / pancha gavya
and water. Irrigation on the trench for 6 months; Cutting trench on the other side of
mulberry row after six months and irrigation, so that sufficient aeration and nutrients
will be available to mulberry plants from both the sides.
2. T2 - Iron plough, 1 foot away from the mulberry row, two times to the depth of 8-9
inches. Sowing daincha seeds treated with Rhizobium in the available space as usual.
3. T J - Hand spade (90 degrees to the handle) to the depth of S to 6 inches. Sowing
daincha seeds treated with Rhizobium in the available space.
4. T4 - Shovel with flattened blade to the depth of S to 6 inches. Sowing daincha secds
treated with Rhizobium in the available space.
S. Ts - Crow bar with 4 inches breadth sharp blade on side to the depth of 8 inches.
Sowing daincha seeds treated with Rhizobium in the available space.
6. T6 - Biological methods - sowing red gram seeds one foot away from mulberry row
with a spacing of 1.S feet from seed to seed after treating with Rhizobium, Trichoderma
and Pseudomonas within 3-4 days after pruning and another row Hibiscus cannabinus
(pulichai or gongru) on foot away from the red gram row before the next row of the
mulberry. Allowing the plants to grow for 6-8 months and pulling out to disturb the
sub-soil to allow aeration and penetration of mulberry roots.
7. T7 Control (none of the above treatments - fanner 's practice).
NPK as usual in the first crop; Reduction in N fertilizer by 2S% in the remaining four
crops in the first year, and by SO% from second year onwards .

Observations to be recorded:
~

Mulberry shoot yield in S sq. m. micro-plots in S places in the 1 cent area of the plot
in each crop.
~ Improvement in soil physical, chemical and biological properties once a year.
~ Root penetration, spread, weight, length, volume, thickness, colour, incidence of root
knot or root rot, etc. once in alternate mulberry crop after pruning.
~ Mobility of nutrients to sub-soi1layers (6, 12 & 18") at monthly interval from the
second mulberry crop, and in ground water.
~ Weed suppression.
);;> Biodiversity of beneficial micro-fauna and flora once a year in different soil layers (6,
12&18").

12

Abslracls

Acknowledgement
The authors are grateful to the Chief Executive Officer & Member Secretary, Central
Silk Board for the help and support provided to initiate soil improvement research for
sustainable sericultural productivity in the country. We wish to thank our colleagues in the
CSB system and State Departments of Sericulture and farmers for their cooperation .

Selected References

Dandin, S.B . (2003). New Approaches for organic inputs for sustainable sericulture. Workshop on Organic Farming and Rainwater Harvesting/or Sustain able Sericulture. RSRS, Kodathi , Bangalore.
Jayaraj , S. (2003) . Organic fanning in mulberry sericulture: Non-chemical methods
of pest management. Workshop on Olganic Farming and Rainwater Harvesting/or Sustainable Sericulture. RSRS , Kodathi , Bangalorc.
Klute, A. (cd) (1986) Methods a/Soil A na~ys is. Part 1. Physical and Mineralogical
Methods.
Veeraiah, T. M (2003) Role of green manure crops for soil health and fertility.
Workshop on Organic Farming and Rainwater Harvesting/or Sustainable
Sericulture. RSRS , Kodathi, Bangalore.

13

Nafional Seminar on Soil Health and Wafer Management for SUSfainable Sericulturc

'Lead Paper 2
ASSESSMENT OF LAND RESOURCES FOR MULBERRY CULTIVATION IN
KRISBNAGIRI AND DHARMAPURI DISTRICTS OF TAMIL NADU
Vadivelu,S., Thayalan,S., Ram esh, M and Natarajan, A
National Bureau of Soil Survey and Land Use Planning, Regional Centre, Bangalore
Extended Summary
Sericulture is a labour intensive agro industry with huge potentials for expansion in our
country in the future. At present, India produces about 15 per cent of the raw silk from all the
four types of silk, namely mulberry, muga, tasar and eri. Among the sill varieties, only mulberry
is grown extensively, particularly in the southern states like Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh and
Tamil Nadu, which accounts for about 82 per cent of the total area in the country. Because of
the increasing domestic and global demand, the area under mulberry cultivation is increasing
steadily in the southern states and particularly in the southern districts of Karnataka and
adjoining areas in Tamil Nadu . Since Krishnagiri and Dharmapuri districts lie adjacent to the
mulberry belt of Karnataka and there is huge potential for Mulberry cultivation in these
areas, an assessment of the existing soil and other land resources of the two districts was
carried out to find out the suitability of the area for mulberry cultivation .
The National Bureau of Soil Survey and Land Use Planning, Regional Centre, Bangalore
is the repository of information pertaining to the land resources of all the southern states of
our country. For finding out the suitability ofKrishnagiri and Dharmapuri districts for mulberry
cultivation the land resource database generated during the period from 1987 to 1993 under
the Soil Resource Mapping work was used. The database along with soil maps of the two
districts at 1: 250000 scale provides information pertaining to the distribution of different
soils, site characteristics like slope, drainage etc., climatic parameters like rainfall, humidity
and sunshine hours, land use details and other particulars of the area.

To assess the suitability, the requirements of the mulberry crop is essential and the same
was collected and compiled from different sources. As per this, deep to very deep, fertile ,
well drained and well aerated, loamy to clayey soils with good water holding capacity is ideal
for the crop. Apart from this, good sunshine (9 to 13 hours), temperatures ranging from 20 to
30C and 65 to 80 per cent relative humidity favours the growth of this crop.
The suitability evaluation, carried out by adopting the FAO guidelines, showed that in
the entire Dharmapuri district only 6 per cent of the area is highly suitable for mulberry
cultivation without any soil or climatic limitations. Moderately suitable lands for the crop
occur in about 31 per cent of the area and marginally suitable lands occur in about 30 per cent
of the area. About 31 per cent of the land area in the district is found to be not suitable for
mulberry cultivation. In Krishnagiri district, about 11 per cent of the area is highly suitable,
44 per cent moderately suitable and 17 per cent marginally suitable for mulberry cultivation.
About 30 per cent of the area is found to be not suitable for this crop in Krishnagiri district.
Shallow depth, higher slope percent, severe erosion and low moisture storage are the major
soil limitations for growing mulberry in the districts of Dharmapuri and Krishnagiri.
14

Abstracts

SlIM/O-l
STUDIES ON lMPROVEMENT OF SOILHEALTR AND MULBERRY ROOT
SYSTEM FOR SUSTAINABLE SERICULTURALPRODUCTlON
Jayaraj.Sl., Dandin,S. B2., Vccraiah,T. M3., Qadri, S.M.H3 and Krishna Rao, J.V3
I Sustainable Farm and Rural Development Centre, S J R Foundation, Chennai
2Cenlral Sericultural Research & Training Institute, Mysore
JRegional Sericultural Research Station, Kodathi I Salcm I Anantapur
As a part of the CSB supported INM - IPM and IFSM projccts, research on soil
improvement and developing better mulberry root system was initiated in eight districts in
Tamil Nadu state through the RSRS, Salem and RECs, Bosur, Krishnagiri, Gobi, Udumalpet
and Samayanallur, two districts in Kamataka through the RSRS, Kodathi and RECs, Madivala
and Kanakapura, and one district in Andhra Pradesh through the RSRS, Anantapur and REC ,
Madakasira.
Baseline data on soil chemical properties (N , P, K, micronutrients, pH, EC and OC),
physical properties (soil particle size and distribution, bulk density, soil permeabi lity to water,
water holding capacity, cation exchange capacity, etc.) and biological properties (carthworms,
colony forming uinits (CFU 's) of bacteria, fungi and actinomycetes) wcre ob erved.
On the basis of the preliminary data obtained on soil and irrigation water, the following
constraints were noticed in varying degrees in different districts, where mulberry sericulture
is intensively adopted :
a.
b.
c.
d.
e.
f.
g.
h.

Low ferti lity of the soil

Nutrient loss below the root system
Soil salinity
Soil alkalinity I sodicity
Impermeability of the soil to water and air
High permeability of the soil
Subsoil hard pan
Brackish irrigatiol'l water

The mulberry leaves were looking more pale green due to the above soil and irrigation
water problems. The silkworm was obviously not getting the maximum quantity of nutrients
in spite of the app lication of heavy doses of chemical fertilizers, especially nitrogen . It is
quite possible to amend the soil and provide favourable conditions for developing the root
system, which is currently very shallow and duck-footed with a view to enhance the utilization
of soil, water and nutrients to promote sustainable production of quality mulberry leaves. It
is expected that the batch size from unit area of mulberry crop can be considerably increased
without increasing the area under the crop. The weight of the cocoons and shell would be
considerably improved and similarly the silk properties. The perusal of earli er literature
indicated that there was no study on improving the soil productivity overcoming the above
maladies to improve the mulberry productivity and quality. Studies made on similar
horticultural crops indicate that pruning of fibrous surface feeder roots at a particular length

... '"I:.~S I TY CF AGRICllL 'T l:RAL SCiENC[S

UNIVERS I1'Y l If R,6..? Y
GKV K. BANGALORE-SCO 065.

- ---

15

National Seminar on Soil Health and Water Management for Sustainable Sericulture

away from the base of the plant would enable the root system to penetrate to some depth,
though the pattern of root system is largely a species-specific character. With the above
objectives, a study was initiated in various districts in S. India with the following treatments:
Tl - Cutting trenches one foot away from the base of mulberry plant to a depth of one
foot and breadth of one foot, and filling the trench with the green leaves of Pong ami a, neem,
subabul, rain tree, Morinda tinctoria (Nuna), Ipomea carnea, Cassia unguistifolia ,DeIOf~ix
alala (Vadanarayanan), etc., (without sticks), farmyard manure and covering with thin layer
of soil (2-3") and sprinkling cow dung slurry or pancha gavya and water. Turning the compost
after 3S-40 days and sprinkling cow dung slurry / pancha gavya and water. irrigation on the
trench for 6 months; Cutting trench on the other side of mulberry r~w after six months and
irrigation, so that there will be sufficient soil aeration for roots and beneficial microbes, and
nutrients will be available to mulberry plants from both the sides.
T2 - Iron plough, one foot away from the mulberry row, two times to the depth of 8-9
inches. Sowing daincha (Sesbania aculeate) seeds treated with Rhizobium in the available
space as usual.
T3 - Hand spade (90 degrees to the handle & sharpened blade) to the depth of 5 to 6
inches. Sowing daincha seeds treated with Rhizobium in the available space.
T4 - Showel with flattened & sharpened blade to the depth of 5 to 6 inches . Sowing
daincha seeds treated with Rhizobium in the available space.
TS - Crow bar with 4 inches breadth sharp blade on side to the depth of 8 inches.
Sowing daincha seeds treated with Rhizobium in the available space.
T6 - Biological methods - sowing redgrarn / wild indigo (Tephrosia purpurea) seeds
one foot away from mulberry row with a spacing of 1.5 feet from seed to seed after treating
with Rhizobium, Trichoderma and Pseudomonas within 3-4 days after pruning and another
row of Hibiscus cannabinus (pulichai or gongru) one foot away from the redgram row before
the next row of the mulberry. Allowing the plants to grow for 6-8 months and pulling out to
disturb the sub-soil to allow soil aeration and penetration of mulberry roots.
T7 - Control (none of the above treatments - fanners' practice). NPK will be applied as
usual in the first crop. There will be reduction in N fertilizer by 25% in the remaining four
crops in the first year, and by 50% from second year onwards. Mulberry shoot yield in 5
sq.m. micro-plots in 5 places in the one cent area of the plot in each crop will be observed.
Improvement in soil physical, chemical and biological properties will be recorded once a
year, and root penetration, spread, weight, length, volume, thickness and colour, and incidence
of root knot or root rot, etc., once in alternate mulberry crop after pruning. The mobility of
nutrients to sub-soil layers (6, 12 & 18") will be observed at monthly interval from the second
mulberry crop, and in ground water. Besides, weed suppression and biodiversity of beneficial
micro-fauna and flora will be noted in every crop in different soil layers (6, 12 & 18").

16

Abstracts

SHM/O-2

CORRELATION STUDIES BETWEEN SOIL TEXTURE AND DISTRffiUTJON OF

MULBERRY ROOTS IN DIFFERENT DEPTHS OF SOIL IN SOUTH INDIA
Jayaraj,S I., Qadri, S.M.H 2., Veeraiah, T.M 3., KrishnaRao, J. V4., Masilamani, S2.,
Srinivasa Rao,T.V.S4., RajaDurai,SJ., Subramanian, KI and Dandin,S.Bs
24

I S.Jayaraj Research Foundation, Chennai

Regional Sericultural Research Stations, SalemlKodathiiAnanthapur
5 Central Sericultural Research & Training Institute, Mysore

As a part of Integrated Nutrient Management (lNM) research programmes, the soil of

mulberry gardens of 59 participating fanners (Tamil Nadu 39, Kamataka I I and Andhra
Pradesh 9) were studied with a view to improve the nutrient use efficiency in relation to the
root depth, root distribution and soil texture . In each holding, soil samples were collected at
0-3",3-6",6-12" and 0-12", as the roots were found restricted to less than one foot. The
mechanical fractions were analysed following standard procedures modified to suit the fanners
participatory programmes, and classified into two broad categories, viz., pebbles + coarse
sand + fine sand as one category, and silt + clay as another. The number of roots prevalent at
each depth was counted and classified on the basis of thickness as fibrous (less than 2.0 mm),
medium thick (2.0-8.0 mm) and thick roots (8.0-15 .0 mm) and there were only few roots
measuring more than 15 .0 mm thickness.
Simple correlations were worked out in all possible combinations among the collected
data at all depths. The results indicated significant and positive influence of silt + clay % on
the number of roots of different thickness in certain soil depths. Pebbles + sand fractions had
a trend of negative correlation, though non-significant, with the number of roots in all the
depths of soil. The implications of the observations are discussed in relation to the utilization
of soil moisture and nutrients by the mulberry plant.

SHM/O-3

PHYSICAL AND CHEMICAL PROPERTIES OF MULBERRY SOILS IN TAMIL

NADU: A CONSTRAINT ANALYSIS AND SUGGESTED STRATEGIES
Qadri, S.M.H., Jayaraj, S., Samuthiravclu, P., Muthulaksbmi, M., Ravikumar, J .,
Masilamani, S., Dhahira Becvi, N., Sherief, Y.H., Selvaraju, N., Thirunavukkarasu,
T., Mary Flora,C.A., Guha,A., Hemantbkumar, L., Anilkumar and Dandin,S.B 1
CSB fNM-IPM & IFSM Projects, RSRS, Salem; SJRF, Chennai;
ICSR & TI, Mysore
In view of intensification ofsericulture in several parts of Tamil Nadu, the use of chemical
fertilizers, pesticides and irrigation water has increased considerably, and at the same time
they affected the soil health very significantly. In the CSB supported Fanner Participatory
Research in 7 districts (Krishnagiri, Dharmapuri, Salem, Erode, Coimbatore, Theni and
Dindugal) in the state, JNM-IPM module is being validated in 90 fanners' holdings. The
chemical properties of all these soils were studied but the physical properties could be studied
17

National Seminar on Soil Health and Water Management lor Sustainable Sericulture

only in 47 fields. In all, 188 soil samples collected from four depths of soil, viz., 0-3", 3-6",
6-12" and 0-12" were analyzed for physical parameters viz., mechanical fraction and infiltration
rate, and related to the different kinds of roots prevalent in the different soil depths. The
predominant variety was V-l with paired row (5x3x2') system and of3-5 years age. The root
observation was made on one side of the plant without disturbing the soil core.
The most common soil problems observed are low fertility, high alkalinity, heavy clay
.with poor soil aeration, and sub-soil hard pan due to packing of pebbles with clay. These
problems restricted to the root growth and some amount of mortality of fibrous roots was
observed in the 0-3 inches surface soil where salts accumulated heavily. Raising of green
manuring cover crops opened up the hard pan to some extent allowmg the mulberry roots to
penetrate. In some mulberry gardens, the farmers were using iron ploughs once or twice a
year resulting in the pruning of lateral secondary roots and the formation of deeper tertiary
fibrous feeder roots. Thus, the sub-soil layer was made favourable for the feeder root
proli feration to enhance the uptake of moisture and nutrients. It is obvious that by this technique
the soil aeration was improved and conditions favourable for the microbial activity were
created in the sub-soil layers. The preliminary observations made on the growth of mulberry
plant indicate better shoot growth and with more green foliage. It would be possible to
increase the batch size per holding eventually and to increase the cocoon weight and SR %.
The studies are continued in the varied agro-climatic conditions of the seven major sericultural
districts in Tamil Nadu state.
The chemical analysis of soil revealed a pH range from 6.0-8.81 (Krishnagiri 6.36-8.25;
Dharmapuri 8.l5-8.73; Salem 8.1-8 .8; Erode 7.5-8.45 ; Coimbatore 7.5-8.76 ; Theni 7.898.81 and DindiguI6 .0-8 .21). The EC ranged from 0.12-3 .5 (Krishnagiri 0.14-1.0; Dharmapuri
0.2-1.2; Salem 0.15-0.6; Erode 0.28-0.95 ; Coimbatore 0.12-3 .5; Theni 0.18-0.56 and Dindigul
0.45-1 .3). The OC ranged from 0.18 to 1.3% (Krishnagiri 0.25-0 .52; Dharmapuri 0.28-0.85 ;
Salem 0.28-0.74; Erode 0.12-0.6; Coimbatore 0.18-0.54; Theni 0.29-0.8 and Dindigul 0.180.84) . The P content in the soil ranged from 4.5 to 61 kg/ac (Krishnagiri 12.2-61 ; Dharmapuri
12.5-50.2; Salem 21.8-52.7; Erode 12.9-48; Coimbatore 4.5-28.2; Theni 17.6-30 .7 and
Dindigul 14.4-36.5).
The irrigation water pH ranged from normal to high alkaline (7.1 to 8.57) (Krishnagiri
7.1-8.38; Dharmapuri 7.1-7.75 ; Salem 7.1-8.57; Coimbatore 7.12-7.78; Theni 7.44-8.23 and
Dindigul 6.93-7.87). The EC of the irrigation water ranged from 0.44 to 5.3 (Krishnagiri
0.44-1.0; Dharmapuri 1.1-3.8; Salem 1.0-4.4; Coimbatore 1.0-5.3; Theni 0.87-l.6 and Dindigul
1-4). The total hardness of the irrigation water ranged from 230 to 1760 ppm, and the SAP of
the irrigation water ranged from 1.6 to 38 .65 (Krishnagiri 4.2-9.3; Dharmapuri 1.6-7.2 1;
Salem 0.8-38.65; Coimbatore 3.7-23.2; Thelli 5.2-14.5 and Dindigul 5.7-20.35). The results
obtained are discussed in terms of sustainability of soil health and mulberry plant growth.

18

Abstracts

SHM/O-4
INFLUENCE OF SOIL MOISTURE STRES ON THE WATER RELATION AND
GAS EXCHANGE TRAITS OF MULBERRY
Kodandaramaiah, J., Jhansi Lakshmi, K., Sabitha, M.G and Mala V. Rajan
Central Sericultural Research and Training Institute, Mysore
Water availability is the most over-riding limitation for achieving potential crop
productivity as 50% of the country's mulbcrry area and 33% of Karnataka are under arid and
semi-arid conditions (Bechnamin et aI., 1997). Moisture stress is frequently the primary factor
limiting both production and quality of mulberry leaf consequently affecting the cocoon
production in sericulture. The problem is usually frcquent and intense undcr rainfed sericulture
cspecially in regions with limited precipitation and / or relatively high soil evaporation. It is
well documented that most of the physiological and biochemical processes associated with
crop growth and development are affected by water deficit. However, it is not yet fully clear
as (0 how these characters interact and cause reduction in leafyicld or why one variety yields
better under limited soil moisture than thc other. Furthcr, reports are scanty regarding the
identification of physiological characters influenced by soil moisture deficit in mulberry.
Efforts in this direction could substantially contribute for finding some solution to mitigate
drought either by improving the genotypes or by improved agronomic measures to cnhance
crop productivity and sustainability. Hence, the currcnt study examines the role of soi l moisture
stress on water relations and gas exchange traits for assessing the drought tolerance in mulberry
genotypes.
Eight popular and pipeline mulberry varieties with low, medium and high yield potentials,
viz., Mysore Local, MR-2, S-36, S-13, AR-l1, RCI, RC2 and V-l were established in RBD
in three replications under water stress and non-stress conditions and studied for three seasons.
Data on leaf yield, water relations and gas exchange parameters reflectcd a general decline in
morpho-physiological characters due to the inf1uence of soil moisture stress. Data indicated
that the mulberry varieties, which maintained highcr degree of leaf relative water content,
water potential, stomatal conductance and photosynthetic rate yielded better. Under water
stress, the relative water content ranged from 78.3 to 84.4% and water potcntial from - 2.5 to
- 3.8 Mpa among the genotypes studied. The stomatal conductance varied from 11 to 57
mmol2 sec I Among the gcnotypes studied, S-13 maintained high water relations and also
yield stability under soil moisture stress conditions indicating its drought tolerance whereas
S-36 was found to be drought sensitive.

19

National Seminar on Soil Health and Water Mallagemellt for Sustainable Sericulture

'SHM/O-5

INFLUENCE OF DIFFERENT MULCHES ON CHEMICAL PROPERTIES OF

SOn. AND LEAF YIELD OF RAINFED Ms MULBERRY
Bhaskar, R.N., Shashidbar, K.R', Chandrashekar, Sf, Chinnaswamy, K.PI
Andanigowda, Hadimani, D.KI and Savitha, B.G!
Sericulture College, VAS, Chintamani
I Department of Sericulture, VAS, Bangalore
A study was undertaken on the impact of different organic mulches on soil chemical
composition and their effect on leaf yield ofMs mulberry under rainfud condition. The results
indicated that soil pH, electrical conductivity and organic carbon content of oil recorded
significantly higher in silkworm bed waste (6.82 pH), Cassia sericea (0.32 dSm-' ) and sunhemp
mu lched plots (0.71 % OC), respectively over other treatments. However, the available nitrogen
content was highest in sunnhemp mulched plots (280.40 kg/ha) and phosphorus and potassium
contents were more in paddy straw mulched plots (38.36 and 218.29 kg/ha). The leaf yield
was maximum in paddy straw mulched plots (3800.34 kg/ha) followed by silkworm bed
waste (3674.83 kg/ha), sunnhemp (3651.16 kg/ha) and enriched coir pith mulched plots
(3470.60 kg/ha) compared to control plots (2946 .33 kg/ha).
SHM/O-6

MANAGEMENT OF ALKALINE SOn.S O}~ MULBERRY CULTIVATION UNDER

RAIN FED CONDITIONS OF CHAMARAJANAGAR (KARNATAKA) Ttm.OUGH
ORGANIC AMENDMENTS
Sundareswaran, P., Gunasekhar,V., Magadum,S.B. and Dandin, S.B!
Regional Sericultural Research Station, Chamarajanagar
I Central Sericultural Research & Training Institute, Mysore
Sericulture has a major role in economic upliftment of farmers in Karnataka. In
Chamarajanagar district about 7070 ha of mulberry is cultivated under rainfed conditions.
The average rainfall is less than 700 rom I annum, and the crop failures due to prolonged dry
spells is common. Majority of soils are red loamy I sandy and black loamy I sandy with pH
ranging from 7.5 to 9.5 with poor fertility. This leads to the frequent failure of silkworm
crops due to poor quali.ty leaf produced. Therefore, an attempt was made during 2004-06 to
manage the alkaline soils through the application of FYM @ 10 MT Iha/yr. (Tl), pressmud
@ 25 MT/halyr (T2) and cultivation and soil incorporation of diancha biomass @ 10 MT / ha
I yr (T3) and sUnnhemp biomass @ 10 MT I ha / yr (T4) in addition to recommended doses of
fertilizers 100:50:50 NPK kg /halyr (TO). The soil analysis for pH, Ee, organic carbon,
phosphorus and potash was done before and after completion of the experiment. The data
revealed that when compared to base line data in T4 treatment the pH and EC were reduced
by 0.19 and 0.14 ds I m, respectively. Negligible increase in phosphorus was recorded in Tl
and T2. Organic carbon and potash were increased in T3 and T2 treatments by 1.2% and
51.25 kg/ha, respectively. The maximum increase in leaf yield was recorded in T2 up to
20.72% Ihalyr over chemical fertilizers alone. Therefore, it is concluded that the application
20

Abstracts

of press mud, diancha and sunnhemp green manure mulching in addition to the recommended
doses of fertilizers will improve the soil properties and also increase the leaf yield under
rainfed conditions.
SIIM/O-7

MANAGING SALINE AND ALKALINE SOIL TO UTILIZE WATER WASTE

USAR LAND FOR DEVELOPMENT OF 8ERJCULTURE
Rajat Mohan, Pratap Narayan, Kamal Jaiswal, Chakrabarti, S and Khan, M.A
Regional Sericultural Research Station, Sahaspur, Dehradun-248 197
Salinization and alkalinization of the soil are serious impediments in obtaining higher
crop yields in sizeable land area of the country. According to an estimate more than 7 million
hectares of otherwise productive land of the country have virtually gone out of cultivation.
Country's most fertile belt in Punjab, Uttar Pradesh, Delhi and Bihar with an area of about
2.4 million hectares is affected with sodicity problem. In Uttar Pradesh 1.25 million ha of
area is salt affected.
The most widely recommended method to amend the soil had been application of gypsum
but large-scale reclamation involves huge expenditure, which is out of reach of many fanners.
Therefore, an effort was made in the premises ofBBAU, University, Lucknow (soil pH 9.510.0) to screen out few improved mulberry genotypes, which can be grown in sodic soil with
nomal recommended package of practices.
Few genotypes were found tolerant whi ch after few years of establishment slowly
improved the soil health and partially reclaimed the soil in the process of their establishment
and growth. AR-14 followed by AR-12 , S-1635 , BR-2, S-13, TR- IO, S-l and S- 146 were
found to establish well in a span of five years and the process lowered the pH of the soil from
9.5-10 .0 to 7.5-8 .0. The popularization of plantation of these varieties in sodic soil at farmers
level will improve the soil status and will also provide additional income to them through
rearing ofsilkwom1s. This breakthrough can convert large-scale waste land (u sar) into fertile
cultivable land.
SHMJO-8

SOIL FERTILITY MANAGEMENT THROUGil

ORGANIC FARMING SYSTEMS
Singh, P.K., Chakrabarti, S and Tomer, 8.S 1
Regional Sericultural Research Station, Sahaspur, Dehradun-248 197
1 Project Management Unit, Rural Development Department, Dehradun
The organic farming systems are guided by the philosophy "feed the soil to feed the
plant". The basic precept is implemented through a series of improved practices in mulberry
cultivation to increase soil organic matter, biological activity and nutrient availability. Over
time, adding organic materials such as green manure, crop residues and compost to cultivated
soils builds levels of soil organic matter. As soil organic matter increases, the ability of the

21

National Seminar on Soil Health and Water Management for Sustainable SericlIltllre

soil to supply nutrients to plants also increases. The ultimate goal is a healthy, fertile
biologically active soil with improved structure and enhanced nutrient availability.
Many soil amendments and organic production systems have appreciable amounts of
nutrients but only a portion of these nutrients is available to the plants. Organic fertility
programmes are designated to maintain adequate levels of nutrients in the soil nutrient pool
and augment the pool, as needed, management practices strive to optimize diverse biological
processes in the soil to create a complex environment that ensures adequate nutrition to the
plant. In this paper, different components of organic farming will be discussed elaborately.
HMlO-9
USTENANCE OF SOIL HEALTH TIIROUGH INTEGRATED TECHNOLOGY
PACKAGE IN MULBERRY CULTIVATION
Thippeswamy, T., Das, P.K and Subbaswamy, M. R
Central Sericultural Research and Training lnsitute, Mysore-570008
An experiment was conducted with an objective to sustain and improve the soil health
of mulberry garden (red loam alfisol) by adopting cost effective integrated technology package
(ITP). The initial pH, electrical conductivity, organic carbon, nitrogen, available phosphorus
and potash contents of soil were in the range of7 .9, 0.75 mmohs / cm, 0.41 %,0.022%,85 kg
/ ha and 400 kg / ha respectively. The integrated technology package was adopted by using
Azotobacter biofertilizer for nitrogen economy, phosphate solubilizing bacteria and VAmycorrhiza for phosphorus economy, green manuring and compost and vennicompost for
increasing soil organic carbon. Chemical fertilizer was applicd @ 50% of the recommended
dose. The study was conducted with V-l mulberry variety under irrigated condition for four
years (2002-2006).

The analyzed data of four years indicated that the population of bacteria , fungi ,
actinomycetes, Azotobacter and phosphate solubilizing bacteria in soils of lTP was higher as
compared to the control even after the application of reduced dose of chemical fertilizers
(50% of the recommended dose) and supplementing the same through various organic inputs.
Chemical properties of the soil also indicated an improvement in the major oil nutrients
including organic carbon. However, there was no much variation in the soil pH and electrical
conductivity. The study clearly indicated the sustenance of soil health, leaf yield and quality
through integrated technology package.

22

Abstrac ts

SHM/O-IO
STUDIES ON INFILTRATION AND MECHANICAL FRACTIONS OF SOIL FOR
IRRIGATION MANAGEMENT IN MULBEIUl.Y
THROUGH lNM PRACTICES
Srinivasa Rao, T.V.S., Rajeswara Rao, N., Lavanya'atba, K., Lakshminarayana, B.,
Krishna Rao, J.V. and Jayaraj, SI
Regional Sericultural Research Station, Anantapur - 515 00 I .
IS.Jayaraj Research foundation, Chennai - 600 042.
Land and water are indispensable resources for life system, of which water is the vital
component for sustainable agricultural development. Mulberry being a perennial crop requires
frequent supply of moisture through soil. Anantapur district has the poorest rainfall in the
country next to laisalmer district of Rajasthan. Ilence, judicious use of available ground
water through drip irrigation and conserving the soi l health through integrated nutrient
management (INM) is thc need of the hour. The present study was therefore taken up to finel
out the impact of adoption of INM on in sill! infiltration of soil and distribution of roots at
various depths at 3", 6", l' and 2' in irrigated nmows and at 3", 6" and at l ' in un irrigated
furrows . The observations were made in Madakasira (red sandy soils), Parigi (red sandy
loami black loamy soils) and Roddam mandai (red sandy loam/red loamy soils) in order to
arrive at the requirement of soil reclaimants (or better management of in'igation water by
conserving the soil moisture.
The study indicated that the mean water infiltration rate was slower in irrigated furrows
(7.88 min 111.25") and faster in unirrigated furrows (3.08 min17") of INM plots when compared
to control plots of irrigated (faster with 6.68 min/ l1 .25") and slower in unirrigatcd furrows
(3.79 minl7"). The mean numbers of roots distributed were 17 in irrigated furrows of INM
plots and 10.6 in control plots whereas in unilTigated hmows there were 11 in INM plots and
8.50 in contro l plots. The mechanical fraction studies made in the three mandals with regard
to the textural fraction (% by weight) of pebbles, sand, si It and clay in irrigated furrows and
un-irrigated furrows were recorded as follows: Madakasira mandaI soils had 31.20, 1.3 and
0.3 (INM - irrigated), 31.62, 2.01 and 0.48 (control - irrigated), 47 .16,3. 11 ,0.6 (INM
unirrigated) and 37.66, 3.79, 0.53 (Control - unilTigated) and in Parigi mandaI were 60. 18,
5.70, 0.74 (INM irrigated), 30.25, 1.05 and 0.3 15 (Control - irrigated), 63.73,5.11 and 0.67
(lNM unirrigated) and 37.83, 1.08 and 0.07 (Control - un irrigated) and in Roddam mandaI
were 54.42, 3. 17 and 0.57 (INM - irrigated), 26.75, 0.66 and 0.17 (Control - irrigated),
5 1.55,2.65 and 0.55 (TNM unirrigated) and 25 .83,1.04 and 0.28 (Control- unirrigated) . The
results indicated that the avcrage silt and elay percent was more in control (2.49 in irrigated
and 4.32 in unirrigated furrows) over treated plots (1.6 in irrigated and 3.71 in unirrigated
furrows) in Madakasira mandai might be due to the difference in the high content of sand
present in the treated plot compared to the control plots, whereas in Parigi mandai the sand
and silt contents were on higher side (6.44 in irrigated furrows and 5.79 in unirrigated furrows)
when compared with control plots (1.36 in irrigated and 1.15 in unirrigated furrows) . Similar
observations were recorded in Roddam mandai with 3.74 in irrigated and 3.2 in unirrigated

23

National Seminar on Soil Health and Wafer Management for Sustainable Sericulfure

furrows over control (0.83 in inigated and 1.32 in uninigated furrows). The study revealed
that adoption of INM package resulted in bringing desirable changes in the soil texture,
moisture retention and water holding capacity. It showed possibility for better management
of irrigation water and soil health in the semi-arid tracts of Anantapur district.

SHM/O-ll
STUDIES ON MECHANICAL FRACTIONS OF SOILS AND THEm INFLUENCE
ON ROOTING OF MULBERRY IN SALEM AND DHARMAPURI DISTRICTS OF
TAMILNADU
Masilamani, S., Jayaraj, SI, Dhahira Bcevi, N., Anirban Guha,
Qadri, S.M.H., aod Dandio, S.B2
Regional Sericultural Research Station, Salem
'Sustainable Farm & Rural Development Centre, S J R Foundation, Chennai
2Central Sericultural Research & Training Institute, Mysore
Soil physical properties are as important as chemical and biological properties in
enhancing water and nutrient holding capacity and in the proper development of root system
of the mulberry plant. A field study involving soil mechanical fraction analysis in relation to
rooting behaviour in mulberry (V 1 and MR2) was taken up under the CSB Fanner Participatory
Research project on INM-IPM in mulberry in 20 farmers' fields in Salem and Dharmapuri
districts. The soils were ranging from red sandy and sandy loam (alfisols) to black heavy
loam (vertisols) with poor soil aeration and high water logging properties. They were mostly
alkaline with low OC %. The irrigation water was also alkaline. A total of 80 soil samples
were collected from the above 20 fields at four depths of soil, viz., 0-3", 3-6", 6-12" and 0-12"
from a trench cut l' away from the plant with l' width and l' depth, and analyzed. Data on
number of roots present in each of four depths of soil were recorded and classified into thick
(primaries), medium thick (secondaries or laterals), and feeder or fibrous (tertiaries). While
the last category of roots is responsible for the uptake of moisture and nutrients from the soil,
the former ones are for anchorage of the root system and the plant.
The soil samples were separated into various categories but the data were pooled as (i)
pebbles + coarse sand + fine sand on the one hand, and (ii) silt + clay particles on the other
using standard sieves. The particle size distribution (%) was worked out. The total number of
roots ranged from 7-21 (0-3"), 7-17 (3-6"), 6-15 (6-12") and 22-48 (0-12"). Simple correlations
were studied between pebble + sand content and number of roots; silt + clay content and
number of roots in all the above four depths of soil. The correlation values were found positive
and significant between number of roots and silt + clay (%) in majority of cases regardless of
depth. The sand content, however, had a negative correlation with number of roots in all the
four depths of soils. The positive correlation between silt + clay and number of roots and vice
versa in the case of pebbles + sand at all the four soil depths studied could be attributed to the
fact that the silt and clay contains organic matter, nutrients and moisture, which would influence
considerably the other physical, chemical and biological properties of soils. These fmer
fractions, when present in optimum quantities and along with favourable pH, EC and OC
24

Abstracts

levels, would serve as the abode for beneficial soil micro-fauna and flora, provide nutrients
and energy to the plant, and abet the effects of mineral colloids. It would also exert a strong
influence upon the formation of water stable and dry soil aggregates in the presence of organic
matter (OM) and microorganisms (MO), especially Bacillus subfilis, Bacillus spp., etc.,
retention of moisture and nutrients, and bence synonymous with soil fertility. They would
also minimize erosion of soil due to rain and wind. The study thus clearly indicated a vital
role of silt and clay content of soil in plant growth, which in general was below thc required
level in the oils of mulbeny gardens in Salem and Dhannapuri districts, which need to be
improved.

SHM/O-12
ESTIMATES OF ORGANIC MATTER AND ITS ASSOCIATION WITn SOIL
PHYSICOCHEMICAL PARAMETERS AND ROOT GROWTH OF MULBERRY
S.MasiJamani, S.Jayarajl, S.M.H.Qadri, N.Dhabira Beevi, Anirban Guha, and
S.B.Dandin
Regional Scricultural Research Station, Salem - 636 003
IS.Jayaraj Research Foundation, Chennai
Organic matter is an index of the productivity of the soil since it is a store-house of
essential nutrients for plant growth. Under tropical and sub-tropical Indian climate, organic
matter content of the soil is generally low due to high rate of decompositi on. Against a
required organic matter in the oil of mulberry garden of 1.112 to 1.724%, it varies merely
around 0.5%. As data on its influence on mulbcrry root growth are scanty, a field study
involving soil physicochemical analysis, particle density and rooting of mulberry was therefore
taken up under fanners participatory research project on INM-IPM in mulberry in 12 farmers
fields in Salcm and Dharmapuri districts. A total of 48 soil samples collected from the 4
depths of soil viz., 0-3", 3-6", 6-12" and 0-]2". Data recorded on number of roots present in
each offour depths of soil and classified into feeder or fibrous , medium thick, thick roots and
total number of roots. Also, collccted soil samples were separated into coarse sand or sand
and silt & clay particles using standard sieve and particle size distribution (%) was worked
out. The soil samples further analyzed for pH, EC, oe, ava ilable P and K. Organic matter
content of the soil was estimated using Bemmlen factor. Organic matter content of the present
study ranged from 0 .31 % to ] .45% which clearly indicated the low organic content prevailing
in the farm holdings under study. Out of 12 holdings, one was having ].45% of organic
matter and rest all ranged from 0.31 to 0 .89%. Therefore, enhancement of organic matter in
the soil has to be done through FYM application, intcrcropping or green manuring either in
situ or ex situ, mulching etc., to improve the soil health, thereby, improve mulberry productivity.
Further, simple correlations were studied in all possible combinations. Positive and
significant correlations were found among organic carbon, si It & clay, organic matter and
number of roots at different depths. Organic carbon was shown ncgative correlation with
sand fraction of soil which indicated need for enhancing silt & clay fraction in the soil to
improve the mulberry productivity. Phosphorous stimulates root development and hastens

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25

National Seminar on Soil Health and Water Management Jor Sustainable Sericllltlire

. leaf production in general. Further, supply of phosphorous in abundance is not harmful but
facilitates profuse root growth particularly lateral and fibrous roots. The positive and
significant correlation between available phosphorous and number of roots at different depths
obtained in the present study confinn the same. Potassium availability is usually good in
neutral and alkaline soil and the available K in the present study ranged from 135 to 945 kg/
ha.
SHMJO-13

OBSERVATIONS ON SOIL MECHANICAL FRACTIONS, ROOT DISTRIBUTION

AND LEACHING LOSS OF FERTILIZER NITROGEN IN MULBERRY SOILS IN
THEN I AND DINDUGALDISTRICTS, TAMlLNADU
Sbyam Sundar, Pl., Jayaraj, S2., Sherief, Y. HI., Mahima Shanthi l.,
Qadri, S.M.IP., MaDi, S4., James Pitchai, G 4 aDd DaDdin, S. B5
Research Extension Centre, Samayanallur, Madurai
Farm & Rural Development Centre, S J R Foundation, Chennai
3 Regional Sericultural Research Station, Salem.
4 Agricultural College & Research Institute, TNAU, Madurai
SCentral Sericultural Research & Training Institute, Mysore
I

2 Sustainable

Five mulberry gardens were selected among the participatory CSB INM-IPM-IFSM
project fanners' holdings in two districts of Tamil Nadu, where the soil texture was much
different. VI and MR2 were the varieties. Pruning was completed [Tom 28 th July to 22 nd
August 2006, and fertilizer was applied two weeks after pruning. Soil samples were collected
during 3-22 August 2006. Sampling error was kept at minimum. Soil mechanical fraction
analysis wa made at four depths (3, 9, 12 and 24") after treatment of soil samples with HP z
following standard sieving method. The highest silt and clay contcnt of72% was recorded in
one garden in Kodangipatti, Theni district in 0 - 12" depth and 63% in 12 - 24" depth.
Anything above 40% of clay and silt is considered as heavy loam resulting in low permeability
to air and water and difficulty for the roots to penetrate. Lowest silt and clay content of27%
was recorded in a garden at Rajagopalpatty in the same district in the root zone.
The data on root counts of the mulberry plants showed 75- 85 % of fibrous roots, 810% of medium thick roots and 6-8 % of thick roots. In the majority of the gardens the root
penetration was only upto 9" depth. There were no roots below 12" depth in all fields.
Asymmetrical distribution of roots was observed, as 80% of roots were on irrigation side of
the plant and only 20% on the un-irrigated side. The soil around the plant is thus not fully
utilized. Mean length of the roots on irrigation side was 56.2 em and diameter of 5.1 mm
compared to 34.1 cm length and 2.32 mm diameter on the un-irrigated side. Total volume of
roots on irrigation side was 162.1 cc and only 76.9 cc on un-irrigated side.
The study of root system in the mulberry field with low clay + silt and higher levels of
pebbles + sand showed thick roots of size 8.11 to 4.06 mm, medium thick roots of thickness
3.16 to 2.08 mm and fibrous roots of thickness of 0.54 to 1.28 mm. Root pruning studies were
conducted in the selected farmers' fields and trials are under progress.

26

Ab.HraCI.f

Soil samples collected at 0 - 12" and 12 - 24" dcpths of the five holdings were analysed
for N0 3 N and NH4N contents and the total available nitrogen content was computed. This
was to understand fertilizer nitrogen losses by percolation below root zone and by volatilization.
to general, nitrogen contcnts in the two forms and total available nitrogen were much higher
below the root zone, which is of serious concern . In the field with high sand fraction in the
root zone, nitrate nitrogen was J5.05 kg/ha in 0- 12" depth and as high as 22 .05 kg in 12 - 24"
recording 46.5% more than the content in the root zone. Ammoniacal nitrogen, on the other
hand, was 14.35 and 15 .05 kg in the corresponding depth . The increase in the levels bclow
root zone was not quite considerable, as volatilization loss would have taken place as NH3
through the upper sand fraction . Nitrogen in ammoniacal fornl in the sub-soil was much less
compared to N0 3N level in the root zone. Contrarily, in the case of the mulberry garden with
72 and 63% silt + clay content~ in the two soil depths , the variation in NH4N levels was
almost nil (15.72 and J5.75 kg). Obviously, compaction by higher clay content would have
prevented volatilization loss. Intcrestingly, in the holding at Oddanchatram, N in both forms
in both the depths was more or less W1iform, as the sub-soil is as good as top soil in texture
and soil aeration due to the frequent inter-cultivation with deep iron plough . This practice
had Jed to pruning of prim aries and laterals permitting tertiary fibrous roots going into the 12
- 24" depth also. Soil aeration is uniform in both depths and there is no compaction of soil.
The fam1er was able to get bumper leaf yield wi th low levels of applied nutrients . Thcse
studies indicated the scope for minimizing nitrogen loss and optimizing fertilizer levels based
on chemical and physical properties of the soil.

SHMlO-14
INFLUENCE OF CERTAIN PHYSICO-CHEMICAL PROPERTIES OF SOILS ON
MULBERRY ROOT DEVELOPMENT IN UDUMALPET AREA, COIMBATORE
DISTRICT, TAMnJ NADU
Selvaraj, N. G 1., Anilkumar, T. R 2., Punithavathy, GI., Qadri. S.M.H3
and Jayaraj, S4
'Research Extension Centre, Udumalpet, Coimbatore
2Research Extension Centre, SamayanaIlur, Madurai
3 Regional Sericultural Research Station, Salem
4Sustainable Farm & Rural Development Centre, S J R Foundation, Chennai
Physico-chemical characterization of soils is essential for improving the productivity
through crop management systems. Much emphasis has been given on the importance of soil
organic matter in improving the soil's physical, chemical and biological properties and
productivity. The soils ofUdumalpet area are broadly of two kinds, viz., the red (alfisol) soil
and black (vertisol) cotton soil. They have very less humus, are strongly alkaline, and are
poor in soil fertility. Since the physical properties are highly influenced by the size, proportions,
arrangement and mineral composition of the soil particles, there is a need to study the soil in
all perspectives. Soil and water samples were collected from the 10 selected farmers under
JNM- IPM Project. Soil samples were analyzed for pH, EC, organic carbon and available N,
27

National Seminar on Soil Health and Water Management for Sus/ainable Sericulture

P and K. Soil samples at different depths, i.e., 0-3", 3-9" and 9-24" were collected and
. examined for their physical properties to find out the physical constraints for rooting. The
number of thick, medium thick and fibrous roots at different depths of soil was also recorded
to study the influence of the soil properties and rooting pattern.
The present study showed that the water holding capacity and rooting in mulberry
were highly influenced by the soil particle size, proportion and arrangements. Soils of low
porosity resist the infiltration of water and penetration of roots. Maximum number of roots
was seen only in 3-9" and almost no roots were observed below 9" except in the case of one
garden. It was mainly due to improper planting method, excess and frequent irrigation no
inter-cultivation operation, poor humus content, etc., In view of the above, the mulberry
plants couJd not produce the expected leaf quality and yield. Irrigation water was uniformly
bad in most of the gardens. The soil pH was ranging from 7.58 to 8.73, OC from 0.23 to
0.54% and P from 4.5 to 28.2 kg/ha. The EC of water samples ranged from 1.0 to 5.3 m mohs/
cm hardness from 300 to 1440, and sodium absorption rate (SAR) from 3.7 to 23.2 .
Observations are being made on the ameliorative measures and the results will be discussed.
SHM/O-15
INTEGRATED APPROACH OF ORGANIC FARMING AND WATER
MANAGEMENT TO IMPROVE SOIL HEALTH IN MULBERRY GARDENS

Srinivasulu Reddy, P., Kishore, S., Krishna Rao, J. VI and Dandin, S. 8 2

Research Extension Centre, V.Kota, Chittoor Dist.
IRegional Sericultural Research Station, Anantapur
2Central Sericultural Research and Training Institute, Mysore
Attempts were made to improve the soil health through integrated approach of organic
farming systems like use of FYM , compost from seri- farm residues, vermin-composting,
intercropping with leguminous crops, use of bacterial biofertilizers like Azotobacter and
Azospirillum, and use of Dasagavya, an organic growth promoter and to control pests and
diseases. The studies were conducted in farmers ' fields in Venkatagirikota. This approach
helped to improve the soil pH, EC, OC, P and K in addition to improving the water holding
capacity. Drip irrigation at the level of 2-3 I of water per plant per day was found optimum
followed by alternate furrow method of irrigation for the lands not possessing drip irrigation.

28

Ahstract

SHM/O-16
IMPROVEMENT OF SOIL FERTILITY THROUGH ORGANIC FARMING FOR
MULBERRY CULTIVAnON AND SEED CROP REARING
Philomena, K.L., Pratheesh Kumar, P.M., Jayappa, T and Kamble, C.K
Silkworm Seed Technology Laboratory, Kodathi, Bangalore-35.
Augmentation of organic matter in the soil minimizes the adverse impact on cropping,
soil health and fertility. This ensures the sustainability and profitability through sericulture.
Enrichment of organic matter can be achieved either one or varied source of organic manure
such as by utilizing organic sericulture waste, by preparing compost, vennicompost or green
manure. In addition direct soil application of vesicular arbuscular mycorrhiza, Azotobacter
or raising intercrop can further enrich the soil fertility.
An experiment has been conducted to study the impact of enrichment through combined
application of varied sources of organic fertilizers to the soil fertility to assess the leaf quality
and in turn utility of such application on seed crop rearing. The organic carbon, nitrogen,
carbon nitrogen ratio, moisture content, and soil phosphorus were found significantly higher
(P<O.05) due to organic farming. Similarly, beneficial micro flora of the soil was increased in
the plots enriched with organic fertilizers, compared to chemical fertilizer application. These
combined application of organic manure also resulted in increasing moisture, chlorophyll
and protein content of the mulberry leaves significantly. Further the important seed crop
rearing parameters such as fecundity, pupation and egg recovery were also improved suggesting
the utilization of organic farming for sustainable seed cocoon production.

SHM/O-17
PERCEPTION LEVELS OF SOIL HEALTH AMONG SEED FARMERS
Ramanjancyulu,Y.V., Doddanarasaiah, Bhargava, S.K., Kamble, C.K.,
Sindagi,S.S and Ishwar
Silkworm Seed Technology laboratory, Kodathi, Bangalore-35
Soil health has been a major concern for all the ages. However, where the productivity
per unit is increased mUltiple times, the necessity of soil health maintenance becomes a
prime factor particularly in case of mulberry cultivation for seed crop rearing. Considering
the importance of soil nutrients and their role on mulberry crop performance, conducting of
soil testing and keeping a record of soil nutrient status by the seed farmers will help them in
improving the mulberry garden. In this connection, a survey was conducted in the seed areas
of three southern states to understand the perception level of the seed farmers about testing
soil in their fields/farm. It was recorded that 98% seed farmers have been informed about the
importance of soil testing and its necessity by technical extension agencies. 54% seed farmers
have expressed convinced opinion on the necessity of soil testing, but alarmingly only 36%
seed farmers have got tested their farm soils. However, only 8% farmers have got second
time soil tested. Among the seed farmers who got their soils tested 98% of them tested at free
of cost in coordination with different extension agencies and only 2% of the farmers have

29

National Seminar on Soil Health and Water Management for Sustainable Sericulture

adopted rectification measures in toto as per the test report and recommendation indicating
poor receptivity.
When ascertained the reasons for non-adoption of soil testing activity, 46% farmers
expressed as not necessary and 26% of seed farmers expressed difficulties such as cumbersome
procedure of collecting samples, packing and transportation and waiting for test reports. 70%
of farmers expressed that the test reports are not easy to understand while 85% of the seed
farmers expressed difficulty in adopting the recommended remedial measures as cost involved
in supplementation of soil nutrients.
In view of the low perception and adoption levels among the seed farmers, both
Government and non-Government agencies should draw specific programmes to encourage
adoption and implementation of soil test recommendations with the seed farmers first and
later can be extended to commercial farmers/Sericulturists.
SHM/O-18
EFFECT OF DIFFERENT SOIL MULCHES ON MULBERRY LEAF YIELD AND
LEAF MOISTURE CONTENT

Jaiswal, K., Goel, R., Kumar, Rand Gangwar, S.K

Department of Applied Animal Sciences
B.B.A. University, Lucknow-226 025, Uttar Pradesh
During 2004-2005, an experiment in mulberry field was carried out to study the effect
of different mulches on leaf yield, growth of mulberry and leaf moisture content. The different
mulches used in the experiment were dried mulberry twigs, paddy straw, black polythene
sheet, thatch f:,'fass, silkworm bed waste and water hyacinth aquatic weed. Mulching of soil
surface by silkworm bed waste increased the leaf yield by 56.93% followed by dried mulberry
twigs (51.85%), black polythene sheet (46.52%), water hyacinth (41 .99%) and paddy straw
(35.80%). Higher leaf moisture content at 30 days of leaf harvest was also noticed in silkworm
bed waste followed by dried mulberry twigs, black polythene sheet, thatch grass, water hyacinth
and paddy straw. The same trend was observed even at 60 days of leaf harvest also.
SHM/O-19
STATUS OF SOIL HEALTH AND ITS MANAGEMENT PRACTICES FOR
RAINFED SERICULTURE IN KORAPUT DISTRICT OF ORISSA

Dikshit, B.K., Purohit, K.M and Sarkar, A I

Regional Sericulture Research Station, Koraput-764020, Orissa
'Central Sericultural Research & Training Institute, Berhampore-742101
Land situations, where mulberry is cultivated, at micro level are of hill slope and unbunded I bunded rainfed upland conditions. The soils are mostly red, mixed red and yellow,
acidic (5.4 - 6.2 pH), poor in fertility, highly eroded, rich in iron, molybdenum and aluminium,
deficient in boron and zinc with acidity and iron toxicity (500 - 4075) problems. The texture
is sandy loam to sandy clay loam. To improve the soil health and productivity different
30

Abstracts

programmes viz.: u e of bio-fertilizers (Nitrofert & Phosphofert) to curtail the requirement

of chemical fertilizers, vermicompost, lime for amelioration and amendment of acidic soil,
required quantity of phosphorus and potassium in soil; liquid bio-fertilizer, introduction high
yielding mulberry variety-S 1635, and plant protection measures were taken up. The
implementation of the above programmes have initially registered 13 .24 % gain in leaf yield
over control with significant improvement of soil health.
SHM/O-20

INFLUENCE OF SOIL HEALTH AND WATER CONSERVATION

MANAGEMENT ON MULBERRY COCOON PRODUCTION UNDER RAlNFED
CONDITION OF ORISSA
Brahma, K.C., Rao, K.V.S and Saxena, N.N
Regional Sericultural Research Station, Koraput-764020
Koraput district of Orissa is mainly dominated by rainCed sericulture and contributes a
major share of silk production in the state. Generally the soil is acidic in nature, deficient in
organic matter and exhibit low fertility, low water holding capacity, erust formation in nature
and soil ero ion problem. Hence it needs immediate attention for augmentation of the soil
health to improve mulberry cocoon production . Based on the above the present study was
contemplated .
A field trial was conducted in Simla village under Nandapur Block. To improve the soil
health and increase water holding capacity, contour bunding of land, use of Sunnhemp as
green manure, use ofvermicompost, reduced dose of chemical fertilizer and integrated disease
and pest management was adopted and rearing was taken up with ' N x YB' a new multi x bi
hybrid .
The performance of silkworm crop indicated an average cocoon yield or 44.10 kg 1 100
dfls against the benchmark yield of37 .15 kg 1100 df1s with traditional practices. Thus there
was a gain of 18.70% cocoon yield over the control.

POSTER PRESENTATION
SHM/P-l

SOIL MICROFLORA OF IRRIGATED MULBERRY ECO YSTEM IN

SIDLAGHATTA, KOLAR DISTRICT
Chinnaswamy, K.P., Bhagyaraj, D.J., Fatima, S, Rashmi, K. and Jagadish, N
Department of Sericulture, VAS, GKVK, Bangalore-560065
Soil samples were collected from 54 fanners in Sidlaghatta taluk of Kolar district at
2 stages (initial and fmal stages) in the 2 years of study period, for the enumeration of soil
microflora of irrigated mulberry ecosystem. The rhizosphere soil at the plough layer (0-20
cm) was used for the microbial populations such as bacteria, fungi, actinomycetes, nitrogen
fixers, phosphate solubalizers and mycorrhizal colonization. The results indicated that, the
31

National Seminar on Soil Health and Water Management for Sustainable Sericlllture

microflora population observed among the farmers' fields did not differ significantly, but the
overall bacterial population in the root zone of mulberry was 24.92 x 105 Cfus/g dry soil,
fungal population was 23.55 x 103 Cfus/g dry soil and actinomycete population was 8.99 x
104 Cfus/g dry soil. Further, the nitrogen fixers observed were Beijerinckia and Azatobacter,
the overall population was 13 .22 x 104 Cfus/g dry soil and the phosphate solubalizers observed
was 3.91 xl 03 Cfus/g dry soil. The over all percent root colonization ofmycorrhiza was very
poor (6.43) in irrigated mulberry root zone.
SHM/P-2
INFLUENCE OF SILKWORM EXCRETAAND OTHER ORGANIC MANURES
ON SOIL FERTILITY STATUS OF RAINFED MULBERRY
Chinnaswamy, K.P., Pasha. S.N and Fatima, S
Department of Sericulture, VAS , GKVK, Bangalore-65
A study was conducted to build the fertility of rainfed mulberry soil by using silkworm
excreta and other organic manures either singly or in combination to meet the total N
requirement of the mUlberry. The organic manures like silkworm excreta @ 4575kg/halyr,
Pongamia cake @ 3398 kg/h/yr, sheep manure @ 22,892 kg/haly, FYM @ 35 .000kg/ha/yr,
silkworm excreta (SW) + Pongamia cake (HC) @ 2,287+ 1,699 kg/halyr, SWE + sheep manure
(SM) @ 2.287+ 11 ,466 kg/halyr, SWE + FYM @ 2287 kg/halyr, NPK only @ 100:50:50 kg/
halyr, and NPK+FYM @ 100:50:50 + 10,000 kg/halyr were applied to soil. Soil was analyzed
before application of organic manures and again after one year to know the fertility status.
Before application of organic manures, soil pH was 5.9, soil organic matter (0.29%),
available N (120 kg/ha), available P 20S (20.02 kg/ha), and available ~O (38 .14 kglha). After
one year the soil pH increased from 5.9 to 6.0 with application of SWE, SM, FYM, and
SWE+FYM while application of NPK alone decreased the soil pH. Application of FYM
increased soil organic matter to 0.40%, SWE to 0.39 % and SWE+FYM 0.38%. The available
N was more (132 kglha) in the treatment applied with FYM followed by SWE (130.42 kg/h).
Available P in soil was more with application of SM (32.42 kg/ha) followed by SWE+SM
(24.93 kg/ha) and FYM (23 .81 kg/ha). Soil available K was more with application of SWE
(45 .77 kg/ha). Application of organic manures increased the available N, P, K and also soil
organic matter in the rainfed mulberry soils than the application ofNPK only. Well decomposed
silkworm excreta can be applied either singly or in combination of other organic manures to
build the soil fertility and can be substituted to FYM under scarce situation.

32

Abstracts

SHM/P-3

CARBON I NITROGEN RATIO - A MAJOR INDICATOR OF SOIL HEALTH IN

SEED CROP MULBERRY GARDEN
Dutta, R.N., Kamble, c.K. and Philomena, K.L
Silkworm Seed Technology laboratory, Kodathi, Bangalore-35
Soil is a very complex system whercin there is an integrated nutrient transfer system,
the functions of which are still not completely known. The major research is based on the
nutrient availability, supplement, microbial activity but how these together are coordinating
towards yield and quality performance are defined in different ways. Taking various nutrients
and supplementing individual required components do not give full picture of over all
interactions in the soil ecosystem. Hence, the prominent parameter from amongst the different
nutrients like the carboni nitrogen ratio is to be given highest priority to arrive at the instant
soil health condition. Narrower the CiN ratio betwecn 9-10 : I higher will be the chance of
harbouring mostly the required nutrients and microbial population in the soil. An integrated
approach to bring CIN ratio closer is suggested.
SHM/P-4

INFLUENCE OF DIFFERENT MULCHE ON son. MOISTURE REGIME AND

LEAF MOISTURE CONTENT OF RAIN}<~ED Ms MULBERRY
Bhaskar, R.N., Shashidhar, K.R'., Chandrashekar, SI., Murthuza Khan,
Govindan, R I., Sreerama, N I and Savitha, B.G I
Sericulture College, UAS, Chintamani
IDepartment of Sericulture, UAS, Bangalore
In rainfed mulberry cultivation availability of optimum soil moisture is the most overriding limitation for productivity during non-rainy periods (Nov. to May) . The present studies
were made to know the effect of different mulches on soil moisture content and leaf moisture
ofM5mulberry under rainfed condition. The results revealed that all the mulched plots recorded
significantly increased soil moisture content at both 30-45 and 45-60 cm depth of soil. Among
the mulched plots, the hjghest soil moisture content was recorded in paddy straw mulched
plots (14.33 and 14.77% at 30-45 and 45-60 cm depths, respectively). It was followed by
silkworm bed waste (14.13 and 14.51 %) and sunnhemp mulched plots (14.12 and 14.48%)
compared to other treatments. The control plot recorded 10.90 and 11 .17% at both the depths.
However, the highest moisture content of mulberry leafwas recorded in paddy straw mulched
plots (66.02%) followed by silkworm bedwaste (65 .67%), enriched coir pith (65.57%) and
sunnhemp mulched plots (65.50%) and least was observed in control plots (62.72%).

33

National Seminar on Soil Healllr and Water Management for Sus tail/able Sericliiture

SHMlP-5
STUDIES ON SOIL MECHANICAL FRACTIONS AND ITS INFLUENCE ON
ROOT DISTRIBUTION PATTERN UNDER IRRIGATED MULBERRY GARDENS
OF EASTERN DRY ZONE OF KARNATAKA
Rajadurai, S., Jaishankar', Veeraiab, T.M', Harihararaju, A and Jayaraj.S2
Research Extension Center, Madivala, Kolar
'Regional Sericultural Research Station, Kodathi, Bangalore-560 035.
2S. Jayaraj Research Foundation, Chennai, 600 042
Determination of various physical and chemical properties of the soil enables adoption
of need based correction measures to improve the soi l characteristics and fertility. In the
present study an attempt was made to analyse the soil mechanical fractions and its influence
on root distribution pattern in irrigated mulberry in the eastern dry zone of Kamataka. The
mechanical analysis of soil at surface, one foot and two feet depths, and the root counts at 03",3-6" and 6-12" depths were made in 11 mulberry gardens of 4 villages, 2 plots of Research
Extension Centre, Madivala, Kolar district and one plot at Regional Sericultural Research
Station, Kodathi, Bangalore. The silt and clay percentage showed 44.62, 42.13 and 39.08 at
surface, one foot and two feet depths, respcctively. The CV% at one foot and two feet depths
was found high. The pebble and sand percentage also varied and the mean values showed
42.40, 40.17 and 43.45 at surface, one foot and two feet depths, respectively. The root count
penetration study showed high concentrated distribution of fibrous roots at surface level. 1 he
mean values for fibrous roots count 10.27,9.33 and 4.13, medium thick 4.6, 13.47 and 13.2,
and thick roots 0.4,3 .53 and 3.67 at 0-3",3-6" and 6-12" depths, respectively. The water
infiltration study indicated that the time taken for water percolation was more at deeper level
clearly indicating the light nature of soil at surface, and as the depth increases soil shows
healthy compactness due to more silt and clay percentage. The results clearly indicate the
heterogeneous nature of soils under similar agro-climatic conditions.
SHM/P-6
OBSERVATIONS ON THE EFFECT OF INM PRACTICES ON SOIL HEALTH,
MULBERRY ROOT SYSTEM AND MULBERRY AND
COCOON YIELDS
Thirunavukkarsu, T., Mary Flora, C.A., Guba, A 2, Jayaraj, SI
and Qadri,S.M.H 2
Research Extension Centre, Gobichettipalayam
'S.Jayaraj Research Foundation, Chennai
2Regional Sericultural Research Station, Salem.
With an aim to improve the soil health and production and productivity ofCSR cocoons
for international standard grade of silk, the INM and IPM project was implemented in Erode
district, Tamil Nadu through farmer participation mode. The mean pH of soils in the selected
10 farmers fields in Velliankattur (Gobi) and Kuppandampalayam (Bhavani) villages was 8.0
34

Abs tracts

and 8.1, respectively. EC was 0.25 and 0.46 m mohs/cm and phosphorous was medium and
low, respectively. Totally, three crops were completed by adopting green manure cover
cropping with daincha after treatment with Rhizobium application of Azospirillum ,
Phosphobacteria and FYMlCompost to mulberry. The improvement in leaf yield ranged from
3.03 to 15.21 % and cocoon yieldl100 dfls from 9.17 to 28 .38%. Weed suppression ranged
from 35 to 48%. The dfls intake per acre increased from 800 to 1200. Further, to know the
root healthiness water holding capacity, moisture availablc in the root zone, absorption rate
of nutrition and depth of roots, the soil profile study was conducted in six mulberry holdings .
The soil mechanical fraction analysis revealed that in Cluster-I Velliankattur, all the three
holdings have more silt and clay (52 to 64%) at the depth of 0-3". It was reduced to 34% to
42% at 6 -12" depth. The root system was confined to 0- 6" only. The soil moisture % ranged
from 14.66 to 21 .87. Infiltration rate of soil in holding I was 26 to 32 minutes (irrigated) and
15 to 26 minutes (unirrigated), in holding II 4 to 22 minutes (irrigated) and 10 to 17 minutes
(unirrigated) and in holding III 6 to 80 minu tes (irrigated) and 5 to 72 minutes (unirrigated).
In Cluster II KuppandampaJayam, the silt and clay content ranged from 27 to 45% at 0-3"
depth, 22 to 42% in 3-6" depth and 18 to 22.5% in 6-12" depth. The root system of three
holdings in different depths was observed. Based on the above results, soil hcalth care
management studies are being implemented with selected holdings by imposing different
treatments.
SHM/P-7

ROLE OF HUMUS AND ORGANIC MATTER FOR MANAGEMENT OF SOIL

FERTIL.ITY IN MULBERRY

Singh, P.K., Chakrabarti, S and Tomer, S.SI

Regional Sericultural Research Station, Sahaspur, Dehradun-248 197
)Project Management Unit, Rural Devclopment Department, Dehradun
The increase of soil organic mattcr to optimum level is a key aspect of any organic
production system. Native organic matter levels are relatively low in Indian soils, generally
ranging from 1.0 to 2.0%. Studies have shown that it is unreasonable for a grower to expect
to increase soil organic matter by more than 1.0% but a relatively small increase can
dramatically improve the soil fertility environment in a given field . Soil organic' matter and
humus improve cation exchange capacity and serves as a reservoir of nutrients for the growing
plants. Incorporation of organic matter also improves soil aeration, drainage and water holding
capacity. Incorporation of crop residues can also add organic matter to the soil and help
recycling the nutrients particularly potassium. In this paper how to determine the nutrients
needs and nutrient sources and roles of organic matter and humus in the mulberry gardens are
defmed elaborately.

35

National Seminar all Soli Health alld Water Management for Sustainable Sericullure

SHM/P-8
STUDIES ON SOIL STRUCTURE AND MICRO-CLIMATE OF SlMILIPAL
FORESTS OF ORISSA AND THEm ROLE IN GENETIC DIVERSITIES OF WILD
MODAL ECORACE OF ANTHERAEA MYLITTA DRURY
Dikshit B.K
Regional Sericultural Research Station, Koraput-764020

Similipal forests of Orissa stretching 2750 sq km area is a hill studded ecosystem of

virgin, moist-dry deciduous and semi-evergreen forests, mainly of vast expanse of Sal (Shorea
robusta) forests with undulating hills, varied topography and soil, warm and humid climate,
in an altitude ranging up to 1165 meters above MSL. This typical ecosystem is the natural
habitat of Modal - a wild Shorea based ecorace of Antheraea myliLta Drury which produces
heaviest cocoon (15.20 g) and highest silk yield per cocoon (3.30 g) among all sericigenous
lepidopterans. Endeavour was made to exploit commercially the genetic vigour of Modal
ecorace at plains of Mayurbhanj district of Orissa. But, cocoon characters deteriorated
qualitatively and quantitatively (with cocoon weight of 109 and shell weight of 1.1 - 1.58 g).
Hence, it was attempted to find out the reasons. It revealed that Similipal was a part of
Gondwana land in Palaeozoic era and geologically holds three concentrically laid bow I shaped
impervious quartzite layers with outer interspace filled with volcanic rocks and inner interspace
filled with igneous rocks. Outcrops of sub- metamorphic sand stone and quartzite haematites
produce a reddish sandy acidic (4.8-6.8 pH) soil with high water holding capacity and biotic
activity. Further, there is heavy rain in the region with mean annual rainfall of 2200 mm. It is
inferred that these adapruc conditions and the microclimate favour Sal trees to grow luxuriously
and Modal ecorace to survive and flourish as the super univoltine wild ecorace in Similipal
forests.

36

SESSION II
RAIN WATER HARVESTING, CONSERVATION AND
EFFECTIVE UTILISATION FOR FARM ACTIVITIES.

Chairman

Dr. C.S. Ramashesa

Commissioner, GW
Ministry of Water Resources, New Delhi

Co-Chairpersons

Mr. A.R. Shivakumar

Principal Investigator-RWH
KSCST, BangaJore
Dr. S. T. Christiana
Senior Research Officer
Central Office, CSB, Bangalore

Oral Session
RWH/O-l - RWHlO-9

,1bslraCIS

Lead Paper 1
MANAGEMENT OF WATER RESOURCES
FOR SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT
Ramashesa, C. S
Commissioner, Ground Water, Ministry o[Water Resources, New Delhi
Ancient Wisdom
As you are aware, Water is a prime natural resource, a basic human need and a precious
national asset and support in sustenance of our fragile ecosystem and socio economic
development of our country. It is appropriate here to be reminded of glorious traditional
values expressed in our scriptures through Rig Veda hymn which is 6000 years old depicting
the manifestation of different forms of water, their synthesis and great concern for protection
and conservation of their vital resource.
"Ya apo divya (those waters which have come from heaven), uta va sravallti (or
those which flow), khallitrima (those which come from digging), uta va yah swayamjah (
or those which oftheir own accord ooze out as springs), samudrartha (speeding towards
the ocean), yah sucayah pavakasta (those which are bright and pure), Apo deveelt ilta
mam avantu (may those divine waters protect me)"

Water Resource availability

You are also aware, ' Water' is a component of Hydrological Cycle which includes
precipitation from cloud, its interception, transpiration, runoff, infiltration and evaporation
from water bodies, ocean etc. Global scenario indicates that about 3% of the total water
availab le on earth is fresh, the remaining being saline. 77% of the total available fresh water
resource occurs in the form of glacier and ice caps and the remaining reserves occurs in the
form of ground water (22%) and surface water (1 %). In national context, India covers about
2.5% of land area and supports 16% of world population, accounts for only 4.5% of total
world 's fresh water reserves. Our country receives annual precipitation of 4000 BCM although
it is highly variable ranging from less than 100 mm in western Rajasthan to about 11,000
BCM in Cherapunji . The availability of freshwater resource in the country is to the tune of
1123 BCM out of which contributions of surface water and ground water are 690 BCM and
433 BCM respectively. However, owing to wide variability in rainfall distribution coupled
with topographical heterogeneity and hydrogeological complexities, water resource
distribution in the country is largely non uniform in nature.

ssues of Concern and challenges

During the post independence era our country has witnessed phenomenal increase in
water demands by various sectoral users due to accelerated growth in urbanization,
industrialization and agricultural activities. The growing demands offresh water have interalia
created alarming stress on available water resources in the country with wide ranging
ramification like sharp decline in per capita availability, over exploitation of ground water
resources, continuous decline in ground water levels, reduced sustainability of million of
37

National Seminar on Soil Ilealtll and WaleI' Managemenl/or Sustainable Sericulture

.wells beside other environmental problems like degradation of ground water quality, salinity
ingress in coastal areas etc. In 1951, the per capita water availability was 5000 cum/yr which
has reduced to 2000 cum/yr in 1991 and it is anticipated that the availability would further
reduce to 1OOOcumlyr thereby creating water stressed conditions in many parts of the country.
The per capita water storage on the other hand in the country is about 262 cum which is far
less as compared to other countries like Russia (6103 cum), Brazil (3145 cum) and USA
(1954 cum).
The total anticipated water demands in the country in 2010 is 800 BCM, which may rise
further upto 1100 BCM in 2025 and 1400 BCM in: 2025. As against the total demand the
available surface storage created upto IX Plan is 220 BCM and an additional anticipated
storage of210 BCM in future. Thus it is evident that there is wide gap between demand and
the supply as far as surface water resources are concerned and there would be growing demand
for exploitation of ground water resources. Vast areas of our country remain without irrigation
sources. Despite the huge investment made in irrigation, the country remains predominantly
rainfed. Water availability for agriculture remains the most critical and perhaps the most
limiting factor on its growth and posed hindrance for improvement in local food security in
many parts of the country.
As far as ground water exploitation is concerned, in the irrigation sector alone there
is a quantum jump in creation of irrigation potential through ground water from 6.5 Mha in
1951 to 50.24 Mha in 1997. Commensurate with demand for ground water by various sectors
there is phenomenal increase in growth of ground water abstraction structures from 38,64,000
in 1951 to 1,73,34,000 in 1997 . Manifestation of over development of ground water resources
in the country has resulted in over exploitation of ground water resources beside decline in
ground water levels. The nation wide ground water resource assessment carried out by Central
Ground Water Board reveals that out of 5723 areas 839 areas are over exploited and 776
areas are either semi critical or critical from the consideration of present stage of ground
water development. With the growing pace of overexploitation ground water levels across
the country have also declined sharply on long term basis. It is observed that in more than
250 district, the ground water have fallen by more than 2 m over the past 10 years, with many
blocks in these district identified as overexploited or in critical stages of resource development.
Water Resource Management Options
Although the problems of resource availability is of lesser concern than its utilization,
the water management strategies needs to be appropriately designed aiming towards more
equitable growth process through the involvement of institutional management and
stakeholders participation. A balance management approach is need of the hour that addresses
strategies for regulating use of resource on one hand and provide state of art know ledge base
on the other hand for augmentation of ground water resources with massive nationwide
awareness campaign for recharge of ground water.
Insitu conservation of available rain water runoff in the agricultural land is one of the
important options for augmentation of both surface and ground water resources. This water
will be available for supplementing the irrigation needs to achieve optimum crop production

38

Abs tracts

from agricultural land. As per prevailing rainfall conditions in the country about 1000 m l of
water can be planned for harvesting in an area of 1 ha land. Assuming 2-3 fillings of these
structures during monsoon seasons the capacity of the structures may be fixed at 10m long,
10m wide and 3 m depth. A suitable pumping system should be arranged for lifting thc water.
Due to the availability of additional resources for supplementing the water needs the
agricultural production will be enhanced. Assuming an available area for agriculture 160
million ha a total storage created will be in the order of 160 BCM in the country.

RWH/O-l
RAINWATER HARVESTING-RSRS, KODATHJ MODEL FOR WATER
CONSERVATION IN MULBERRY CUl,TIVATION
Vceraiah, T. M., Christiana, S.T' and Subrahmanyam, M.n.
Regional Sericultural Research Station, Kodathi, Bangalore-560 035
'Central Silk Board, CSB Complex, BTM Layout, Bangalore -68
The concept of rainwater harvesting lies in tapping judiciously the rainwater where it
falls . The harvesting teclmique involves collecting the rainwater from localized catchments
such as roof of the rearing houses, operational buildings in plain and sloppy surfaces, and
diverting in to the underground sumps, by seepage of water into dug out ponds, vessels, etc.
In the present study the rainwater harvesting teclmiques adopted at Regional Serieultural
Research Station, Kodathi , Bangalore and its pay baek has been worked out. Topographically
low lying water-collecting ponds of7 feet depth of different dimensions were dug out at six
strategic locations in the close vicinity of existing bore wells spread over an area of 67 acres.
All these ponds were inter-connected to ensure the collection of overflow water to the next
pond lying in the low-lying area . A quantity of 92,34,960 and 1,23, 13,280 liters of rainwater
was actually harvested during the calendar years 2004 and 2005, respectively. Considering
10% loss due to evaporation, a total quantity of 83, 11 ,464 and 1,10,81 ,952 liters of water was
able to percolate during 2004 and 2005 , rcspectively. This has improvcd the ground water
table considerably and reduced the irrigation duration from 6 hours per acre to 2 hours,
improving the water discharge efficiency by 66%. Taking the existing market value, thc pay
back of rainwater collected has been worked out to be 1: 13.33 .

RWH/O-2
IMPACT OF UAS SERI SUVARNA TECHNOLOGY (TRENCHING, BIOMASSING
AND MULCHING) IN SOIL FERTILITY BUILDING AND RAINWATER
HARVESTING UNDER RAINFED MULBERRY

Chinnaswamy, K.P., Gajanana, GN., Arunkumar, Y.S.,

Seenappa, K and Bhagyaraj, D.J
University of Agricultural Science, GKVK, Bangalore-65
The UAS CB) multidisciplinary research team, with available technical knowledge on
rain water harvesting micro-watershed, moisture conservation and soil fertility building
processes and management, conceived the technology model for the rainfed sericulture with
39

National Seminar on Soil Health and Water Management for Sustainable Sericullllre

t1!e concept of "In-situ rainwater harvesting by trenching and fertility building by sub-soil
biomassing / manuring and soil moisture conservation by organic mulching" simply in short
"TRENCHING AND MULCHING" for sustainable rainfed sericulture. The package was
demonstrated in 54 farmers' mulberry fields of three villages in Chamarajanagar district over
a period of two years and results are quite encouraging in terms of increased soil fertility and
in-situ rain water harvesting. The protocol of the conceptual technology model and out put of
the findings is presented. The impact was effective in terms of increased soil fertility status
wherein the increase in organic carbon (OC) was to the extent of32%, N by 45%, Pby 115 %
and K by 116 %. The increase in micronutrients status was Fe by 827 %, Mn by 172 %, Zn by
609% and Cu by 2 J 0 %. Trenching ensures effective prevention of soil erosion and rainwater
harvesting.

RWH/O-3
WATER USE STRATEGIES AND TECHNIQUES FOR SUSTAINED WATER
MANAGEMENT IN MULBERRY CULTIVATION
Rama Kant and Chakrabarti, S
Regional Sericultural Research Station, Sahaspur, Dehradun-248 197
Mulberry is a perennial, deep-rooted and undergoes repeated harvesting and intensive
cultural operations in the tarai region. The metabolic activities of the tree are reduced due to
lack of sufficient irrigation during water-stress period. Rainfall in the arid and semi-arid
zones is very erratic and the prevailing drought conditions adversely affect mulberry leaf
quality and production. Hence, it is necessary to establish a system for the efficient use of
water. Development of water use strategies and techniques for sustained water management
in mulberry cultivation is very essential for economizing the water use. Present paper deals
with water requirement, soil moisture extraction pattern, and adoption of-irrigation for different
soils.
Water requirement and evapo-transpiration co-efficient were calculated by measuring
plant dry matter, transpiration and evapo-transpiration by lysirneter methods. The water
requirement was found 332 for one planted pot and 293 for two planted pots. The effective
root zone for water absorption was upto a depth of 70 cm. However, maximum water was
extracted from the upper layer and followed by 20-40 cm depth of the soil.

40

Abs tracts

RWHlO-4
REPLENISHMENT o.F GROUND WATER TABLE BY ARTIFICIAL RECHARGE
AND ITS IMPACT ON COCOON PRODUCTIVITY IN
DRY BELT OF KOLAR DISTRICT
Christiana, S.TI, Veeraiah, T.M2, Angadi, B.SJ and Shivashankar, K4
lCentral Silk Board, CSB Complex, BTM Layout, Bangalore -68
2Regional Sericultural Research Station, Central Silk Board, Bangalore -35
3Silkworm Seed Production Centre, Chintamani
4Professor of Agronomy (Retd), UAS, GKVK, Banaglore
Agriculture as a whole and sericulture in particular is passing through a critical phase
due to multifarious and multidimensional problems which are further aggravated by water
scarcity. In the wake of such a situation, water and soil conservation assumes greater
significance. Most of the areas in southern peninsular India, though receives fairly good
rainfall ailliually, due to our poor and inefficient water harvesting and conservation methods,
the water resources available to us are highly mismanaged . Rain water being thc ultimate
primary source of water, needs to be collectcd directly or indirectly and utilized for irrigation,
drinking etc. or recharged into the ground water storage. The collected water nccds to be
judiciously utilized. In cu ltivation of agricultural crops, generally, in-situ moisture conservation
will also help us in improving the water table and minimizing water loss in the field .
Kolar district of Karnataka , India is predominantly a rain shadow area and often
confronted with drought. Some of the farmers here have adopted suitable mechanisms to
harvest the rain water and recharge it to the existing bore wells and utilize it for further
irrigation of mulberry plots. A study was conducted in two villages of Kolar district by selecting
the 2 commonly practiced measures of ground water replenishment viz., Bore well point
recharge (BP) and Bore well soak-pit recharge (BRSP). Data with regard to water availability,
mulberry acreage, leafyieldlacre/yr and DFLs brushedlacre/yr and cocoon yield/ l 00 DFLs
before and after recharge were collected. Results indicated that a significant increase in
brushing and cocoon yield was observed in both the methods which ultimately resulted in
higher returns per acre. PR method was more efficient than BRSP method with regard to all
the parameters considered. The cost benefit ratio was almost doubled in both the methods.

41

National Seminar on Soil Health and Water Managem ent for Sustainable Sericulture

RWHlO-S
CONCEPT OF PRACTICING POLYTHENE SHEET - A RESCUE TO
RAINWATER HARVEST FOR SEED CROP MULBERRY CULTIVATION

Dutta, R.N., Kamble, C.K and Jayappa, T

Silkwonn Seed Technology laboratory, Kodathi, Bangalore-35
To minimize the soil erosion, loss of nutrients, direct the rain water towards desired
destination thick polythene sheet serves as a rescue for mulberry cultivation. The use of
polythene in agriculture inside the soil for any purpose is though detrimental, the use of thick
polythene sheet is improvised for water collection in slopy or plain field including recycling
of water for irrigation of mulberry garden. The use of very commonly available polythene
sheet to harvest rain water both for plain or sloppy land as well as for standing crop has been
thought of and a model for the same is designed. The concept towards utilization of thick
polythene sheet with specific folds, pegs, rings and curvature may be used even in a standing
crop with provisions for erecting the designed sheet. The size of the polythene sheet and
roller varies according to the need. Harvesting and recycling rain water may be made from
un-utilized land and even for the watershed pond / tank wherein there is chance of soil erosion,
nutrient loss and places where there is scanty rain fall and run off is acute. By adopting tills
technology there is chance of 65-80 % reduction in soil erosion, 50-70 % saving of nutrient
on account of run off. Further it helps in minimizing polythene pollution on account of mass
recycling of the same for the preparation of polythene sheet in case of higher demand.
RWHlO-6
RESPONSE OF TASAR FOOD PLANT, TERMINALIA ARJUNA TO RAINWATER
CONSERVATION MANAGEMENT

Shankar Rao, K.V., Mahobia, Gp l and Saxena, N.N

Regional Sericultural Research Station, Landiguda, Koraput- 764020
tRegional Tasar Research Station, Dharampura, Jagdalpur-494005
The State of Chhattisgarh receives about 1200-1500 mm of rainfall per arulum, but due
to lack of rain water harvesting techniques the entire precipitation was lost as run off water.
Hence a field study was conducted in red sandy morum soil at fanners field of Belguda
village of Bastar Taluk in Chhattisgarh during 2001-2003 to assess the leaf yield and cocoon
crop under an in situ water conservation technique.
The experiment was laid in split plot design with T. arjuna plants with two treatments
and 6 replications. The treatment comprised of 2 fer.t diameter basin with ridge around the
plant and application of vennicompost @ 2 kg/plant (Tl) and control (T2) - no conservation
measure and without vermicompost application.
A total of six leaf crops in three years were harvested and the analysed data revealed
that maximum leaf yield of3 .605 kg/plant was recorded with 67.5% ofleafmoisture content
due to the conservation measure and the control (2.984 kg/plant) with 60.5% ofleaf moisture
content. The additional quantity of leaf produced as compared to control was 0.621 kg/plant

42

Abstracts

showing an overall yield gain of 20.81 % over control is significant and the leaf maturity was
delayed by 8.5 days.
Pooled data of six tasar silkworm rearings with Daba B V revealed that an average yield
of 42.5 cocoons/dfl with 1.835 g of shell weight was obtained as compared to 34 cocoons/dfl
with 1.60 g of shell weight under control. The effect of water conservation management
along with application of vermicompost was found significant for most of the characters
analysed. Thus, it was felt imperative to adopt an in situ water conservation technique to
sustain the leaf yield and cocoon crop.

RWH/O-7
WATER MANAGEMENT: SOME STRATEGIES FOR SUSTAINING
LIVELmOOD IN SERICULTURE
Venkatesh Kumar, R and More, N.K.S

B. B . Ambedkar Central University, Lucknow

Efficient water management is one of the key areas of enhancing crop productivity all
over the world. Sericulture is having huge potential of improving livelihood of many resOurcepoor people, who depend largely on rainwater. However, waterlogging and water scarcity are
the twin problems in different seasons. Therefore, rainwater harvesting and ground water
recharge are urgently needed. The strategy designed is to empower the targets with new
knowledge and skills on water management for sericulture sustainability. Rainwater harvesting
and its utilization for mulberry production are discussed in the light of many tangible benefits
like ecological, social and economic besides employment generation.

RWH/O-8
COMPARATIVE ECONOMIC ANALYSIS OF IRRIGATION METHODS FOR
SUSTAINABLE QUALITY MULBERRY LEAF PRODUCTION
Murthuza Khan, Somashckar, H., Ramakrishna Naika, Fatima, S and Bhaskar, R. N
Sericulture College, VAS, Chintamani-563 125, Karnataka
A comparative economic analysis of drip and furrow system of irrigation ill mulberry
gardens was made in Kolar district, eastern dry zone of Karnataka. The study revealed that
total cost of irrigation per acre of mulberry garden was Rs. 45,521 and Rs. 59,510, in furrow
and drip irrigation system, respectively. However, the net return per acre was Rs. 2,479 in
furrow system and Rs. 28,163 in drip system of irrigation based on the average annual water
used for irrigation. An excess net return ofRs. 25,684 per acre in drip system could be used
to repay loan availed for installing the drip system. Cost - benefit ratio worked out separately
for furrow system (1 :1.06) and drip system (1 : 2.45) appears strongly in favour of drip irrigation
system.
The findings strongly recommend the importance of drip irrigation system for mulberry
gardens particularly in Kolar district wherein water is a scarce and costly input.
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National Seminar on Soil Health and Waler Management for Sustainable SericultlJre

RWHlO-9
SPATIAL ANALYSIS OF MULTIPLE DATA FOR MAPPING OF GROUND
WATER POTENTIAL IN DROUGHT AFFECTED TIPTUR TALUK,
TUMKUR DISTRICT, KARNATAKA

Hunse,T.M., Md.Najceb. K and Rajarajan., K

Central Ground Water Board, Bangalore
Demarcation of ground water potential zones was carried out on the basis of integrating
multiple thematic layers prepared with help of Satellite data and Aeromagnetic data using
weighted index overlay method. The occurrence and movement of ground water in hard rock
terrain is mainly controlled by the geology, geomorphology and tectonic history of the area.
Tiptur taluk ofTumkur District, Karnataka was under severe drought for last four years and
have experienced actuate drinking water shortage and crop failures. Geomorphology map,
Geological map and Lineament map were prepared using IRS-ID, LISS-III + PAN merged
data . Aeromagnetic breaks map was prepared for the study area using high altitude
Aeromagnetic contour roap. All these maps were Digitised in Map/Info GIS and codified.
These maps were integrated and ground water potential zones were demarcated into Poor,
Moderate, Good and Very Good zones. These zones were validated with borewells yield data
drilled in the area. The study reveals that the zones are matching with bore wells yield data.

44

SESSIONDI
RECYCLING OF SERI FARM RESIDUE FOR PROLIFIC
COMPOSTING,
Chairman

Dr. (Capt.) Kalanthri

Director
Directorate of Sericulture,
Maharashtra

Co-Chairpersons

Prof. Munirajappa
Chainnan, Dept. of Sericulture
Bangalore University, Bangalore
Dr. R.s. Mallikarjuoappa
Scientist D
KSSRDI, Bangalore

Oral Session
RSR/O-l - RSR/O-9 .

Poster session
RSRIP-l - RSR/P-9

Abstracts

Lead Paper
RECYCLING OF SElUCULTURAL FARM RESIDUE FOR
SUSTAINABLE MULBERRY PRODUCTION
Daodio, S.B., Das, P.K and Bhogesha, K
Central Sericultural Research and Training Institute, Mysore-8
Mulberry (Morus sp.) is a deep rooted, foliage yielding and fast growing perelmial crop
grown for its leaf as a lone source offeed in rearing of silkworm (Bomhyx mori L.). Mulberry
leaf production is highly dependent on supply of various inputs especially water, chemical
fertilizers and organic manures. It produces high biomass on supply of required inputs like
water (1.5 acre inch f crop Le. 35,000 gallons), chemical fertilizers and organic manure @
350:140:140 kg NPK and 20 MT farmyard manure fha/year. The cost of mulberry leaf
production is increasing every year because of the requirement of high and costly chemical
inputs. Approximately 60% of the total cost ofleafproduction is accounted for the consumption
of costly chemical fertilizers and fann yard manure. These inputs are becoming costlier day
by day due to escalating price and also becoming scarce. Hence, management of mulberry
garden for consistent and quality leaf production throughout the year for sustainable sericulture
has become a major concern to the sericulture farming community. In a situation like this,
supply of mulberry plant nutrients through recycling of sericultural farm residues as nutrient
rich organic manure has become highly imperative.
The mulberry cultivation can be made sustainable and economical by recycling all the
organic residues of sericultural origin as compost and vennicompost. Though, the response
of crops to chemical fertilizer is immediate, the role of organic manure in increasing the yield
cannot be under estimated especially in tropical countries like India, where the soils contain
less than one percent of organic matter. Ajudicious combination of the organic and inorganic
fertilizer can promote any agricultural crop production besides improving soil health
(Krishnamurthy, 1978). A sericultural farm of one hectare can generate approximately 11-1 2
MT of rearing residue atmually mainly through mulberry cultivation and silkworm rearing
considering an average leaf yield of 50MTIha/year and 23 % litter generation including
silkworm excreta and bed refuge from the same leaf biomass on rearing (Babu et,al 2005).
Further, in addition to availability of other farm residue (weeds etc.,) a total of 12-15 MT of
total organic residue is generated. This has potential plant nutrients value ranging from 200 240 kg of Nitrogen, 90 - 100 kg of Phosphorous and ISO -200 kg of Potassium besides
various micro nutrients (Das et. aI., 1997). Thus it is highly imperative that this huge quantity
of farm residue needs to be recycled properly for efficient utilization as nutrient rich organic
manure for improving the soil fertility and to boost the mulberry leaf production besides
improving physical and biological properties of soil.
There is a growing awareness and inclination of farmers towards organic fanning with
little or no use of chemical fertilizers . In this context also, recycling of sericultural farm
residue is inevitable for production of nutrient rich organic manure for mulberry cultivation
owing to scarcity of farm yard manure and its inferior quality. Keeping in view the energy
45

National Semjnar on Soil Health and Waler Management for Sustainable Sericu/tulY!

<irisis, prohibitive cost of chemical fertilizers and poor purchasing power of marginal and
small farmers today, it is imperative to develop strategy to use organic residues as manures to
its maximum potential with proper technology to meet the dual requirement of fertilizers and
for improving soil condition. Recycling of organic residue can be followed systematically
through two processes as composting and vermicomposting as detailed below.

Composting
Composting is an accelerated process ofbio-oxidation of organic matter passing through
thermophilic stage (45C - 60C), where innumerable number of micro organisms (mainly
bacteria, fungi and actinomycetes) liberate heat, carbon dioxide and moisture. Finally,
homogeneous and stabilized product (humus) is obtained through decorhposition. Composting
is an efficient way of waste management by reducing C:N ratio, bulkiness and increasing
nutrient content too. It is a biological process in which diverse and mixed group of
microorganisms breakdown organic materials to humus like substances. The importance of
this process was recognized centuries ago. One may frod reference to humus and its importance
as a factor contributing towards soil fertility in the literature of 18 1h as well as 191h centuries.
Acharya (l939) first successfully developed in India a method for the composting of town
refuge including vegetable waste and night soil in pits and suggested that anaerobic method
of composting is most suitable for handling large quantities of organic wastes. TIle standard
nutrient values of a good organic manure of different origin are depicted in Table-I . However,
composting can be followed by three different methods viz., 1) Anaerobic method (in pits),
2) Aerobic method (in above ground i.e.Windrows) and 3) Semi aerobic NADEP method
(perforated brick tanks constructed above ground).
The studies conducted at CSR&TI, Mysore and its nested units revealed that all the
above mentioned methods can be used for successful recycling of sericultural farm residues
in to nutrient rich compost.

Anaerobic composting:
In the anaerobic composting method, the organic residues comprising of silkwonl1 rearing
residue, left over leaf, tender shoots and farm weeds are collected and loaded layer by layer
in two pits of the size of 4.5 m x 1.5 m x 1.0 m each for one hectare mulberry farm . A quantity
of 200 - 300 g of single super phosphate / rock phosphate, 2-3 kg ash and 4 -5 buckets of
biogas spent slurry / cow dung slurry is added for each and every layer. The pits are then
closed after complete filling with approximately 5-6 tonnes of residues per pit and sealed
with mud for anaerobic process of decomposition. Watering is done in every 7-10 days to
keep the sealed materials wet to maintain adequate moisture for better microbial activities.
The pits should be invariably covered with a thatched shed to protect from direct sunlight and
rain. Similarly composting can also be followed in below ground concrete / mud plastered
pits of 4.5 m x 1.5 m x 1 . ~ m size below the ground with permanent shed overhead.

To enhance the decomposition process as well as to enrich the compost, lignocellulose

decomposing fungi like Trichoderma / Pleurotus sp and P-solubilizing organisms like
Aspergillus awamori, Penicillium digitetam, Bacillus megatherium, B.polymyxa and

46

Abs tracts

Psuedomonas striata etc., @ 500 g each / tonne of materials can also be added along with
organic residues (Manna and Ganguly, 2001). After 5-6 months, all the organic residue gets
decomposed and matured compost of good quality can be obtained (Table-2) . For better
results it is suggested to turn the residues upside down at least 2-3 times during 5-6 months.
It is possible to harvest 4 - 5 tones of compost annually from one such compost pit and
annuall y approximately 8-10 tones of compost / hectare.
Aerobic composting in above ground Windrows:
In WINDROW method, the materials as mentioned in the pit method can be piled up in
long windrows on compact earthen / cemented floor slightly elevated to avoid water logging
and charged with water and cow dung solution / biogas spent slurry. The piles are madc up to
4 -5 meters long with 2 meters wide base tapering at the top (1.0-1.5 m) and 1.0 meter
height. The piles are then covered with thin layer of soil or hay to retain the heat and moisture
and watered in every 4 - 5 days interval. Black polythene sheet can also be used for covering.
A small bund is built around the piles to protect them from sliding down. The piles are turned
2 - 3 times during entire process for hastening decomposition. After 5-6 months, all the
organic residue gets decomposed and good quality matured compost can be obtained (Table2).

NADEP METHOD :
In NADEP method as developed by Pandari Pande, an above ground brick tank of 4.5 m
X 1.5 m X 1.0 m size is constructed . The bricks are arranged alternately so as to leave a gap
between two bricks as ventilator on all the four walls for proper aeration. The gaps between
the bricks are made from 15-30 cm above the ground level of the wall up to the tip so that the
bottom portion of all the four sides remains closed. The bottom of the tank is plastered to
avoid leaching loss of the nutrients. The tank is filled with 5-6 tonnes of sericultural farm
residue layer by layer and treating with different inputs as describcd in the pit method and
charged with cow dung solution / biogas spent slurry. To enhance the decomposition process
as well as to enrich the compost various microbial cultures as mentioned in the pit method
can also be used. Finally the top layer of the materials is covered with a thin layer of soil to
avoid loss of moisture. After 5-6 months, the entire organic residue gets decomposed and
matured compost of good quality can be obtained (Table-2).

Windrow method

Pit Method

NADEP method

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National Seminar on Soil Healtlt and Water Management /01' Sustainable Sericulture

Quality of compost:
The studies conducted at CSR&TI, Mysore (Bhogesha et.al, 2005) revealed that the
quality of composts generated by different methods as described above varied from 10-13: I
C / N ratio, 1.9 - 2.0 % N, 0.89 - 0.98 % P and 1.81- 1.92 % K (Table-2). The microbial
population (bacteria, fungi and aClinomycetes) also varied in the composts generated by the
different methods. The population of bacteria, fungi and actinomycetes ranged from 7.90 8.56 x 10 8, 12.33 - 16.60x 10 7 and 13.33 -16.66 x 106 cfu / g of compost respectively(Table-2)
Merits and demerits:
The studies on the different methods of composting revealed that, the pit method of
compo sting was cheaper as less number of man power was required in the pit method as
compared to other t~o methods. Moreover, the pit method was also found to be highly
conducive for moisture conservation which lead to minimized use of water. Hygiene and
sanitation wise also, the pit method was more appropriate. Certain disadvantage like foul
odor restrained the use of frnal product immediately after harvest and therefore requires at
least a week time for curing the same under natural condition. However, the WINDROW and
NADEP methods also contribute a lot in the quality composts preparation though the
requirement of man power and water during the process is comparatively higher than the pit
method . The most advantage for WINDROW and NADEP methods is that the fInal product
generated do not emit any foul odor and thus can be applied immediately in the field.
The study clearly indicated that, anaerobic composting (in pit) of sericultural farm residue
is advantageous than other two methods as this can easily contain any serious disease outbreak
in a sericultural farm and maintains the hygienic environment for silkworm rearing and avoid
crop loss. The compost prepared out of sericultural farm residues can be a dependable
source of major and minor plant nutrients, to improve the soil fertility to produce good
quality leaf. Seri compost is eeo-friendly and cost effective and therefore, its use in mulberry
cultivation needs to be strengthened.
Economics:
Economically the composting of sericultural residue is also found to be cheap and
feasible as the cost benefit ratio works out to be 1: 1.28 with an internal rate of return of
21.92 percent (Table-3).
Vermicomposting:
Vermicomposting is a rapid method of conversion of any organic residue in to nutrient
rich organic manure by earthworms as versatile bioreactor. In this process, earthworms act as
compo sting agent in association with microorganisms to convert organic materials into fine
granules called vermicast. Vermicompost contains significant quantities of available plant
nutrients, a large benefIcial microbial population and biologically active metabolites which
are found to have immense influence in increasing yield and quality of diverse crops (Kale
et.al., 1992).

48

Ah.llracis

Technologies:
Vermicomposting of sericultural fann residue can be carried out by adopting the following
models. J) Low cost vermery consisting of a thatched shed made up of local materials and
eight below ground trenches measuring 2.4 m x 0.6 m x 0.45 m size each lined with polythene
sheet with a capacity of holding 450 - 500 kg semi-decomposed raw materials in each . This
is suitable for one hectare of mulberry farm. II) Fanner's model made up of stone slabs and
Mangalore tiled roofwith four above ground brick tanks measuring 3 m x 1.5 m x 0.90 m sizc
each baving capacity ofhoJding 1.5 - 1.8 MT semi-decomposed raw materials in each. This
model is also suitable for one hectare of mulberry farm III) Pai's model made up of two above
ground concrete tanks of the size 9 m x 1.8 m x 0.75 111 (12 .15 m J) each having capacity of
holding 8-10 tonnes of semi-decomposed raw materials and C01U1ected to two venniwash
collection pits at the back. Each tank is perforated from the middle all along the four walls for
aeration. The tanks are protected by permanent shed made up of asbestos roof supported by
iron poles from the ground. This model is highly suitable for large-scale sericulture fann.
In all the above mentioned models vermicompost can be made ready by two and half to
three months. By adopting the model -I it is possible to generate approximately 10 -12 tonnes
ofvennicompost / hectare annually in 3-4 cycles ofvermicomposting. The model-II (farmer'
model) has been recently popularized among the sericultural farmers of Kamataka, Tamil
Nadu and Andhra Pradesh under catalytic development programmme ofCSB and has received
wide popularity. By using this model it is possible to generate 10-15 tonnes ofvennicompost
annually. The third model (Pai's model) is suitable for largescale sericultural farmers having
more than two hectares of mulberry fann and silkwonn rearing round the year. By adopting
this model it is possible to generate approximately 25 - 30 tonnes ofvermieompost annually
by four cycles.
In respect of all the models mentioned above, the protocol ofvennicomposting remains
almost similar except the quantity of raw materials loaded. Organic residue comprising of
silkwonn litter, bed refuse and fann weeds etc., are fIrst loaded in a open pit / trench and
charged :with sufflcient amount of water mixed with cow dung or biogas spent slurry and left
for 25- 30 days for semi decomposition. This serves as starter feed for earthworms. The
vcnniculturc units as mentioned above are then loaded with semi-decomposed feed as per tbe
size and capacity of the models as vermibed . Mixed culture of earthwonns (Eudrillus eugineae,
Eiseniajoetida and Perionyx excavatus) in juvenile stage @ 1.5 kg population per tonne of
residue is then released in each case. Water is sprinkled once in cvery 2-3 days to maintain
sufficient moisture (30 - 40%) and covered with dry weeds to prevent moisture loss and left
undisturbed. All care should be taken to prevent predators. Worms start depositing brown to
black coloured vermicasts on the top of the feed in 1-2 weeks. Once the vermicast is detected
watering is stopped for drying and easy collection ofvem1icasts. The vermicast is harvested
from each model by scraping the top layer (6 inches) with the heJp of a garden rake after
every week. The conversion of wastes into vermicompost may range from 65 - 80 % of the
raw materials in different venni units. In a span of 60 - 70 days from the release of earthworms,
the entire semi decomposed residue will be converted in to vennicasts. The cycle can be

49

National Seminar on Soil HaIth and Water Management / or Sustainable Sericullure

repeated

2~3

times in a year with the new feed .

Farmers' model

Model-l

Pai's model

Womens' involvement in vermiculture

Quality of vermicompost:

The final product as vermicompost produced out of sericultural farm residue contains
1.8-2.0% nitrogen, 0.6-0 .9 % phosphorus and 1.0 - 1.5 % potash besides various micronutrients
and microorganisms and found to be much superior than farmyard manure (Table-4) .
Economics:

Economically the vermicomposting of sericultural residue is found to be much more

gainful than composting technology as the cost benefit ratio works out to be 1: 1.43 with an
internal rate of return of 42 percent (Table~ 5).
Conclusion:

Hence, it is highly necessary that a suitable system be developed in sericultural farms

for better and efficient management of the farm residues through recycling techniques like
production of compost, vermicompost to make sericulture more remunerative. It is highly
necessary to involve women force in vermiculture to create more awareness for private
entrepreneurshi p.
In recently concluded National Seminar on compo sting and :vermicomposting held at
CSR&TI, Mysore on 26-27 th October, 2005 following points were recommended.

50

Ab.\(r(l('(.\

);> Certification of compost and vennicompost for a minimum standard of nutrient contents

indicating absence of toxins and heavy metals has to be a mandate. Price nonns have
to be observed and monitored based on cost of production and nutrients availability.
SWOT analysis has to be given importance. Towards this, the scientists have to make
in depth studies for recommendations to Standard Committee.
);> Mechanization of compo sting and vennicomposting needs to be addressed in crushing,
degrading and milling of heterogeneous organic matter. They should be made available
to
);> farmers on hire-basis through Panchayats with norms to be fixed by lnstitute- Engineers
and other scientists on a special committee.
);> Composting and Vennicomposting being pillars of a foundation for Sustainability,
and sericulture industry being the harbingers of removal of poverty, all out efforts to
develop these into strong economy should be made by the Central and State
Govenunents.lmproving our soil fertility should be on a mission-mode like watershed
programme.

REFERENCES
Acharya, C.N. (1939) Comparison of difTerent mcthods of compo. ting of waste materials.
Indian.!. Agric. Sci., 9: 567 - 72.
Babu, G.K.S., Chandrakant , K.S. and Mathur V.B (2005) Cocoon production and biomass
for recycling from one hectare mulberry garden. Personal communication CRTI,
CSR&Tl, Mysore).
Bhogesha, K., Das,P.K., Vedavyasa,K., C howdary , N.B., Dasappa and Rajanna,L (2005)
Evaluation of different methods of compo sting by recycling serifann residues.
Compiled proceedings o/National Semillar on composling & vermicomposfing,
CSR& rI, Mysore (26 'h _27tll October) pp: Ill-lIS .
Das, P.K., Bhogesha, K., Sunderaswaran, P. , Madhuvarao, YR. and Shanna.D.D. (1997)
Venniculturc : Scope & Potentialilty In Sericulture. Jnd.Silk, 36(2): 23-26.
Kale, R .D., MaHesh , B.C.; Bano,K. and Bagyaraj , D.J .( 1992) Influence ofvennicompost
application on the available macro nutrients and selected microbial population in
paddy field. Soil Biol.Biochem, 24:1317-1320
Krishnamurthy, R. (1978) A manual on compost and other organic manures, Today and
tomorrow Printers and publishers pp. 1 - 83.
Manna,M .C., Ganguly,T.K (2001) Composting - An enrichment technology. Agriculture
Today, May-2001 , pp.23-25 .

51

National Seminar on Soil Health alld Water Managemellt for Sustainable Sericulture

Table-I: Standard nutrient (NPK) values in good organic manures of different origin.

Sources of organic manure

Rural compost (dry)
Urban compost (dry)
Farmyard manure (dry)

Nitrogen
(N)
0.5-1.0
0.7-2.0
0.4- 1.5

Content (%)
Phosphorus
(P205)
0.4-0.8
0.9-3.0
0.3-0.9

Potash
(K20)
0.8-1.2
1.0-2.0
0.3 - 1.9

Source: Hand book of Agriculture (rCAR publication, New Delhi - 1969)

Table:2. Physical, chemical and microbiological properties of seri- compost as

influenced by different methods.
()arameters

Methods of composting
.Windrow
NADEP
Black
Brownish black
Blackish brown
Moist and sticky
Pulverized
Amorphous
39.20
33.56
38.20
2.00
1.90
1.92
0.98
0.89
0.93
1.92
l.81
1.88
13 : 1
JO:1
12:1
8.56
8.13
7.90
16.60
12.33
15.66
16.66
13.66
13.33

Pit

Color
Texture
Moisture (%)
Nitrogen (%)
Phosphorous (%)
Potash (%)
C:N ratio
Bacteria (efu/gX lOx)
Fungi (cfu/g X 10 ')
Actinomycetes (cfulg X 10 II)

52

Abstracts

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53

National Seminar on Soil Heal,;) and Water Management Jor Sustainable Sericulture

Table4: A comparative account of nutrient contents and

microbial population between vermicompost and FYM
Components

N(%)
P{%)
K(%)

Zn (ppm)
Cu (ppm)
Mn (ppm)
Fe (ppm)

Fungi (cru /g x. 10")

Bacteria (cfu Ig xl 0 ')
Actinomycetes (cfu /g x )O~)
Azotobacter (cru If!. x 10~)

54

Vermi compost
1.8 - 2.0
0.6 - 0.9
1.0 - 1.6
84.0
61.5
509.7
1247.3
8.4
0.25

1.3
10.2

FYM
0.3 0 - 0.6 0
0.15 - 0.40
0.30 - 0.50
14.50
42.80
69.00
1465.00
5.8
0.05
0.21
2.45

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55

National Seminar on Soil Health and Water Management for Sustainable Sericllltllre

RSR/O-l
.
PRODUCTION OF VERMICOMPOST IN INTEGRATED MULBERRY
CULTIVATION APPROACH
Veeraiab, T.M and Subrabmanyam, M.R
Regional Sericultural Research Station, Kodathi, Bangalore-560 035

India's green revolution can be contributed largely to the use of chemical fertilizers.
This has been promoted by large amounts of subsidiary which has led to the indiscriminate
use of chemical fertilizers. A large concentration of mineral nitrogen and potassium in soil
disturbs biological relationships between soil, plants and human health. In many fruits and
vegetables the nitrate and heavy metal contents have exceeded their permissible levels. It is
possible to prevent this by replacing chemical fertilizers with vennicompost. In addition to
nutrients vermicompost provides better aeration, water retention capacity and many other
benefits to the soils. Vermicast on subsequent use provides more nutrients than regular
fertilizers due to its sustained release capacity.
One of the most important instruments in vermicompost is earth worms. They are the
best known soil creatures and are handy as they are numerous in all types of soils, big, easy
to find, identify and to culture.
Organic farming requires a very high level of soil fertility which equates to continuous
inputs of large quantities of humus. The most economic way of production of such compost
is from raw organic materials i.e. , sericulture residues, farm weeds, avenue debris etc.
Composting is the process of controlled decomposition of raw materials with the help of
micro-organisms, earth worms etc. The raw materials for composting should be a source of
cellulose (carbohydrates), protein, lignin and water. Mulberry branches obtained from shoot
feeding method along with rearing residue are a rich source of lignin. Presently, the huge
share of this bio-mass is being un-utilized and wasted as fuel in the farming community.
Vermi-composting is one of the best method of on site solid waste management where by it is
subjected to decomposition with the help of earth worms resulting in a humus like material.
This technique of composting of wastes within 50-60 days using earth worms as bio-reactors
is found to be highly remunerable residues and eco-friendly in sericulture.
Considering the above facts, a module has been developed at RSRS , Kodathi for one
hectare of mulberry garden. Details of the available total bio-mass and its conversion as
vermicompost along with the economics ofvermi-composting is discussed in detail. The biomass utilized included dangerous weeds such as Parthenium, Cyperus, hariyali grass etc.,
locally generated farm biomass in addition to silkworm rearing residue, mulberry shoot biomass, farm weeds etc. It is found that the conversion ofbio-mass to vermicompost is around
60 percent. The economics worked out revealed a cost benefit ratio of 1:2.3 . In addition to
this vermi-wash realized as a by product from vennicompost pit is a rich source of plant
nutrients and can be effectively used as a foliar nutrition to mulberry plant as well as other
crops. The technique developed has resulted in efficient utilization of farm resources and
also helped in efficient farm waste management
56

Abstracts

RSRlO-2
USE OF F ORTIFIED VERMICOMPOST FOR IMPROVEMENT OF SOIL
HEALTH AND FERTILITY OF MULBERRY GARDEN
Bhogesha, K, Das, P.K., Chowdary, N.B and Vedavysa, K
Central Sericultural Research and Training Institute, My ore - 570008
Vermicompost with its high available NPK contents besides presence of various
micronutrients and high moisture holding capacity provides a very congenial environment
for the growth and multiplication of beneficial microorganisms (bacteria, fungi and
actinomycetes).lt can profitably be enriched with beneficial microorganisms such as nitrogen
fixers and phosphate solubilizers. An experiment was conducted to improve the microbial
and nutrient status of vermicompost by enriching with Azotohacter chrococoum, Bacillus
megatherium, Ihchoderma harzianum, Tviride, rock phosphate and poultry manure . Both
the fortified and non fortified vermicompost samples were subjected for microbial and NPK
analysis. The data clearly indir;ated a significant improvement in microbial and NPK status
in fortified samples as compared to unfortified vermicompost. Significant increase in soil
NPK and microflora was also observed due to application of fortified vermicompost. A drastic
increase of antagonistic microorganisms in soil was also observed duc to application of fortified
vermicompost indicating a special feature of fortified vermicompost fighting against soil
pathogcns. Thus, the experiment showed that vermicompost with suitable enriclunent can be
a viable alternative organic source for enhancing soil health and fertility of mulberry garden
for sustainable sericulture. The authors discuss in this paper, the viability of fortified
vermicompost in mulberry production.
RSRlO-3
VERMICULTURE FOR SUSTAlNABILITY OF SERICULTURAL INCOME AND
SOIL FERTILITY - A STUDY IN THE SEMI ARID CONDITIONS OF CIDTTOOR
DISTRICT IN ANDHRA PRADESH.
Deepa, P., Venkata Reddy, VI and Sujathamma. P
Sri Padmavathi Mahila Visvavidyalayam, Tirupathi
Ip2 Basic Seed Farm, National Silkworm Seed Organisation, Horsley Hills.
In the process of silk production various kinds of wastes are produced at different stages.
All sericultural wastes are recycled as vermicompost as an alternative manure for chemical
fertilizers thereby involving no or less external inputs and more income. Increase in average
yield ef seed cocoons from 33,430 to 43,712 by number and 48 .160 kg to 76 .000 kg by
weight was recorded from the rearings ofCSR 2 without any chemical fertilizers or pesticides
in the farm. Organic farming is given priority because of the exten ive use of chemical fertilizers
over the years which has damaged the soil condition and led to increase in salinity of soil,
which in tum resulted in poor yield and gradually diminishing returns. To restore soil fertility
and productivity, the locally available material inputs were found the need of the hour. Even
though the idea of recycling the farm wastes with the help of earthworms was gaining
momentum from 1995 onwards, the survey conducted in the semi-arid conditions of Chino or
57

National Seminar on Soil Health and Water Mallagement Jor Sustainable Sericullure

di$trict showed that the technologies such as soil testing, biofertilizer application, compost
making and vermi composting were less popular among farmers. If the vermi culture can be
motivated at the small farmer level, it will be a grand success to address methodologies for
sustainable sericulture.
RSRlO-4
COMMERCIAL PRODUCTION OF VERMI-COMPOST USING COW DUNG
AND FYM FROM A DAffiY FARM

Venkatcsh, GK.O, Samuthiravelu, pI and Qadri, S.M.H2

Jaya Anand Organic Fertilizer Co., SriviIliputtur
IResearch Extension Center, Hosur
2Regional Sericultural Research Station, Salem
Recently fanners in parts ofVirudhunagar district, Tamil Nadu are using biopesticides,
biofertiJizers and organic fertilizers viz., biocompost and vennicompost extensively in view
of the hazards and high cost of synthetic fertilizers. Dairy farms were started for producing
Itlilk and marketing to Co-operative Milk Producers' Society and for the production of
vennicompost. The vermicompost shed was established in a size of 60 x 40' with asbestos
sheet roofing having 46 cement plastered vermicompost pits (2 .5' x 2' x 20 '). From thc dairy
farm about 162 MT cow dung and FYM could be collected annually from 30 dairy animals
and utilized for vennicompost, and the remaining quantity of 169 MT was collected from
outside @ Rs. 3501MT. Initially for every MT of cow dung and FYM 5 kg of earth worms
was introduced. EvelY 50 days about 46 MT of cow dung and FYM were filled in the pit and
harvested 31 MT of vermicompost. Annually, about 225 MT vermicompost was produced
and sold to the farmers in the southern districts of Tamil Nadu as 50 kg bag. The nutrient
status of vermicompost and economics were worked out.
RSRlO-5
ROLE OF RECYCLED SERI-FARM WASTE COMPOST ON GROWTH, YIELD
AND QUALITY OF MULBERRY UNDER RAIN FED CONDITION

Setua, GC., Bancrjee, N.D I ., Sengupta, T and Saratchandra, B2

Central Sericultural Research & Training Institute, Berhampore - 742 lOI
IRegional Sericultural Research Station, Ranehi
lCentral Silk Board, Bangalore - 560 068
A field experiment was conducted for two years at CSR&Tl, Berhampore to study the
efficacy of compost, prepared through the improved method of recycling of seri-farm residues
vis-a-vis FYM (cowdung), purchased from the market, on growth, leaf yield and quality
attributes of mulberry variety S-1 under rainfed, alluvial soil conditions of Gangetic plain.
The pH of the soil was 6.89 and soil moisture in dry seasons (November-April) was 15.95%.
Analysis of pooled data for 8 seasons revealed that improved compost in combination with
N, P and K significantly increased the leaf quality viz. total soluble sugar, N, P and K uptake
by leaves of mulberry, while growth attributes, leaf yield and total soluble protein content in
58

Abstracl.l

leafwere found similar with FYM (cowdung). Therefore, the improved method ofcomposting
with seri-farm residues and its application in mulberry have been found to be potential in
respect of leaf quality in comparison with FYM. Thus, the farmers may be able to produce
the quality compost following the improved method of preparation as described in the
experiment with seri-farm residues obtained from own mulberry garden and rearing and may
also become self sufficient in production and application of compost.
RSRJO-6
COMPOSTING METHODOLOGY: A COMPARATIVE STUDY
ON THE QUALITY AND ECONOMICS

Subrahmanyam, M. R., Anantha Raman, K. V., Sudhakar, P and Vecraiah, T.M

Regional Sericulture Research Station, Kodathi, Bangalore
Indiscriminate use of chemical fertilizers in mulberry to achieve maximum leaf yield
has resulted in deficiency in micronutrients in the soil and environmental degradation. Due
to escalating cost of fertilizers on one side and scarcity of farmyard manure on the other, the
cost of production of cocoons has increased considerably.
The potential of composting to turn sericulture residue and other farm wastes into valueadded manure is an attractive proposition. Composting offers several benefits, such as enhanced
soil fertility and soil health, improving soil bio-diversity and aiming at a better environment.
Conventional composting practices take more than six months. Hence, an attempt was made
to improve the methodology and to work out thc production cost correlated with the time
required and quality of compost by using different bio-wastes of agro-industries and farm
wastes. An easy and economic composting module has been designed for propagation among
the sericulture farming community. Composting as a commercial activity is also projected.
RSRJO-7
COMPOSTING OF SERl-FARM RESIDUE BY USING DECOMPOSER
MICROBIAL CONSORTIUM

Hemanthkumar, Ravikumar, J., Vijayakumar, R., Jayaraj, SI, Masilamani, SZ., Qadri,
S.M.IP., Choudary, N.B3 and Munirathnam Reddy)
Research Extension Centre, Krislmagiri.
IS . Jayaraj Research Foundation, Chennai - 600 042
Regional Sericultural Research Station, Salem.
Central Sericultural Research & Training Institute, Mysore
Proper soil management with out interrupting soil health/wealth is a right direction for
obtaining higher productivity in sericulture. Application of organic and inorganic inputs at
sub-optimal doses due to its high cost leads to deficiency in soil nutrients. This situation
urges scientists, policy makers and farming community to recycle the crop residues effectively
by decomposing it with bio agents. In this study, Decomposer Microbial Consortium (DMC)
developed at TNAU, Coimbatore which consists of six micro organisms viz., Bacillus, Yeast,
59

National Seminar on Soil Health and Water Managemelll for Sustainable Sericullure

Clostridium, Pleurotus, Trichoderma, and Phanerochaetes was used for decomposition. One
kg ofDMC was mixed with one ton of moistened seri farm residues along with 50 kg of cow
dung. Initial composting was ready in 45 days. Data on N, P, K content, microbial load and its
effect on mulberry growth was collected and found better than conventional FYM.
RSR/O-8
EFFECTIVE RECYCLING OF SILKWORM LITTER FOR GENERATION OF
BIOGAS AND NUTRIENT ENRICHED COMPOST

Srinivasa Rao, T.V.S., Harihara Raju, A., Lavanyalatha, K.,

Chandrasekhara Reddy, D., Krishna Rao, J.V and Jayaraj, SI
Regional Sericultural Research Station, Anantapur - 515 001
IS. Jayaraj Research Foundation, Chennai - 600 042
Mulberry plant is exploited mainly for commercial production of silk. The quality of
mulberry leaf alone contributes to the tune of 38.2% for the success of silkworm crops. In
the present day shortage of fire-wood, about 60% of cow dung in rural India is utilized for
fuel purpose and very less quantity is left for production of FYM. The quality of FYM
produced is also very poor. Indiscriminate and improper disposal of sericulture residue,
especially silkworm litter, may be the possible reason for spread of pathogens and frequent
cocoon crop failures . Hence, a study was made for proper recycling of silkworm litter and
production of nutrient-enriched compost at farmers' level. Simultaneously, establishment of
biogas plants of 1 m 3 size was taken up with financial assistance of NED CAP, Anantapur to
the project farmers of Pydeti and Pulakunta villages in Parigi and Hindupur mandals,
respectively, to overcome the shortage of fuel with an eco-friendly approach. The rural
housewife could be free from smoke and soot from the conventional fuel and at the same
time the nutrient-enriched biogas sludge manure could be produced by the farmer. Use of
biocontro1 agent, Trichoderma viride was also introduced in the project farmers' fields for
the control of mulberry root rot. The studies indicate economic benefit to the rural farmers .
RSR/O-9

ENRICHMENT OF SOIL THROUGH VERMICOMPOSTING

Sharad Pai
Managing Director, Aquabiotech, Be1gaum
(Abstract not received)

60

Abstracts

P OSTER SESSION
RSR/P-l
WINDROW METHOD OF COMPOSTING - AN APPROPRIATE TECHNOLOGY
FOR LARGE SCALE FARMING SYSTEM
Veeraiah, T.M aDd Subrahmanyam, M.R
Regional Sericultural Research Station, Kodathi, Bangalore-560 035
Composting is a sustainable technology of organic waste management. Organic matter
recycling has been in use in India for centuries. In the early twentieth century scientific
methods for converting low value organic matter into high value organic composts were
developed. The usage of earthworms for recycling of organic matter became the focus of
attention by scientific community in recent past for different methods of composting . Windrow
is the most economic and efficient Seri-farm residue management system. This method helps
in free flow of oxygen besides, maintaining temperature in the proper range as the pile can be
frequently turned, which facilitates required environment for the micro-organisms for efficient
conversion of biodegradable organic matter in to compost. High earthworm multiplication
rate can also be obtained. FUlther the required CfN ratio can also be maintained for economic
production of compost. Windrow method requires very low initial investment and can be
done in open areas under the tree shade. Wide range of farm waste can be used as a raw
material. In principle each raw material will have definite decomposition period and after
completion of its fmal compost it should be used as manure to its optimum utilization. In
conventional pit system the early decomposed material lose its nutritive value which is
happcning mostly in present composting methods . The method of windrow construction
along with its economics is discussed in detail.

RSR/P-2
IMPACT OF USE OF VERMlCOMPOST ON MULBERRY LEAF AND COCOON
YIELD IN CHAMARAJANAGAR AGROCLIMATIC CONDITIONS IN
KARNATAKA
Gururaj, R, Magadum, S.B and DaDdin, S.B'
Regional Sericultural Research Station, Chamarajanagar
'Central Sericultural Research and Training Institute, Mysore
Majority of sericulturists in Chamarajanagar District, Kamataka are either small or
marginal farmers, and do 110t apply the recommended quantity of organic manures and chemical
fertilizers. Drought is a regular feature due to scanty rainfall . The soils are either alkaline or
saline resulting in poor leaf yield and quality. Lack of adequate application ofFYM and other
organic manures make the soil less productive. In order to minimize such constraints,
vermicompost technology was introduced through participation of 54 sericulturists under
IVLP to recycle their fann and sericulture residue. TIle study was conducted with irrigated
and rainfed sericulturists to know its impact on mulberry leaf and cocoon yield for five crops
in a period of one year. The data were collected on the leaf yield; quantity of Dfls brushed
61

National Seminar on Soil Health alld Water Managemelll for Sustainable Sericulture

b~fore

and after application ofvermicompost and silkworm crop performance. The analyzed
data on mulberry indicated that the leaf production in treated garden was significantly higher
i.e., 2117 kg/ac/crop in irrigated M-5 mulberry, 2892 kg/ac/crop in VI variety and 1350 kg /
ac/crop in rainfed M-5 gardens in comparison to yield of 1772 kg, 2417 kg and 1080 kg/ac/
crop respectively without vermicompost application. The average cocoon yield was also
significantly increased from 51.20, 58.42 and 50.08 kg to 56.91,62.46 kg in irrigated M5 and
VI and 35.46 kg in rainfed M5 respectively. This resulted in higher returns. This is attributed
to the enhancement of organic matter and fertility in the soil, thereby improving mulberry
leaf as well as cocoon yield under fanners' situations.
RSR/P-3
RECYCLING OF SERI ORGANIC WASTE THROUGH
VERMlCOMPOSTING IN SUBTROPICS

Juyal, A.C., Chakraharti, Sand Rajat Mohan

Regional Sericultural Research Station, Luxmipur-248197
Sahaspur, Dehradun, Uttaranchal
As the sericulture wastes have high nutritive values and can be easily converted into
nutrient-rich organic manure by application of vermicomposting technology. The
vermicomposting can promote the luxuriant growth of mulberry leaves leading to better quality
and productivity. The present paper deals with the role of vermicomposting technique for
recycling of seri - organic wastes for better soil health and quality production.
RSRIP-4
INTRODUCTION AND POPULARIZATION OF VERMICOMPOSTING
TECHNOLOGY IN THE EASTERN GHAT TRffiALAREAS OF ORISSA

Sahu, R, Brahma, K.c., Rao, K.V.S., Saxena, N.N and Sarkar, AI

Regional Sericultural Research Station, Koraput
I Central Sericultural Research & Training Institute, Berhampore
Rainfed habitats are generally infertile and prone to degradation process, thus causing
pennanent damage to ecosystem. Therefore appropriate agro-techniques should be developed
to sustain mulberrJ production. Eastern Ghat tribal fanners are resource poor and apply very
low quantities of FYM and chemical fertilizers resulting in poor mulberry leaf yield. To
overcome these constraints vermicomposting technology was adopted for recycling the
Serifarm waste.
At present the vermicompost productivity ranged from 1.7 to 2.0 MT per farmer and
thus became self sufficient in organic manure for their 0.5 acre mulberry holding.

62

Abstracts

RSRJP-5
INFLUENCE OF VERMIWASH ON MULBERRY PRODUCTIVITY AND
SILKWORM REARING
Sudhakar, P., Subrahmanyam, M.R and Veeraiah, T.M
Regional Sericulture Research Station, Central Silk Board, Kodathi , Bangalore
Long term sustainability of agricultural production has now become a global concern,
and attempts are being made to fmd out suitable measures through integrated uses of different
sources of plant nutrients, especially various organic manures. Unique capability of certain
species of earthworms to utilize varied organic materials helps in production of nutrient-rich
venn in-compost within a short period. Also, vermin-washes generated are rich in nutrients
enriched with myriads of beneficial micro-flora, and this has not yet been fully exploited.
Studies carried out on vermin-wash as foliar spray on mulberry revealcd that it was able to
enhance mulberry leaf and cocoon production significantly.
Foliar application of vermin-wash at 3,5 and 7% with 50% reduced levels ofN fertilizer
and addition of Azotobacter biofertilizer @ 20 kg/halyr as basal application along with
vermicompost of 10 MT has not only improved the quality and productivity of mulberry leaf
but in tum enhanced the silkworm cocoon productivity.

RSRJP-6
QUANTIFICATION AND USE PATTERN OF SERl-FARM WASTE IN
IRRIGATED PRODUCTION SYSTEMS IN SIDLAGHATTAKOLAR DISTRICT
Jagadish, N., Chinnaswamy, K.P., Fatima, S. and Rashmi, K
University of Agricultural Science, GKVK, Bangalore-65
A survey was conducted in the irrigated seri agro-ecosystem of Sidlaghatta tal uk of
Kolar District of Kama taka on the availability of seri-farm wastes and their utilization pattern
in production system. Totally 54 farmers , 18 each of MalJur, Thaledimbanahalli and
Sonnenahalli villages were interviewed with structured questionnaire. In sericulture system
the major by-products are, mulberry shoots and silkworm litter (left out unfed mulberry leaves,
small branches and silkworm excreta). The data collected revealed that among the 54 fanners
in Sidlaghatta area, 27 (50%) and 15 (27.78%) fanners were using mulberry shoots as a
source for vegetative propagation and mulching, respectively. While, 27 (50%) and 39
(72.22%) farmers are using mulberry shoots as a source of cattle feed, fuel and composting.
Among the 54 fanners, 29 (53.70%),17 (31.48%) and 8 (14.82%) farmers obtained 7.5
to 14.2,7.4 and 14.3 MT ofleft out shoot, whereas, 31 (57.40%), 14 (25.92%) and 9 (16.68%)
fanners obtaining and 3.09 to 6.07, <3.08 and >6.08 MT of leaf waste, respectively, which in
turn was used as cattle feed and also as manure. Out of 54 farmers, 26 (48 .14%), 18 (33 .33%)
and 10 (18 .53%) farmers recovered 1.08 to 2.16 MT <1.07 t. and >2.07 MT silkworm excreta
/year, respectively, and used as a potential source for biogas production. Sericulture byproducts
should be used effectively in the production system to reap additional benefits.
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National Seminar on Soil Health and Waler Management for Sustainable Sericulcure

RSR/P-7
ROLE OF TRANSITION PHASE IN RECYCLING OF
SERICULTURE WASTE
Dutta, R.N., Kamble, C.K., Jayappa, T and Philomena, K.L
Silkworm Seed Technology laboratory, Kodathi, Bangalore-35
In the tropical sericulture there is immense waste ofleaf(8 -15%) due to its poor quality
as well as most of leaf was produced at the bottom of the plant which are not fed to the
. silkworm . Due to large biomass produced by different mulberry varieties, availability of crop
wastes, silkworm litter and growing of green manure, there is ample opportunity to recycle
the organic matter in a programmed way to optimize the nutrient availability in the soil. The
chance of nutrient loss at every step is natural which can be minimized by immediate processing
of the biomass in the biogeochemical cycle. This cycle is always in vogue whichever way it
is practiced . However, the nutrient value of the organic matter produced in different ways for
. soil application varies. Therefore, the very important i.e., nutrient nitrogen content, is variable
in different sources of FYM, compost and verrnicompost prepared. Proper recycling tends
towards converging narrow range of variation and the method to minimize the " transition
phases" in recycling seri -waste is suggested.

RSRIP-8
A SAGA OF VERMICOMPOSTING IN MULBERRY GARDENS OF
WEST GODAVARI, ANDHRA PRADESH
Malakonda Reddy, B., Damodara Naidu, WI., Anand, B.V.Vaod Sharma, V.L.N
Department of Sericulture, Eluru
'Research Extension Centre, Eluru, West Godavari distict - 534 006
In recent years, the role of vermicompost in improving the soil fertility and health is
well recognized by the farmers . They have started applying vermi-castings in their V-l
mulberry gardens and are producing the compost on small scale and commercial levels. The
present study was conducted with 20 farmers during 2005-06. They were supplied with
vermicompost (2.0 MT/acre) initially as well as supported for the construction 17 units. The
annual production of vermi-castings at farmers level ranged from 8.0-10.0 MT/unit with four
tanks each measuring 3.0 x 1.5 x 0.90 m size). After application ofvermicompost, significant
increase was recorded in leaf yield (10-15%), DFLs brushing capacity (15-20%), cocoon
yield (10-12%) and in terms of cocoon price (10-15%). Production oftbe castings on his own
has saved the sericulture farmer about Rs. 2000 for one application (two applications per
annum) besides enabling recycling of the seri-residues, thereby increasing net returns.

64

A bs tr(J cts

RSR/P-9
UTILIZATION OF MUGA SILKWORM PUPAE FOR COMPOSTING
Geetishree Saikia
St. Mary 's College, Shillong-793003
The muga silkworm is reared extensively in Assam and Meghalaya. About 80% of the
total muga cocoons is transported to Sualkuchi, 35 km from Guwahati, Assam . The availability
and utility in terms of compost making was evaluated. The average amount of waste pupae
available daily at Sualkuchi is about 650 kg in dry weight. The crude protein and soluble
protein were estimated by Kjeldahl and Lowry's methods, respectively. Certain elements like
P (5 .7 mg/g); Ca (2 mg/g); Fe (6.8 mg/g); Mg (3.6 mg/g) and Mn (0.75 mg/g) were evaluated
by Atomic absorption Spectrometry. About 60% crude protein and 40% so lubl e protein was
obtained from the waste. About 15 g of compost (5 month old) was added in soil per seedling
of Machi/us bombycina , at an interval of 3 months and the leaf protein was much higher than
the NPK fertilizer application to M. bombycina of the same age group. It is concluded that
the waste pupae can be used for compost making for the muga farming system .

65

SESSION IV
INTEGRATED NUTRIENT, PEST AND FARMING SYSTEMS
MANAGEMENT IN SERICULTURE.
Chairman

Prof. S. Jayaraj
Former Vice-Chancellor,
TNAU, Coirnbatore

Co-Chairpersons

Dr. S.M.H. Quadri

Joint Director
RSRS, Salem
Dr. J.v. Krishna Rao
Joint Director
RSRS, Anantapur

Oral Session
JNM/O-l

JNM/O-34

Poster session
INMIP-l

INMIP-44

Abstracts

Lead Paper
INTEGRATED NUTRIENT AND PEST MANAGEMENT FOR SUSTAINABLE
SERlCULTURE

S. Jayaraj
Sustainable Fann and Rural Development Centre
S. Jayaraj Research Foundation, Chennai 600 042
1. Introduction

India's economy is largely dependent on the success of agriculture and allied farm
activities, as more than 70% of the people's livelihood security is depending on this sector.
About 35% of our national income comes from fann sector. Agriculture is occupying a unique
place, as it is both income and employment generating. The breakthrough in sericultural
development was mainly due to the introduction of many silkwonn hybrids and high yielding
varieties of mulberry, and adoption of improved leaf and cocoon production technologies.
There is not much scope to increasc the cropped area, and necessarily we have to increase the
productivity and that too from less and Icss of land and water resources . The emphasis has
been to increase the sericultural productivity, improve cocoon quality, reduce production
costs, and increase profitability to the fanners .
Of late, there have been frequent spells of severe drought and attack by pests and
pathogens affecting our sericultural production targets, which causes much alann to the policy
makers . Natural resources are over-exploited and degraded, and sericulture has been
chemicalized excessively. This has led to poor sustainability of sericultural production. Though
the value of non-chemical methods and Integrated Pest Management (!PM) in sustainable
sericulture has been well recognized, very little is being adopted at field level. Several
pesticide-related environmental problems have become aggravated.
2. Input Use Efficiency
According to Swaminathan (2002), the inefficient use of inputs, particularly water,
nutrients and pesticides, is increasing the cost of cultivation, without any corresponding yield
dividend. He suggested establishing agro-cJinics for remuncrative self-employment of fann
graduates, who can produce and sell biopesticides needed for lPM and gainfully self-employed .
Special priority should be given to creating the necessary infrastructure immediately in the
case of export of fann products, where we have a comparative advantage.
Panjab Singh (2002) considered that the decline in the growth rate of total as well as
partial factor productivity of inputs in the highly productive regions of the country and
suggested that basic resources (like soil and water) are getting fatigued and sustainability
through integrated use of inputs is called upon. Pollution of soil, water, air, biomass and
production of greenhouse gases is also related to the inefficient use of agro-chemicals and
agro-inputs. By 2020, agriculture is intended to become not merely an efficient, eco-friendly
production system, capable of meeting basic demands of the rapidly increasing population,
but it has to become a major powerful instrument for a comprehensive socio-economic

67

National Seminar on Soil Health and Water Management for Sustainable Sericulture

transformation of the country, including improvement in the quality of Ii fe of every indi vidual.
2.1. Chemicalization of Sericulture
The farmers have depended upon the use of chemical fertilizers and pesticides to a large
extent in the recent past and adequate quantity ofFYM of good quality is nol produced. As a
consequence, many environmental problems have resulted such as destruction of beneficial
organisms like parasitoids, predators, etc., and pesticide residue in water, fodder, etc., among
other things. In this context there has been considerable global awareness on the toxicity
problems of chemical pesticides and on the need for evolving more and more non-chemical
methods of control in the overall concept of IPM. Conservation an~ augmentation of the
biocontrol agents is one of the important pest management approaches:and quite a few agents
have been developed as biopesticides. They are environmentally safe and compatible with
other IPM tactics, and many of them are easy to produce and use.
Many industrialized countries have enforced stringent pesticide regulations and
developed alternative pest management approaches as a result of which pesticide use in these
countries has shown a declining trend. Consequently, the magnitude of pesticide contamination
in the environment has also slowed down. However, many developing countries continue to
use persistent pesticides, and the contamination of different components of environment
continues to be excessive and pervasive (vide M .S. Swaminathan, 1993).
To produce adequate quantity of silk both for domestic market and export trade without
degrading the resource base that supports crop productivity, sericulture must become
economically viable and ecologically sustainable. Through organic farming, sustainability
could be achieved. It is not a question of eliminating chemical fertilizers and pesticides from
the sericultural production scenario. The issue is how sufficient productivity can be achieved
through integrated nutrient management (INM) and integrated pest management (IPM) using
local resources, aiming towards sustain ability.

3. Integrated Nutrient Management

Proper soil management without impairing soil health is the prerequisite for achieving
higher sericultural productivity. Farm yard manure, composts and various kinds of organic
manures are becoming increasingly in short supply and costly leading to their less application
thereby affecting the soil health and crop productivity and quality adversely. The situation
has created a renewed interest in the biological transformation of farm wastes including all
organic wastes into valuable manures. The compost manure prepared out of farm wastes can
be profitably used in the fields for the cost-effective production of crops. This nutrient-rich
compost is a better supplement for farmyard manure, the cost of which is escalating day by
day due to shortage of cattle dung. Besides, it is poor in nutrient quality. Much information
is available on the use of various organic manures and their positive effect on various crops.
Heavy use of nitrogen started up showing in increased nitrate concentration in
uriderground waters in many states. Besides loss of nitrogen, there is serious health hazard
due to nitrate pollution of ground water. Due to these alarming signals, Integrated Nutrient

68

Abstracts

Management (INM) has become a sustainability concept. It involves meeting a part of the
nutrient need of crops by organic manures, crop residue, green manures, dual-purpose legumes,
non-edible oilcakes and bio-fertilizers. The long-term fertilizer experiments in many crops
suggested the need for INM. Application ofN alone reduced the crop yield after a decade or
so. Application ofP along with N extended it to some more years but in NPK plot some yield
was obtained even after two decades. However, plots receiving a part or all nutrients through
FYM not only maintained but also recorded a gradual increase in crop yield over years.
Combined application of FYM and inorganic fertilizer was the best.
The deficiency of different micro and secondary nutrients, especially ofZn and S, became
yield-limiting factors within a few years, depending upon soil nutrient status . Addition of
deficient nutrient or high dose of FYM (10-15 MT/ha) corrects this situation. Secondly,
where N alone is used, its adverse effect on yield and soil quality became disastrous in acid
soils. Thirdly, it is the deficiencies of Zn and S and other micro or secondary nutrients (Fe,
Mn, B, Cu and Ca), which are emerging as yield limiting and sustainability disturbing factors
and necessitate correction of their deficiency through appropriate nutrient input and
management. Continuous monitoring of changes in the nutrient status of soils is essential as
it is observed that 49% soils in the country are deficient in Zn, 25% in Fe, 55% in Mn and 3%
in Cu (Kanwar, 2000). The situation is changing under intensive cropping and unbalanced
and improper use of fertilizers .
3.1. Biofertilizers

]n recent years, use of bio-fertilizers holds much promise to improve the yield of crops.
Biofertilizers sustain soil fertility resulting in increased crop yield without causing any
environmental, water, or soil hazards. Out of many microorganisms, which are identified as
bio-fertilizers, Azotobacter, Azospirillum, Phosphorus Solubilising Bacteria (PSB) and
Vesicular Arbuscular Mycorrh izae (VAM) have a significant role in crop nutrition .
Azospirillum stimulates plant growth. Inoculation with Azospirillum increases the number,
length and weight of roots besides bud development, number of leaves and leaf weight. PSB
and VAM make P available to the plants. In addition, VAM increases root depth, improves
photosynthesis and provides protection to plants from drought and root pathogens. Sericultural
farmers seldom use the biofertilizers.
3.2. Organic Manures

With a view to minimise the use of chemical fertilizers, farmers should be able to produce
different organic manures and apply as part of INM system. As our cattle wealth is fast
declining, adequate quantity of farmyard manure could not be produced in recent years in the
country. Hence, recycling of agricultural farm wastes as compost, fortification of vermicompost, raising and application of green manure and green leaf manure crops, etc. should
receive greater attention.

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Nalional Seminar on Soil Health and Water Management Jor Sustainable Sericulture

3..3. Green Manure Crops

With a view to minimize the use of chemical fertilizers farmers should be able to produce
different organic manures and apply. Green manures are the bulky organic manures that can
be produced under any situation. A large number of leguminous crops are used for green
manuring in South India. Daincha (Sesbania aculeata), sunnhemp (Crotalariajuncea), wild
indigo or Kolingi (Tephrosia purpurea), indigo or Avuri (Indigofera tinctoria) and Pillipesara
(Phaseo/us trilobus) are the most popular crops with farmers. Sesbania speciosa is an
introduction from South Africa and is getting popular. A number of other crops like cowpea,
lablab, redgram, horsegram, Crota/aria striata, etc. are also grown as green manure crops in
some places. Leguminous green manure species are able to fix atmosP.heric nitrogen and do
not necessarily depend on the nitrogen in the soil. The phosphorus present in green manure is
in organic form and becomes available for use by the succeeding crop.
The other promising stem nodulating green manure species include Aeschynomene
afraspera and Neptunia oleracea . Though the biomass production of these species is
comparatively less than the popular Sesbania aculeata (daincha), the high nitrogen content
ofthe plants is more advantageous. Pillipesara produces about 8.0 to 10.0 tonnes per hectare
and the seeds are also occasionally used in place of greengram as a pulse. Sunnhemp is
capable of yielding as high as 15.0 to 20.0 tonnes of green matter per hectare. The root and
stem nodulating Sesbania rostrata would be an ideal choice in the monsoon and post-monsoon
seasons. Some of these species may also serve as wind-break to minimize soil erosion.
3.4. Green Leaf Manure Crops
Collecting green leaves from all available sources and using them for manuring wetland
crops or for biocomposting is an age-old practice in South India. It is the application to land
of green leaf, gathered from shrubs and trees growing in waste lands, canal bunds, tank
bunds, field bunds, forests, etc. The common trees and shrubs growing in these places are
Cassia auriculata, Dodonia viscose, Delonix alata, Pongamia pinnata, neem, Ipomea carnea
and Calotropis gigantea. Other shrubs are also used. In addition, lopping from trees on the
roadside and forest areas is also done for use as green leaf manure. It has the same effect as
green manures on land and the crop.
The practices of growing Pongamia pinnata trees in wastelands, specifically for providing
green leaf for manuring crop fields , are very cornman in Karnataka State. Wastelands that
cannot be economically cultivated are planted to Pongamia . It is a leguminous tree that comes
up well and provides lopping of green leaves in liberal quantities.
Leguminous trees like Pongamia and Cassia siamea can be planted in wastelands, for
augmenting the supply of green leaves. The trees do not require any attention after they get
established and start growing. When suitable species are selected for planting, they provide
fuel, light timber for making implements and fodder for animals during periods of scarcity of
straw.

G/yricidia macu/ata is a shrubby type of plant and often grows like a tree, comes up
well in moist situations by the sides of water-courses, tank bunds, etc. Each shrub gives 6 to

70

Abstracts

10 kg of green leaves annually. Glyricidia literally means 'killing rats', as its roots have
rodenticidal value.
The major nutrient in green and green leaf manures is nitrogen, though phosphorus,
potassium and micronutrients are also present. The nitrogen content in important species of
plants is given in Table 1.
Table 1. Nitrogen Content of Common Green Manures and Green Leaf Manures
(on dry weight basis)
Material

N content (%) N accumulation(kg/ha)

Green Manures
Crotalaria juncea (Sunnhemp)

2.80-3.15

80-130

Sesbania aculeata (Daincha)

2.55-3 .21

130-185

S. rostrata (Manila Agathi)

3.20-3.37

170-220

S. speciosa (Sitthagathi)

2.29-3 .10

115-160

Phaseolus trilobus (Pillipesara)

2.16-2.77

85-125

Tephrosia purpurea (Wild Indigo)

2.90-3 .22

70-115

Pongamia glabra (Pungam)

1.30-1.54

Azadirachta indica (Neem)

0.97-1.15

Cassia florida (Konnai)

1.40-1.60

Glyricidia maculala (Glyricidia)

2.25-2.75

Albizzia lebbek (Vagai)

1.12-1.35

Green Leaf Manures

3.5. Cover Crops Technology in Mulberry

Cover crops could be considered the backbone of many cropping system that seeks to
be sustainable. In the CSB-supported Farmer Participatory project, the principal uses and
benefits of cover crops and green manures/green leaf manures were studied suited to different
types of soil. Some had the benefits of living mulches, catch crops, and forage crops. To
impart a sense of the importance of these practices in sustainable famling , large scale
technology demos were conducted on the effects of cover crops and green manures on: organic
matter and soil structure, nitrogen production, soil microbial activity, nutrient enhancement,
rooting action, weed suppression, and soil and water conservation. The time of sowing in
relation to pruning of mulberry, seed rate depending upon the inter-space available, Rhizobium
treatment, age of the crop for soil incorporation after field-level tests of effective nodulation,
pests and diseases of cover crops, etc. were observed.

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National Seminar on Soil Health and Water Management for Sustainable Sericulture

. According to Sullivan (2003), green manuring involves the soil incorporation of any
field or forage crop while green or soon after flowering, for the purpose of soil improvement.
It provides soil cover, regardless of whether it is later incorporated or not. Cover crops are
grown primarily to prevent soil erosion by wind and water. In addition to providing ground
cover and, in the case of a legume, fixing nitrogen, they also help suppress weeds and reduce
insect pests and diseases.
3.6. Research Findings on Cover Crops from CSB FPR Project on INM and !PM

In the FPR mulberry gardens in the three states daincha was found ideal for salt affected
soils and drought situations. Sunnhemp performed better in normal soils with good irrigation
facility. Greengram, blackgram and horsegram did not come up well under partial shade of
mulberry. Cowpea was also suitable and encouraged the natural incidence of ladybird
(Cheilomenes maculata) population but the seed cost was high. A seed rate of 10 kg of daincha
and sunnhemp in 3 x 3' of mulberry spacing was adequate. It had to be increased to 12 kg
with 5 x 3 x 2' spacing. Wild indigo, (I'ephrosia purpurea) (kolinji in Tamil) (seed rate 10 kg)
was highly suited to mulberry fields with sub-soil hardpan to allow mulberry root penetration,
as observed in Salem district, Tamil Nadu.
Sowing Rhizobium treated seeds 5-7 days after mulberry pruning in well-weeded field
was found to result higher green manure biomass and nutrients, increased mulberry leaf yield
and excellent weed suppression (82-87%). After two successive cover cropping weeds like
hariyali (Cyanodon dactylon) and nutgrass (Cyprus rotundus) were almost eliminated. Weed
removal of nutrients was avoided and expenses on weeding were reduced. Soil incorporation
of cover crops at 50% flowering (around 45-50 days after sowing) was quite effective in
saving fertilizer nitrogen.
During the severe drought period in 2003-04 in Anantapur district, Andhra Pradesh
daincha was allowed to grow upto early seed formation stage and it served as a nutritious
fodder for livestock. When these plants were growing up to pod maturity stage for seed
purposes, their roots were observed to penetrate to a depth of about 25-30 cm thus opening
up the sub-soil for better aeration, microbial growth, formation of organic matter and eventual
mulberry deep root system. Such mulberry plants withstood drought better. Wild indigo,
Tephrosia purpurea, seems to be the best cover crop studied so far in the CSB-supported
project to break the soil hardpan and to allow better mulberry root penetration to utilize the
moisture and nutrients from lower layers of soil.
There was another beneficial effect of daincha, i.e., serving as a trap crop for the mulberry
root-knot nematode (Me/oidogy.ne incognita) observed in three mulberry gardens in Theni
district, Tamil Nadu. Scientists of Agricultural College and Research Institute of Tamil Nadu
Agricultura University at Madurai made identification of the nematode species. However,
after large-scale introduction of daincha as cover crop in mulberry in certain parts of Erode
district, Tamil Nadu, the polyphagous tobacco caterpillar pest, Spodoptera litura spread from
tomato and became a menacing pest in patches not only on daincha but also on mulberry.
Trap crop of castor would have avoided the pest problem, which is being studied.
72

Abslracu

4. Integrated Pest Management

Existing issues in biotic stresses of crop plants, when analysed, provide a satisfactory
solution to major problems in very few cropping systems as well as groups of pests, pathogens,
nematodes and weeds in different agro-climatic regions of the country. Upheavals in crop
health management have been the order of the day in the late eighties and nineties of the last
century. Intensification of crop production shared the threats and risks of crop loss due to
intense herbivory and consequent severe crop loss to farmers. The quest for enhanced crop
production, using high yielding varieties with dubious tolerance to various biotic stresses,
led to the increased use of agro-chemicals especially in irrigated systems. The escalation in
cost of crop protection resulted in non-profitability under swinging market prices of the
commodities. Misadventures as well as overzealous approaches of chemical pest management
led to strong ecological lessons that revived the biological balancing in agro-ecosystems.
Emerging scenario of biotic stresses also is not so heartening since the impact of climate
changes, new cropping patterns and practices as well as intensification of crop production
has a predictable upheaval towards development of suitable environment towards build up of
newer pest complexes. There is demand for more silk production for both domestic
consumption and for sustaining enhanced trade demands in the globalised scenario of World
Trade Order (WTO). The challenge to the farmer is to contain the co t of production to a
sustainable level for effective competitiveness in world trade drive for economically efficient
crop production protocols. The challenges for !PM are to be viewed in this context. These
pre-emptive measures arc directed towards enhanced export-oriented trade opportunities so
as to make the farmers' income grow. The national call for growth of Gross Development
Product from 8.5% to 10% during the 111h Five Year Plan period looks towards a substantial
growth in farm sector that is expected of the mass agrarian popUlation of the country.
Targeting this growth rate from the current 2.1% to at least 4% in agriculture and other
farm sector during the next plan period, the role of IPM to enable the sustained growth of
cost-effective agricultural productivity is to be underlined and emphasized. The cost of plant
protection in the overall crop production costs is to be appreciated and every step to reducc
and contain it to the minimum through effective and rational plant health management strategies
and protocols shall enable the nation to harvest cheaper commodities at our farm gates.

4.1. Current Inadequacies in IPM

1.
There is a lack of understanding and knowledge of processes of herbivory in crop
cultivation vis-a-vis that in nature.
11. The tri-trophic interactive processes between plants, herbivores and their natural
enemies in food-chainlfood-web system of agro-ecosystem need better elucidations.
111. 'Fire-fighting' approaches of plant protection (including certain !PM tactics). that
have been in vogue over past few decades, have Jed to only insufficient and inadequate
effective crop protection. Often these have been very tentative and led to higher crop
production costs. Contingency planning was the practice although !PM, theoretically,
was to design medium-term measures in annual cropping period to reduce pestilence
effectively through imaginative and dynamic interventions. More than escalating costs,

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National Seminar on Soil Health and Water Management jor Sustainable Sericulture

lV.

v.
a.
b.
c.
d.
e.

f.

g.

the lack of faith of fanners for ecosystem management due to short-sighted prescriptions
over long standing and pragmatic measures resulted in crumbling protection of crops
from key pests that limited productivity.
No major attention is given in designing pest forewarning or forecasting models for
effective IPM.
Strategic research in the following aspects of key areas that could be prioritized:
Biosystematics research to study the biodiversity as well as bionomics of herbivores
and their natural enemies in sericulture.
Soil health management for pest avoidance.
Plant health management from invasion of insects, plant pathogens, nematodes, mites
and vertebrate organisms
Post-harvest commodity management for both consumption and for seed
Development of research on agro-chemicals including pesticides of botanical origin,
synthesis of pheromones, juvenile hormones etc. of insects, and evaluation of residue
of all agro-chemicals in crops and commodities
Disease/Pest risk analysis including delineation of disease/pest-free areas, effective
diagnostic tools and techniques for monitoring, and enforcement for stringent domestic
quarantine
To undertake benefit-cost and risk-benefit analyses of plant protection
recommendations for all agro-climatic conditions.

4.2. Mulberry Pests

Insect pests are one of the major constraints in mulberry sericulture . According to
Manjunath et al. (2000), the mulberry leaf folder, Diaphania pulverulentalis, Bihar hairy
caterpillar, Spilosoma obliqua and tukra mealy bug, Macon ellicoccus hirsutus inflict crop
losses ofI2-15%, 25-30% and 10-15%, respectively. In a survey in Kamataka, Andhra Pradesh
and Tamil Nadu states, leaf folder was found to cause a leaf yield loss to the tune of 12.8%
with the average incidence of21 .77% (Rajadurai et al. , 2000a). Tukra in mulberry has assumed
greater significance in recent years as it causes both qualitative and quantitative damage.
Sathyaprasad et al. (2000) reported tukra mealy bug to cause an estimated leaf yield loss of
4500 kg/halyear, thus depriving the farmer a brushing of 450 dfls/ha/year, leading to decline
in cocoon production by 150 kg/halyear. The reduction of leaf quality leads to inferior
performance of silkworm crop.
Intensive cultivation of mulberry is largely responsible for severe pest problems.
Monocultures, overlapping crop seasons due to overlapping pruning schedules and excessive
application of chemical fertilizers and irrigation water have led to severe outbreaks of pests.
Diversity of natural enemy complexes attacking various stages of the pests prevalent in
mulberry crop is rather very narrow. Intercropping systems, which are common under other
field crop situations, are not available in sericulture, by and large, to prevent severe pest
outbreaks. The complex systems of biodiversity of host plants, pests / pathogens / weeds,
their natural enemies and their interactions is illustrated in Fig. 1, which need to be understood
in each seri-ecosystem.

74

Abstracts

Fig. 1. Biodiversity of the Host Plants, Pests/ Pathogens/ Weeds, their Natural Enemies
and their Interaction
Primary producers
Herbivores

( Hyperparasitoids )

Natural enemies
Entomop hages
En tomopathogens
An tagon ists
Weed killers
in tercrops I
trapcrops

other Fau na & Flora

4.3. Changing Pest Scenario

The introduction of new tcchnology based on high yielding mulberry varieties and
silkworm hybrids and increased use of inputs like irrigation water, fertilizers and pesticides
during the last few decades have changed the scenario ofIndian sericulture . Many ecological
attributes, which are favourable for plant growth also favour the multiplication of pests.
Thus, the pests are capable of adapting to large changes in the environment. Consequently,
there is a change in the insect pest scenario due to changes in agro-ecosystem. Typical example
of the changed scenario of insect pests with intensive cultivation has been in the case of
mulberry tukra mealybug and leaf webber in S. I~dia and whiteflies in E. India. The traditional
varieties of mulberry were reported to suffer ~rom only conventional minor pests.
With the introduction of high yielding mulberry varieties and the associated technology,
there has been a considerable increase in area under such varieties, particularly in Kamataka
and AP. states. Contiguous blocks of the crop spread over large areas are now found all over
the State, which favour the development and multiplication of the pests. Leaf webber has
emerged as a serious pest in the southern sericulture zone.
Pesticide subsidies coupled with improper pesticide application and use has led to the
above problems. Pest resurgence (when the destruction of its natural enemies or change in
physiology of the crop plant results in the pest population increasing to levels greater than
before treatment) problems have been reported in many sucking pests. Jayaraj (1987) reviewed
the Indian literature on resurgence of sucking pests at the height of whitefly / aphid / jassid /
thrips / coccid / mite resurgence in many crops.

4.2. Need for IPM

One of the major impediments in crop farming is the serious depredation caused by
pests, diseases and weeds. The excessive dependence on chemical pesticides has led to several

75

National Seminar on Soil Health and Wafer Management jor SuslOinable SericultulY!

~nvironmental

problems. With a view to promote sustainability of crop production, it is of

paramount importance to develop and adopt low cost systems ofIPM. About 75% of the farm
holdings are small and marginal, and the resource-poor farmers would need simple, economic
and effective methods of pest management suited to their farm situations.
With the increasing of the importance of sustainable sericulture, the concept of Integrated
Pest Management (IPM) for sustainable development has emerged. In the recent past, plant
protection scientists as well as the farmers have identified pest management methods, which
are ecologically non-disrupting and stable. Applying the principles of ' organic farming ',
several non-chemical methods have become popular among the farmers. Simple cultural
practices like intercropping, trap cropping and crop rotation have been found to provide
adequate protection from pest damage with no additional cost and without harmful effects on
the environment. The farmers who clamoured for chemical pesticides in the sixties to eighties
are now disillusioned with these poisonous eco-destabilizing substances; and are now on the
look out for sensible and bio-rational methods ofIPM .
The term IPM is defmed as "a system that, in the context of the associated environment
and the popUlation dynamics of the pest species, utilizes an sustainable techniques as
compatible a manner as possible and maintains the pest populations at levels below those
causing economic injury". It is simply not the juxta-position or super-imposition of two or
more control techniques but the integration of all suitable management techniques in a
harmonious manner with natural regulating and limiting elements of the environment.

The main purpose of the }PM programme is to:

1.
reduce crop losses,
11 . increase farmer income,
iii. reduce pesticide use,
iv. reduce pesticide residues,
v. improve ability to monitor pests, and
VI. increase involvement of farm men and women in IPM decision making.
It is believed that the IPM programme is poised to make significant contributions to the
protection of crops and the environment and thereby contribute to the improvement of the
quality of life of the rural poor, while benefiting sericulture and consumers in the country at
large.

4.3. Botanical Pesticides

Botanical pest control is a distinct possibility in sericulture, where we are endowed with
the biodiversity of such plants. More than 1000 species of plants are known to have insecticidal
properties, 380 species anti-feedant properties, 300 species repellent properties and 30 species
each possessing attractant and insect growth regulator (IGR) properties. The biopesticide
feed-stock tree species found on the hills and foothills are listed in Table 2.

76

Ahsrracrs

Table 2. Trees with Insecticidal Activity

Tree species

Plant part / product Active principle

Activity

Albizia lebbeck (avenue Seed, leaf, pod, bark

tree)
and root

Caffeic acid, alkaloids

and quercetin

Insecticidal

Anacardium occidantale Shell oil

(casbew)

Phenolic compounds

Insecticidal

Annona squamosa
(custard apple)

Stem leaf and semi ripe fruit

Annonine

Insecticidal

Azadirachta indica
(neem)

Seed and seed oil

Azadirachtin, nimbidin,
salanin, meliantrol
and other bitter
principles(tetra nor
terpenoids)

Antifeedant,
oviposition
deterrent,
IGRs and
insecticidal

Butea monosperma
(forest tree)

Flower extract

Chalcones and aurones Tenniticidal

Hardwickia binata
(forest tree)

Heartwood

Mopanol
and epicatechin

Antifeedant

Madhuca lati/olia
(mahua)

Seed and seed oil

Saponins

Repellents and
insecticidal

Melia azadarach
(mountain neem)

Fruit and seed

Meliacin

Antifeedent
and
insecticidal

Pongamia pinnata
(karanj)

Seed and seed oil

Karanjin

Repellent and
insecticidal

4.4. Neem Biopesticide

Neem has been a subject of intensive international investigation during the past about
three decades. All parts of the tree are useful and its derivatives flnd application in diverse
areas including pesticides and allied agro-chemicals, human and veterinary medicine, toiletries
and cosmetics, fertilizer N regulation, energy and others. The application in pest control in
particular has received a global attention. Of the major applications of neem in agriculture,
standard products based on azadirachtin-A have been developed and are commercially
available. The technologies to make azadirachtin-A / meliacin concentrates and other
emulsifiable concentrates based on oil as well as other extracts have been developed .
Technologies to devlop di - and tetra-hydro azadirachtin-A, oil based emulsion and microemulsion formulations, more stable products through the use of UV screens and other
stabilizers/ formulants have been generated (parmar, 2002).
Neem-based pesticides are becoming popular for controlling mulberry pests. They may
77

Nalional Seminar on Soil Heallh and Waler Management/or Sustainable Sericulture

pIOve not only economical but also active against specific target insect, eco-friendly, nonphytotoxic, less expensive, easily available, easily biodegradable and potentially suitable for
use in IPM programme. Ashoka and Patil (2001) studied the bioefficacy of neem-based
insecticides against mulberry thrips. The effectiveness of botanical pesticides has been shown
in the case of spiraling whitefly, Aleulodicus disperses Russel infesting mulberry (Jagadish
et af. 2001).
The tukra mealy bug, Maconellicoccus hirsutus causes economic loss in mulberry leaf
production during summer months in many parts of south India. Field trials were conducted
by Samutbiravelu et af. (2003) to study on the efficacy ofneem oil, pungam oil and madhuca
oil (3%) alone and in its combination and dichlorvos (DDVP) as insecticide check against
mealy bug M. hirsutus through farmer's participatory mode in Krisbnagiri sericulture area
in Tamil Nadu. Among the botanical pesticides, neem oil alone and its combination with
pungam oil were found to have better effect. Release of biological agents Cryptolaemus
montrozieri (250, 500 grubs / ac) was integrated with neem oil 3% and found to have promising
results.
Field trial was also conducted to study the effect of different non-edible oil cakes viz;
neem, madhuca, pungam and castor (@ 60 kg / ac) by reducing 'N' fertilizer at 75% level on
the pest and natural enemies population on mulberry garden (var. MR2). Recommend (full)
dose of chemical fertilizer was kept as a control. The result indicated that, Tukra mealy bug
as well as leaf webber infestation has become minimized by reduced application of'N'chemical
fertilizer blended with neem cake @ 60kg/ac (3 and 0.3%), followed by pun gam cake (4 and
0.7%), madhuca (4.4 and 0.8%) and castor cake (7 .9 and 1.0%) where as in the treatment of
full dose of chemical fertilizer, the infestation was found to be 20.8 and 7.2% respectively.
Mean while, more numbers of natural enemies were found in the plots applied with nonedible oil cakes. Among the treatments, reduced application of 'N' fertilizer blended with
neem cake has shown higber leaf yield than other treatments.
The safety of certain plant extracts on the egg parasitoid Trichogramma chilonis was
reported by (Khan and Tiwari 2001).

4.5. Biologic&i Control

About 60% of the natural control of insect pests is by the enemies of insect pests such as
parasitoids, predators and insect pathogens. But only a few species have been studied
intensively and utilized in IPM. There is ample opportunity to develop many of them as
useful products in pest management.
It is well known that natural enemies of insect pests playa key role in biotic balance,
reducing levels of pest populations below those causing economic injury. Both natural and
applied biological control tactics are important in successful management of pest popUlations.
After nearly two decades of intensive teaching and field level training, farmers have understood
the value of biological control. After realizing that most of the synthetic chemicals decimate
the beneficial parasitoids and predators, the farmers tend to use selective pesticides along
with biocontrol agents and botanical pesticides of late.

78

Abstracts

In the area of applied biological control , significant progress has been made. Since the
successful biological control of the apple woolly aphid and the citrus cottony cushion scale,
several entomophages and entomo-pathogens have been developed for use in pest management.
The role of biopesticides particularly microbial pathogens in bio-rational pest management
has been well-documented. The efficacy of microbial pathogens can be enhanced further by
genetic improvement. The value of biocontrol is now well recognized particularly in the
context of environmental protection as well as stable pest management strategy (Table 3).

Table 3. Advantages and Disadvantages of Biocontrol and Chemical Control Methods

Category
Biological Control
Chemical Control
Environmental pollution,
danger to man, wildlife, etc.

None

Considerable

Upsets in natural balance,

ecological disruption

None

Common

Permanency of control and

economics

Permanent and therefore Temporary. Repeated

economical. Initial cost applications are
is the least.
required and so
not economical.

Development of resistance

Extremely rare, if ever.

Common

Impact on pests become effective,

but continues to be effective

Takes time to but may

rebound

Speedy result

Range of action

Specific or narrow

Broad

(After DeBach, 1974)

Survey and biosystematics of the natural enemies should be given top priority. The
quality control of the presently available biological control agents and botanical pesticides
should be standardized and the needed infrastructure developed with a view to enable the
farmers to adopt these non-chemical methods of rPM . Better methods of conservation of the
natural enemies through favourable cropping systems and other cultural practices and by
avoiding indiscriminate use of pesticides will be priority areas. In the case of microbial pest
control, techniques for mass production and field application, increasing the persistence and
efficacy through better formulations , compatibility with other IPM components and safety to
non-target species assume much importance.
The coccinellid predatory ladybird beetle, Cryptolaemus montrouzieri has been identified
to be an effective biocontroi agent against M. hirsutus. On an average 250 adults ofladybird
beetle in 2 equal installments are released in a year (Oct.iNov and Jan./Feb) for the effective
control of the pest.
According to Singh (1999), protection of the silkworms and their host plants from various
kinds of pests is a chronic problem in sericulture. Chemical control is a traditional practice to
contain pest population. But the awareness of hazards of the chemicals has forced the
.
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National Seminar on Soil Health and Water Management f or Sustainable Sericulture

entomologists to shift to biological control for checking the damage caused by insect pests.
The natural enemies of pests of food plants play significant role in reduction of population of
insect pests. Large numbers of parasitoids have been tested.
Rajadurai et al. (2000b) conducted a survey in the mulberry gardens at various localities
in Kamataka for the natural enemies of leaf roller. It revealed the presence of 15 species of
parasitoids and predators . The larval parasitoids, Apantales taragama e (71.18%), A.
maehaeralis (65 .8%), Braeon hebetor (52.24%) and Goniozus indicus (42.9%), egg parasitoid,
Triehogramma ehilonis (77.83%), pupal parasitoid, Tetrastiehus howardii (58 .67%) and
predators, Calosoma sp. (66.67%) and Eoeantheeonafureellata (57.63%) showed considerable
attack potential in the laboratory. Therefore, it might be possible to utilize these available
natural enemies against leaf roller in mulberry crop ecosystems. The effect of host density on
parasitism of leaf webber by Phan erotoma noyesi Zetti (Hymenoptera: Braconidae) was
observed by Geethabai and Marimadaih (2001).

4.6. Behavioural Pest Control

Behavioural pest control is quite simple and reliable based on vision, taste, odour, and
tactile senses of insect pests. Pest avoidance and pest monitoring would be important on the
basis of tritrophic relations among the cultivars, host insects and the entomophages. Insect
sex pheromones have been utilized to some extent mainly to monitor the pest abundance. We
have indigenous technology to manufacture some of them. Their use in mating disruption
and mass trapping for IPM should increase through deliberate attempts. The colour perception,
light intensity and food odour and taste can all be employed in either attracting or repelling
insect pests. Mechanical devices should be developed to catch large number of flying insects
or peregrinating insects in soil as well as storages.
Installation of light traps to attract adult moths and killing them using 0.5% soap solution
in the basin below the light source is helpful in the behavioural management of moths of
tobacco caterpillar, red-hairy caterpillar and Bihar hairy caterpillar. Use of light traps to
attract and kill adults is also recommended in the case of leaf webber. Yellow sticky traps
(YST) have been found to be quite effective in attracting whiteflies under W. Bengal conditions.

4.7. Pheromones and Other Semiochemicals in IPM

Many non-polluting chemicals and non-chemical tactics of IPM have also emerged on
the scene ofIPM. The semiochemicals are amongst these ' new, more selective and biologically
active ingredients ' . They are naturally-occurring and possess a 'unique mode of action'.
These ' biochemical pesticides ' are generally target-specific and used at very low application
rates. Many repellents have been re-registered as 'biochemical insecticides' for commercial
use. Pheromones are a class of semiochemicals, which are used commercially in two ways;
a) for the indirect control (for monitoring, quarantine and time of pest control) and b) as
direct control agents. That pheromones and other semiochemicals are different from chemical
insecticides has been recognized by several national regulatory agencies and the FAO of the
United Nations. They are used to 'attract and kill' or ' lure and kill'. More than 200 insect
species have been found to be amenable for indirect control using the commercially available
80

Abstracts

pheromones world-wide basis. For direct control there are about 20 pheromone formulations
registered and commercially used. In India the pheromones have been used in about 20 species
of insects. There is considerable scope for developing this technology for the management of
leaf webber. It is already available for S. iitura and S. obliqua.

4.8. Cultural Control

Sustainable pest management practices were tested to suit the sericultural ecosystem
for avoidance of major pests such as tukra mealy bug, Maconellicoccus hirsutus and leaf
webber Diaphania pulverulentalis on mulberry (Muthulakshmi et aI., 2003). Soil analysis
(pH, EC, OC, macro- and micronutrients and microflora) was done to r late with pest and
natural enemy population levels. Soil-test based integrated nutrient management (JNM)
practices were practiced, and excessive fertilizer nitrogen was avoided. Cropping system
management included eco-feast crop (cowpea) to enhance the natural enemy population
especially the ladybird beetle, Cheilomenes sexmaculata. The impact of soil fertility
management, organic manuring, host plant resistance, cropping systems and natural enemies
on sustainable IPM in sericulture was highlighted.
Deep ploughing the Bihar hairy caterpillar infested gardens is done to a depth of about
15-30 em to expose the pupae for natural mortality or predation by birds, lizards, etc. Wherever
adequate quantity of irrigation water is avai lable, flood irrigation of the mulberry gardens
will also help in killing the pupae. This method will also be useful for other pests such as
tobacco caterpillar, red-hairy caterpi llar, etc. Cutting trenches (30 em depth and 30 em width)
around the mulberry fields to prevent migration of the above pests from nearby field crops
and placing food baits in them for killing the larvae are also recommended. Flood irrigation
and deep ploughing are also found useful to kill pupae of the leaf webber.

4.9. Mechanical Control

Clipping off of the tukra and leaf webber affccted parts of mulberry plant and destroying
them are adopted to avoid further spread of the pests . Periodical shoot harvest also eliminates
the pests. For the management of Bihar hairy caterpillar, Spilosoma obliqua , tobacco caterpillar,
Spodoptera litura , and red-hairy caterpillar, Amsacta albistriga, the mulberry gardens are to
be observed regularly for collection and destruction of egg masses and also gregarious young
caterpillars.
4.10. Chemical Control
Spray of 0.2% DDVP (dichlorvos 76% EC) on mulberry on 15 tb day after pruning /
leaf harvest followed by J.5 ppm Azadarichtin (neem pesticide) on 25th day with a safe
period of 10 days after the spray of neem pesticide. This method is adopted during summer
months. Katiyar et at (2001) discussed the management of pink mealy bug, Maconellicoccus
hirsutus on mulberry by spraying 0.15% DDVP, safe period being 15 days. For the management
of leaf roller, foliar application of 0.076% DDVP (Dichlorvos) 76% EC (one ml in one litre
of water) 10 days after pruning/leaf harvest was recommended. If infestation persists, 2-3
sprays are required. The leaf can be utilised for silkworm rearing 7 days after DDVP
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National Seminar on Soil Heal/h and Water Management/or Sus/ainable Sericulture

application. Spraying of commercial Neem pesticide (0.03%AZ) 0.05% in 200 It. Safe period:
10 days.
4.11. Host Plant Resistance
Sathyaprasad et al. (2000a) made attempt to screen certain ruling mulberry varieties,
viz., S-36, S-34, S-13, K-2 and V-l for their tolerance to tul9"a through induction method
using 25-day old potted plants. Noticeable symptoms oftukra appeared on the 16th day post
inoculation of gravid females of mealy bug irrespective of the mulberry variety. The spread
of tukra symptoms was least in V-l 44.3% (P<0.05) followed by K-2 (66.8%). Maximum
incidence of tukra was observed in S-36 (87.8%) and S-34 (87 .3%). The population of M .
hirsutus on the 30th day post induction was maximum in V-1 (151) followed by S- I3 (74.6),
K-2 (73), S-34(53), and Local (19 .4). The results of screening mulberry gennplasm indicated
that the mulberry variety Togowase (ACC.No. 257) is tolerant to all the three sap suckers,
namely, mealybug, thrips and jassids. The percent incidence of tukra ranged from 10-100,
thrips 10-80 and jassids 10-50% (Sathyaprasad et a/., 2000b).
Susceptibility or moderate resistance of mulberry cultivars was recorded for the major
pests. VI mulberry variety is a recent introduction and is highly susceptible to both the pests.
However, its productivity and quality are quite high resulting in greater farm er profitability.
VI is followed by MR2 and low leaf yield was observed in Local variety (Muthulakshmi et
at. , 2003).
4.12. JPM Modeling
The productivity of both the mulberry (Morus spp.) and silkworm (Bombyx mon) is
influenced by a host of insect pests and diseases. The incidence of a few of these pests often
assumes serious dimensions leading to extensive economic loss. The IPM against leaf folder
has been developed and demonstrated, which comprises of mechanical (clipping and
destruction of infested apical shoot), chemical (spray of 0.076 percent DDVP) and biological
(release of Triehogramma ehilonis - an egg parasitoid 1 lakhlacre and Tetrastiehus howardii
- pupal parasitoid 1 lakh I acre). The data on the infestation prior to implementation and after
implementation ofIPM package was recorded. It indicated 47-52% suppression in infestation
ofleaf folder in mulberry through adoption ofIPM in the Government Silk Farms (Rajadurai
et al., 2000a).
Release Triehogramma chi/onis an egg parasitoid @ one tricho card lacre/week is
recommended for the management of Bihar hairy caterpillar. Each trichocard should be cut
into 12-16 pieces and staple them below mulberry leaf uniformly in entire mulberry garden
for effective parasitisation of host eggs.
Under on-farm trials the IPM packages was adopted in Karnataka, Tamil Nadu and
Andhra Pradesh by covering 165 farmers with 139.25 acres of mulberry gardens. A
suppression of 49.84 - 80-2% in tukra incidence has been recorded after adoption of the
integrated approach (Katiyar et a/., 2001). The IPM model developed for mulberry leaf webber

82

Abstracts

by Rajadurai et at. (2000a) is given below:

Activity to be taken up

S.No. Days*

Quantity
required I
Acre Icrop

Release of pupal parasitoid, Tetras/jehus howardii

50,000

10

Release of egg parasitoid, Trichogramma chi/ollis

@ 18,000 eggs per card or per cc

5 cc

15

Spraying DDVP @ 0.076% in 200 lit.

200ml

20

Release of T. howardii + T. chi/onis

50,000 +3 cc

25

Spraying Neem pesticide (0.03% AZ) 0.05%

in 200 lit., i.e 1.5 ppm Azadirachtin

1 liter

30

Release of Trichogramma chi/ollis

3 cc

Top clipping (bud and next leaf) when the silkworms are in 4th moult
>I<

after pruning

4.13. Transfer of Technology

Fanner-participatory wholesome IPM technology development, revalidation and transfer
suited to the local needs should be given priority and should be implemented jointly by thc
scientists, extension functionaries in the development departments and NGOs and fanners.
HRD programmes at various levels have to be organized and strengthened and free cxchange
of non-chemical inputs of TPM among the states and regions should be encouraged . The
agro-ecosystem analysis on selected crops and the conduct of Fanners' Field Schools (FfS)
in TPM in the recent years by the state and central government departments have been quite
successful. The recently launched National Agricultural Technology Project (NATP) by the
leAR has given many fillips to lPM .
JPM is most suited to small and marginal farm families. Since their number is iRcreasing
it is envisaged that IPM technology will be adopted in greater measure in the years to come.
The special training in IPM under the "Women in Agriculture programme" also helped in the
effective implementation of better IPM teclmologics. The use of insecticides i on the decline
in some states where IPM is implemented vigorously. It is hoped that with breakthroughs in
research many new tools will be made available to the farmers for managing insect pests
more effectively and thereby improving farm profitability and health security of the people at
large.
Farmers' Field Schools in rice, groundnut, pulses and cotton have given tremendous
insight to understand the agro-ecosystem (AES) analysis, the role of the naturally occurring
beneficial fauna and in-built compensatory mechanism in plants following damage by pests.
Small scale simulation experiments conducted by the farmers themselves have given the
adequate opportunities to know as to bow plants are able to withstand the damages caused by
83

National Seminar on Soil Health and Water Management for Sustainable Sericulture

insect pests and diseases and compensate the losses during the grand growth stages. It is
suggested to start similarly Sericultural Farmers' Field Schools (SFFS) in mulbeny cultivation
and silkworm cocoon production.

It has been very clearly understood by the farmers that the chemical pesticides kill the
friendly insects, which otherwise keep the pest populations below the damaging levels. When
used indiscriminately, the pesticides kill the beneficial fauna which in turn upsets the ecological
balance and helps the minor pests attaining major pest status.
4.14. Benefits of IPM Expected to Accrue
When once rPM is adopted on a large scale in the country, one can expect the following
to happen (NCIPM, 2000):

Increased biodiversity of natural enemies of pests like parasitoids, predators, insect

pathogens, honeybees and other pollinators, birds, etc.,
Increase in the use of biopesticides,
Reduction in the irrational use of chemical pesticides,
Pesticide residue in food, fodder and feed below permissible maximum limit,
Increased awareness among the farmers and consumers on the benefits of IPM,
Enhanced levels of knowledge and skills on rPM among farmers and all concerned,
Increased plantation of neem trees and demand for neem seeds,
Enhanced yield and income of IPM farmers, and
Increased socio-economic growth and social order.

5. References
Ashoka,1. and Patil , B. V. 2001 . Bioefficacy of neem based insecticides against mulberry thrips.
Abstracts ofNational seminar on Mulberry Sericulture Research in India, KSSRDI,
Thalagattapura, Bangalore, 26-28 November, 2001, p.193.
Bandyopadhyay, U. K., Santba Kumar, M. V , Das, K. K. and Saratchandra, B. 2000. Efficacy of
neem oil in controlling whitefly and its impact on silkworm rearing. In: National Conference on Strategies for Sericulture Research and Development, Central Sericultural Research and Training Institute, Srirampura, Mysore, pp. 36-37.
DeBach, P. 1974. Biological control by natural enemies. Cambridge Univ. Press. , London, 323 pp.
Geethabai M and Marimadaih B 2001 Effect of host density on parasitism ofleaf
roller, Diaphania pulverulentalis (Hampson) (Lepidoptera: pyralidae) by Phanerotoma noyes; Zetti
(Hymenoptera: Braconidae). National Seminar on Mulberry Sericulture Research in India,
KSSRDI, Thalagattapura, Bangalore, Abst p. 193.
Jagadish, K. S., Narayanaswamy, K. c., Naika, R., Manjunatbagowda and Shiva Kumar, H. R. 2001.
Bioefficacy of certain plant based insecticides against spiraling whitefly, Aleulodicus
disperses Russel (Homoptera: Aleyrodidae) infesting mulberry. National Seminar on
Mulberry Sericulture Research in India, KSSRDI, Thalagattapura, Bangalore Abst. p. 194195.
Jayaraj, S. 1987. Resurgence ofsucking pests. Tamil Nadu Agricultural University Publication,
Coimbatore. 272 pp.
84

Abstracts

Khan, M. A. and Tiwari. 200 I . Effect of plant extracts on the parasitization efficiency on
1'richogramma chi/om's Ishii. J. BioI. Control, 15 133-137.
Manjunath, D. ; Sathya Prasad, K.; Katiyar, R.L. ; Rajadurai , S.; Shekbar, M.A. ; Sen, A.K. ; Datta,
R.K. , 2000 (Central Sericultural Research and Training Institute, Mysore, India) Integrated
Pest Management in sericulture. In: National Conference on Strategiesfor Sericulture
Research and Development, Central Sericultural Research and Training Institute,
Srirampura, Mysore, India, 16- i 8, November 2000, p.65 .
Manjunath, S. and Shree, M. P. 200l. Studies on the incidence of thrips (Pseudo- dendrothrips mori
NAWA) and jassids (Empoasca sp.) in mulberry garden. Bulletin ofIndian Academy of
Sericulture, 5(1) 89-93 .
Muthulakshmi, M., P. Samuthiravelu, A. Suresh and S. Jayaraj , 2003. Studies on development of
sustainable pest management in mulberry. In: Sustainable Insect Pest Managem ent. (ed.) S.
19nacirnuthu and S. Jayaraj , Phoenix Publishers, New Delhi.
Panjab Singh. 2002. Globalisation prospects: Realising an agricultural dream . In: The Hindu Survey
oj1ndian Agriculture 2002. 232 pp
Parmar, B. S. 2002. Current status of research on neem with particular reference to India. NAAS
News, 2 (3), 5-6.
Pillai.S.V and Krishnaswamy .S 1980 Population of Mulberry thrips (Pm) in relation to weather
factors. Proc. Seric. Symp. SerioTamilnadu Agricultural University, Coimbatore, pp .186189).
Rajadurai S, Sen A K, Shekhar M A, Sathya Prasad K, Katiyar R L, Thiagarajan V and Datta R K
2000a. An IPM package for the management ofleafroller, Diaphania pulveru-Ientalis. In:
Seminar on Sericulture Technology: An appraisal, Central Sericultural Research and
Training Institute, Mysore, p.36.
Rajadurai S, Sen A K, Manjunath D and Datta R K 2000b. Natural enemy fauna of mulberry leaf
roller ,diaphania pulverulentalis (hampson) (lepidoptera:pyralidae)and its potential. In:
Seminar on Sericulture Technology: An appraisal, Central Sericultural Research and
Training Institute, Mysore, p.37.
Samuthiravelu, P., A. Suresh and S. Jayaraj . 2003 . Studies on the effects of botanical and biological
control tactics against mulberry tukra mealy bug, Maconellicoccus hirsutus. In: Sustainable Insect Pest Management. (ed.) S. Ignacimuthu and S. Jayaraj , Phoenix Publishers,
New Delhi.
Sathyaprasad, K., C. R. Sujatha, D. Manjunath, and R. K. Datta. 2000a. Screening of popular
mulberry varieties for tukra infestation. National Conference on Strategies for Sericulture
Research and Development, Central Sericultural Research and Training Institute, Mysore.
Singh, R. N. 1999. Recent trends ofbiologicaJ control in sericulture, In: Advances in tropical
mulberry production technology (ed) Bongale, U. D., Proc. Natl Semi Trop Seric 1999.
Sullivan, P. 2003. Overview of Cover Crops and Green Manures. In: Fundamentals of Sustainable
Agriculture. ATTRA- National Sustainable Agriculture Information Service, FayetteviIle,
AR 72702, USA, 16 pp.
Swaminathan, M . S. 2002. Agrarian prosperity: In our quest for quality produce. In: Th e Hindu
Survey ofIndian Agriculture 2002. 232 pp.
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National Seminar on Soil Health and Water Management for Sustainable Sericultllre

INMlO-l
IMPACT OF SOIL TYPES IN RELATION TO COCOON PRODUCTIVITY WITH
SERICULTURISTS OF KATOL TALUKA UNDER
RAIN FED CONDITIONS

Kalantri, L.B., Hajare,T.N.', Jadhav, A.D. and Undale, J.P

Directorate of Sericulture, Nagpur-09
'NBSS&LUP, Amravati Road Nagpur-l 0
In India, growing of mulberry under rain fed environment is clustered in Southern
States oflndia (ferratic soils) and more particularly in Karnataka which contributes nearly 7S
per cent to sericulture pool oflndia. Vidarbha division of Maharashtra, a non traditional belt
for sericulture, has great potential for rain fed sericulture owing to typical shrink-swell soils
which can supply needed moisture to mulberry after cessation of monsoon. Attempts have
also been made to characterise the soil - site suitability evaluation for mulberry in Vidarbha
Though in present article an attempt has been made to observe the impact of different shrinkswell soils on the productivity of cocoons in Katol taluka of Nagpur district in Vidarbba.
Demonstrations conducted on farmers field having shrink - swell soils revealed that cocoon
productivity was (200 kg/year/acre)higher in deep ,well drained Vertic Haplustepts followed
by (140 kg/year/acre)in very deep moderately well drained Typic Haplustepts, and with shallow
well drained TypicHaplustepts (lOkg/year/acre). Depth, drainage clay and CaC03 content
contribute significantly towards the productivity of cocoons for rain fed mulberry in dry subhumid environment in Katol taluka of Nagpur district in Vidarbha. Details are discussed in
the paper.
INM/O-2
IMPACT OF SOIL-TEST BASED FERTu,IZER APPLICATION ON SOIL
HEALTH AND FOR QUALITY MULBERRY YIELDS

Vedavyasa, K., Subbaswamy, M.R., Munirathnam Reddy, M and Thippeswamy, T

Central Sericultural Research and Training Institute, Mysore-570008
Adequate nutrition of silkworm has been of primary importance because cocoon
production is influenced by quality of mulberry leaves. A balance among the essential nutrients
based on crop requirement is a prerequisite to ensure quality and yield of mulberry leaves. A
study was undertaken to evaluate the effect of soil-test based fertilizer recommendation over
general recommendation and fanners' practice on improvement of soil health. It was observed
that soil-test based fertilizer/manure application increased mulberry leaf yield besides retaining
the soil health compared to the general recommendation and farmers' practice.

86

Ahs/rac/s

INMJO-3
FERTI-DRIP IRRIGATION TO OPTIMIZE THE FERTILIZER
USE IN MULBERRY
Shivakumar, H. Rand Shivashankar, K'
0 /0 Commissioner of Commercial Taxes, Bangalore.
I Professor and Head (Retd.), Dept. of Agronomy & Forestry, VAS, GKYK, B'lore-65
In the above experiment the fertilizer use efficiency was studied by estimating the NPK
contents in the root zone and below the root zone. The distribution of nitrate nitrogen was
confmed to the effective root zone with 55, 70 and 85 per cent recommended fertilizer levels
without giving much scope for leaching. Hence, there was lower nitrate nitrogen accumulation
beyond the root zone, whereas the 100 per cent fertilizer level resulted in increased
accumulation of nitrate nitrogen below the root zone (14.5 to 33.6 mg/kg soil) . Ferti-drip
irrigation at 0.6 or 0.8 JW/ CPE rcsulted in least accumulation of nitrate nitrogen below the
root zone (0.26 to 10.36 mg/ kg soil) as compared to furrow irrigation (28.6 to 48.45 mg! kg
soil). The residual P levels (3.32 to 20.16 mg/kg soil) and K (222.3 to 643.5 mg/kg soil) in the
effective root zone of soil were found to be higher as compared to traditionally irrigated and
fertilized soils (2 .7 to 8.22 and 229 to 584 mg/kg soil, respectively). Furrow irrigation with
100 per cent recommended P and K resulted in increased accumulation ofP (5.34 to 9.61 mg/
kg soil) and K (218 to 345 mg/kg soil) at below root zone as compared to fertigated plots
(2.59 to 4.16 mg and 175 to 231 mg/kg soil, respectively). Large portion of P accumulation
was confined to the surface layers of soil (0 to 15cm) in all the treatments.
Similar trend as above obtained with feeder roots distribution resulted in increased uptake
ofN (28.3 to 70 .9 kg/ha/crop), P (1.45 to 9.22 kg/ha/crop) and K (10.5 to 46.5 kg/ha/crop) as
compared to traditionally irrigated and fertilized plots (6.1 to 30 kg N, 1.] 9 to 3.74 kg P and
8.6 to 20.8 kg K fha/crop, respectively). Consequent to the effective use of fertilizers under
fertigated treatments, there was increased mulberry leaf yield by 23.5 percent, besides elevating
NUE by 14 to 56.6% and water use efficiency by 35 .6 to 40.6% over traditionally irrigated
and fertilized plots. By converging the above, it can be concluded that, ferti-drip irrigation
either at 0.6 or 0.8 IW /CPE with 75 or 85% recommended fertilizer resulted in attaining thc
uniform distribution of nutrients in the effective root zone of mulberry.

INM/O-4
EFFECT OF VARIOUS LEVELS OF PHOSPHORUS APPLICATION ON UPTAKE
OF PHOSPHORUS, QUALITY AND YIELD O}~ MULBERRY
Muniratbnam Reddy, M., Subbaswamy, M.R and Vedavyasa, K
Central Sericultural Research and Training Institute, Mysore - 570008
Phosphorus is an essential element for growth and reproductive activities in silkworm
besides other metabolic activities. Phosphorus along with nitrogen and potassium has been
proved indispensable in increasing mulberry leaf yield compared to absence of phosphorus.
Essentiality of phosphorus for better silkworm growth and increased cocoon production has

87

National Seminar on Soil Health and Wafer Management for Sustainable Sericulture

been established. A field experiment was conducted to study the effect of various levels of
phosphorus application on protein nitrogen, carbohydrate and P uptake and yield of mUlberry.
It was found that application of 150 kg/ha/yr of phosphorus is ideal to obtain the quality and
yield of mulberry leaf. The possible role of phosphorus application towards the yield and
nutritive value improvement of mulberry leaf is discussed.

INM/O-5
PERFORMANCE OF GREEN MANURE LEGUMES IN IRRIGATED MULBERRY
GARDEN

Jaishankar, Veeraiah, T.M, Shanthala, Rand Jayaraj, Sl

Regional Sericultural Research Station, Kodathi, Bangalore-560 035
IS. Jayaraj Research Foundation, Chennai, 600042
The studies were undertaken on three green manure crops viz., sunnhemp (Crata/aria
juncea), daincha (Sesbania aculeata) and cowpea (Vigna sinensis) to know their performance
at Regional Sericultural Research Station Kodathi, Bangalore, under local agro-climatic
conditions and recommended agronomical practices followed in mulberry cultivation. The
trials were conducted in 0.40 ha one-year old mulberry garden variety-RFS-175 having paired
row spacing (150+90) x 60 cm. Trials were undertaken in 3 blocks of 5 replications each.
Two sowing periods (5th and 10th day after mulberry pruning) and seed rates 20, 25, 37.5
and 50 kg fha/crop were tested. The legume seeds were treated before sowing with a culture
of Rhizobium, a symbiotic nitrogen-fixing bacterium. The green manure plants above ground
biomass along with nodulated roots were incorporated in soil up to a depth of IS cm by
tractor/power tiller ploughing. The data was recorded just prior to flowering stage or on 4S th
day after sowing the green manure seeds. The survival percentage was found to be 90, 95 and
50% in sunnhemp, cowpea and in dhaincha respectively. The total biomass generated was
11.28 MT for sunnhemp 14.5% higher over cowpea (9.64 MT) and 37% higher than daincha
(7.03 MT/ha/crop). The weed suppression percentage by weight was 63.8, 92.9 and 94.1 in
sunnhemp, cowpea and daincha, respectively. The nitrogen incorporated was 87.17, 72.72
and 58.61 kg/ha/crop for sunnhemp, cowpea and daincha respectively. Potash found
sigQificantly higher in sunnhemp. The correlation coefficient study showed no significant
difference between seed rate and the total biomass of legumes. The overall performance
revealed that sunnhemp sown on Sth day after pruning during monsoon period either or both
in South-West and North-East monsoon and 20 kg of seed per ha/crop was found ideal for
effective utilization of inter row space available in the existing practices of mulberry cultivation
in the region.

88

Abs/raCB

INM/O-6

NITROGEN FIXING BACTERIA IN THE RIllZOSPHERE SOIL OF MULBERRY

GARDEN AS INFLUENCED BY APPLICATION OF
ORGANIC MANURES
Krishna Naik, L, Ramakrishna Naika, Narayana Reddy, Rand Andani Gowda
Sericulture College, UAS, Chintamani-563 125
An experiment was conducted to study the population of nitrogen fixing bacteria in the
rhizosphere soil of S-36 mulberry garden as influenced by application of organic manures .
The total nitrogen requirement is supplemented with different organic manures, namely,
vermin-compost, enriched vermin-compost, coir pith compost, bio-gas digested slurry and
urban solid wasle compost along with the recommended FYM and NPK as control. The
results revealed that the population of nitrogen fixing bacteria was notably high in organic
manures applied plots. The plots applied with 50% recommended nitrogen through vermincompost recorded higher population of nitrogen fixing bacteria. However, this was least in
the mulberry plot where the recommended nitrogen was supplied through chemical fertilizer.
Similar trend was also observed with respect to yield of mulberry leaf revealing the importance
of organic manures in improvement of soil health in mulberry gardens.

INM/O-7
INFLUENCE OF BJOFERTILISERS ON GROWTH OF MULBERRY
Baqual, M. F and Das, P. K 1
Sher-e-Kaslunir University of Agricultural, Sciences and Technology ofKaslunir
Division of Sericulture, Mirgund, Srinagar - 190 001
'Central Sericultural Research and Training Institutc, Mysore.
Soil is a dynamic natural body occurring on the surface of earth that supports growth of
plants. Efficiency of using microbial consortium in improving the soil health and agricultural
crop production including mulberry is well documented. Due to global energy crisis, the use
of chemical fertilizers in crop production has become very costlier input and also in short
supply. Thus it has become highly imperative to fmd out an alternative source which can
supplement partially or wholly the use of chemical fertilizers in crop production. increased
application of various organics to meet the nutrient requirements of crops and subsequent
reduction of chemical fertilizers should be of prime concern in order to maintain soil health
for sustainable crop production.
In the present paper the influence of various bioinoculants like phosphate solubilizing
microorganisms, nitrogen-fixing bacteria and arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi on soil health
and growth of mulberry at different fertilizer levels have been discussed . Synergistic effect
of these useful microorganisms as biofertilizers on soil and in turn on mulberry growth and
yield was recorded . The study clearly indicated the possibilities of curtailing the application
of nitrogen and phosphatic fertilizers in mulberry cultivation to an extent of25-50% without
any adverse effect on leaf yield and leaf quality of mulberry by supplementing through the
89

National Seminar on Soil Health and Water Managem ent/or Sustainable Sericulture

use of these useful bioinoculants. The economics of using bio-inoculants in mulberry also
indicated that approximately Rs. 2000 - 4500 /halyr can be saved only on the input cost of
nitrogen and phosphorus in mulberry cultivation besides saving the soil from chemical
pollution.
INMlO-8
EFFECT OF BIOINOCULANTS AND ORGANIC MANURES ON SOIL
MICROFLORAAND FERTILITY STATUS OF S36 MULBERRY GARDEN

Murali, C., Sreeramnlu, KR, Narayanaswamy, T.K, Shankar, M.A and

Sreekantaiah, M
University of Agricultural Sciences, GKVK, Bangalore-560 065
The effect of bioinoculants and organic manures on soil microflora and fertility status
of S36 mulberry garden was assessed at different stages of crop growth during rabi season
2005-06. Results have showed that application of 10kg each of Azospiriilum brasilense +
Aspergillus awamori + 20 % N each through compost, green manure (Glyricidia maculata),
castor oil cake, vermicompost and 20% N through inorganic fertilizer with full recommended
dose P and K has significantly influenced soil microbial popUlation at all the stages of plant
growth. The highest bacterial population of (46.00, 53.00 and 53.50 x l06 cfu/g soil), soil
fungi (29.66, 30.66 and 30.43 x 103cfu/g soil) and actinomycetes of(5.00, 5.16 and 6.23 x
104 cfu/g soil) was recorded on 30 th , 45"' and 60 0, day respectively. Increased availability of
nitrogen (265.75 kg/ha), phosphorus (83.16 kg/ha) and potassium (276 .00 kg/ha) were noticed
in the above treatment plot, when compared to soils of control plots supplemented with
recommended dose of fertilizer only.
INM/O-9
EFFECT OF INTEGRATED NUTRIENT MANAGEMENT ON RlllZOSPHERE
MICRO F'LORA AND SUSTAINED SOIL HEALTH AND FERTILITY OF
MULBERRY

Das, P. K, Nandi, S., Katiyar, RS and Bhogesha, K

Central Sericultural Research and Training Institute, Mysore-570008
A study was conducted with an objective of improving rhizosphere micro flora of
mulberry through integrated nutrient management for attaining sustained soil health and
fertility. The study was conducted in an established V I mulberry garden under irrigated
condition at CSR&TI, Mysore. The treatments comprised of application offull recommended
dose of chemical fertilizers (300: 140: 140 NPK kg/halyr) as control
vis-a- vis half the
recommended dose of fertilizers supplemented with various organics as integrated nutrient
management (INM). The soil chemical analysis and assessment of rhizosphere microflora
were carried out before and after imposition of INM following standard methods. The INM
was strictly practiced by application of 50 % of chemical fertilizers and use of various organics
like compost, vermicompost, Azotobacter biofertilizer, phosphate solubilizing bacteria, green
manuring and also rock phosphate.
90

A hsfrOCIS

The analyzed data of one year (2003-2004) indicated a significant improvement in

the major soil nutrients including organic carbon following the integrated nutrient management
approach. The population of hetero tropic bacteria, fungi, actinomycetes, Azotobacter and
phosphate solubilizing bacteria in rhizosphere soil of mulberry also increased significantly
due to supplementation of chemical fertilizers through various organics as compared to the
application of full recommended dose of chemical fertilizers. Significant variation in the
population of different micro flora in the rhizosphere was also observed at different intervals.
The fungal species isolated from the rhizosphere soils largely belonged to fungi imperfecti
and were dominated by the species of Penicillum, Aspergillus and Verticillium while Mucor;
Yeast and a few Clado!>porium species were found as rare. The study clearly indicated the
possibilities of attaining sustained soil health of mulberry by improving rhizosphere micro flora
through the practice of INM.
INM/O-IO
INTEGRATED NUTRIENT MANAGEMENT IN MULBERRY

Prakash, H. Rand Shivashankar, KI

Department of Agriculture, Bangalore-560 001
IProfessor of Agronomy (Retd), UAS , Bangalore
Use of only inorganic fertilizers has affected the soil physical, chemical and biological
properties. The soil pH, cation exchange capacity, rate of infiltration and water holding capacity
are affected due to excessive use of inorganic fertilizers . This has also resulted in deficiency
of micro-nutrients . In Karnataka, more than one lakh soil samples are analyzed for
micronutrients status, which indicate that zinc is deficient in 71 % of soils, boron 28%, iron
26%, manganese 5% and copper 2%. farmers are spending around Rs. 6,600 per ha on NPK
fertilizers . Use of organics, biofertilizers and inorganics in a balanced manner will improve
soil health and maintain soil fertility with increased yield and quality of mulberry leaves.
Growing bio-diverse green manure seeds in between the rows of mulberry plants and
incorporation after 6 weeks, use of phosphorus-solubilizing and N-flXing bacterial biofertilizers
and use of inorganics with application of micronutrients, ZnS0 4 (25 kg/ha/year) and boric
acid (5 kg/ha/year) will increase and sustain the yield of mulberry with improved quality of
leaves.
INM/O-ll
INTEGRATED APPROACH OF NUTRIENT MANAGEMENT IN MULBERRY
UNDER IRRIGATED CONDITION

Shiv Nath, Sudhakar, P.,I Chatterjee, S., Ghosh, J.K., Ghosh, A and Sarkar, A
Central Sericultural Research and Training Institute, Berhampore- 742 10)
lRegional Sericultural Research Station, Kodathi, Bangalore
A field experiment was conducted for three years in established mulberry at CSR&TI,
Berhampore with an integrated approach of nutrient management in irrigated mulberry
combining different microbial manures, as biofertilizers like Azotobacter, Beijerinckia, PSBs,
91

National Seminar on Soil Health and Water Management for Sustainable Sericulture

VA mycorrhiza, and vermicompost with reduced levels of nitrogen (N) and phosphate (PP J
The results reveal no adverse effect on plant growth and leaf yield due to application of N
. and phosphate chemical fertilizers at 50% reduced doses when combined with 20 MT of
vennicompost and 20 kg/halyr of mixed biofertilizer containing Azotobacter, Beijerinckia
and PSBs as soil incorporation as compared to the recommended dose of 336 N, 180 pps
and 112 kg Kp along with 20 MT FYMIha/yr. Moreover, it was also observed that foliar
application of Azotobacter and PSBs instead of soil application of above mixed biofertilizer
was equally effective in the same comparison. An improvement in the leaf quality was also
observed . The study indicated the possibility of replacing 50% of the both major nutrients
inputs, N and PP5' when supplemented with different NFBs and PSB.

INM/O-12
MANAGEMENT OF MULBERRY UNDER LOW INPUT CONDITIONS TO
HASTEN SOILS HEALTH AND QUALITY LEAF PRODUCTlON

Jayaram, H., Urs, M.K.P., Katiyar, R.S., Bhogesha, K and Dandin, S.B
Central Sericultural Research and Training Institute, Mysore - 570 008
With the advent of new high yielding mulberry varieties, no doubt there is a significant
improvement in the leaf productivity and quality. However the new varieties of mulberry are
highly responsive to the soil nutrients and irrigation water at a larger extent. Moreover, with
the heavy dose of fertilizers and non-judicious use of irrigation water, there are possibilities
of deterioration of soil health and depletion of ground water resource in the long run. To
overcome this problem, a field experiment was conducted to evolve suitable agronomical
package for the already evaluated and identified mulberry genotypes (RCI and RC2) under
resource constraint conditions.
The experiment was laid in a split-split design having frequency of irrigation (two) as
the main effect, fertilizer dosages (four) as the sub effect and the varieties (three) as the subsub effect. An analysis of data revealed significant difference in the leaf yield due to main
effect of irrigation level at 36 mm CPE (24,517 Kglhalyr) as compared to the irrigation level
at 54 rom CPE (21,266 Kg leaf Iha/yr).
Significantly higher leaf yield was obtained due to the mulberry varieties RCI (24,475
kg /halyr) and RC2 (24,074 kg /ha/yr) over K-2 (20,125 kglha/yr).
No significant difference in leaf yield was observed due to fertilizer doses. Under the
low irrigation condition, the use of bio resources like Azotobacter, Phosphorus Solublising
Bacteria and green manuring orops enhanced the quality and productivity of leaf, besides
improving the soil health.
The study however revealed that, under scarce resource conditions, the management
practices adopted ensured quality leaf production without hampering the soil health. With
the economic scarcity all around, the use of water along with soil nutrients in the form of
chemical fertilizers has to be utilized judiciously to maintain the soil health and thereby
leading to sustainability in production.

92

Abstracts

INMlO-13
ENRICHED PRESSMUD AS A SOURCE OF ORGANIC MANURE TO SUSTAIN
PRODUCTIVITY OF MULBERRY GROWN IN AN ALFISOL
IN EASTERN DRY ZONE OF KARNATAKA

Saralakumari, Narayana Reddy, R., Ramakrishna Naika and Andani Gowda

Sericulture College, Chintamani-563 125
A field experiment was conducted in fanners' fields in alfisol (black soil) in the Eastern
dry zone of Karnataka to investigate the use of enriched pressmud either with NPK fertili zers
or FYM or BGSS or microorganisms. The study indicated an improvement in nutrient status
compared to pressmud only. The nutrient availability, uptake and crop yield were maximum
with enriched pressmud with 5% NPK and RDF, when compared to other treatments N, P, K,
S, Ca, Mg, Fe and Mn.
INM/O-14
IMPACT OF INM PRACTICES ON SOIL HEALTH AND MULBERRY LEAF AND
COCOON PRODUCTIVITY

Samuthiravelu, P., Hemanth Kumar, L., Qadri, S. M. H.,. and Jayaraj, S2

Research Extension Centre, CSB , Hosur / Krishnagiri
IRegional Sericultural Research Station, Salem
2 S.Jayaraj Research Foundation, Chennai
Fanner participatory research was undertaken in Hosur taluk, Krishnagri District, Tamil
Nadu to test verify and validate the INM - IPM - IFSM Module developed under a CSB
supported project. Benchmark survey and soil and water analysis were conducted in 5 farmers '
fields in one block. The pH of soils was ranging from 7.24 to 7.76, which is near neutral. The
soil having more than 7.75 pH can be easily corrected within a year by applying organic
manure. The EC of soils was in the range of 0.17 - 0.73 m mohs/cm, and OC% of 0.10 to
0.30, which was extremely low. Available N in the soils was ranging from 58 .8 to 85 .0 kg/ac
(Range for low N < 108 kg/ac). Similarly, P content was low (5 .0 kg/ac) in one soil and
medium in four soils (12.8 to 19.3 kg/ac). Potash was adequate. In the other village Dasaripalli,
the pH of five soils was ranging from 6.51 to 7.72, and EC of 0 .28 - 0.40 m mohs/ cm. All the
soils had OC% ranging from 0.15 to 0.53 . Available N was ranging from 70.7 to 81 .9 kg/ac.
Soil P content was ranging from 14.2 to 27.6 kg/ac. There was no deficiency of potash. The
pH of irrigation water was ranging from 7.0 to 8.36, and the EC was well within the nonnal
range 0.01 -1.20 with minimum brackishness. Similarly, the SAR (sodium absorption ratio)
was within 10 (range 4.3 to 11.7) and the water is harmless. The total hardness of water
samples was ranging from 230-490 ppm. Considering the parameters tested, the irrigation
water of the ten mulberry gardens was having normal quality.
With a view to improve soil productivity, daincha green manure seeds were sown one
time during the monsoon in all farmers' holdings in a year, and biofertilizer Azotobactor was
applied in four crops. Biocomposting was done and applied in the mulberry gardens. Soil
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National Seminar on Soil Heallh and Water Management for Suslainable Serjculture

improvement, mulberry leaf and cocoon yield were observed and the results are discussed.
Green leafy vegetable seeds viz., Palak and Methi were sown at 1.0 and 1.5 kg per 25
cent, respectively as intercrop in mulberry at one village, 4 days after pruning of mUlberry.
The economics was worked out and the results are discussed.
INMlO-15
THE IMPACT OF INM-IPM ON SERICULTURAL PRODUCTMTY IN
DINDIGULAND THENI DISTRICTS, TAMIL NADU

Sherief, Y.H., Anilkumar, T.R., Jayaraj, SJ and Qadri, S.M.IP

Research Extension Centre, Samayanallur, Madurai
I S. Jayaraj Research Foundation, Chennai
2 Regional Sericultural Research Station, Salem
The Integrated Nutrient management and Integrated Pest Management (INM-IPM)
studies were conducted in five farmers ' fields in Theni and Dindi,gul districts. The benchmark
survey showed that mulberry leaf yield ranged between 8.0 to 13 .0 MT/ha/crop. The soil pH
ranged from 6.0 to 8.2, EC 0.45-1 .30 m mohs/cm, OC 0.18-0.84% in Dindigul district and pH
7.89-8 .81 , EC 0.18- 1.0 m mohs/cm and OC 0.29- 0.8% in the soils of Theni district,
respectively. The mean green manure biomass generated was 0.8 MT/ac/and 1.49 MT/acl
crop in Dindigul and Them districts, respectively. The weeds in the INM plots were suppressed
by the growth of green manure cover crops to an extent of 34.5%. Biomass and leaf yield of
mulberry showed increase (20.42 and 10.84%) when compared to control plot (19.71 and
10.36%). Leaf webber and tukra were controlled by neem oil 3% spray.
lNM/O-16
COMBINATION OFLEISA PRACTICES FOR SUSTAINABLE SERICULTURE

Kallimani, C.S and Ravindranath Reddy

AME Foundation, Bellary
LEISA (Low External Input for Sustainable Agriculture) technologies are promoted for
achieving sustainability in agriculture for the resource poor small and marginal farmers of
Bellary area. As sericulture is important in the area, emphasis was given to efficient utilization
of natural resources for mulberry cultivation and cocoon production. Farmers have adopted
improved agronomic practices like removing one row after every two rows from the existing
old close spacing mulberry gardens. Cutting of trenches in between the paired rows and
filling with biomass like seri-wastes, leaves of Pongamia and Cassia spp., and applying
compost culture (mixture of Phenerochaete chrysosporium, Pleurotous sp ., PSB and
Trichoderma) by mixing with FYM or compost or Vermicompost has enhanced the process
of degradation. This method besides providing nutrients to the crop also helped in moisture
conservation. Further, farmers have adopted drip irrigation in mulberry for efficient use of
water.
94

Absi raCIS

For building soil fertility through integrated nutrient management practices farmers
have adopted application of biofertilizers like Seri-Azo and Seri-Phos, growing and
incorporating green manure crops like sunnhemp or daincha in between the paired rows,
application of leevamrutha (a biodigestive slurry) to the root zone of mulberry, apart from
regular application of FYM, compost and vermicompost. By these methods farmers could
save water and reduce application of chemical fertilizer to the tune of SO% and increased leaf
yield up to 25% (from 16,000 kg to 20, 000 kg).
Application of plant based bed disinfectant (Ankush) was better than the chemical bed
disinfectants. To overcome the damage by uzi fly, farmers are using turmeric powder solution
mixed with detergent. It was possible to trap 10-15 flies per day. The use of chemicals was
avoided with cost effectiveness. By adopting all these LEISA practices fam1ers could rear SO
to 100 more number ofDFLs per acre per crop (from 200 to 300 DFLs).
INM/O-I7

EFFECT OF FOLIAR NUTRIENTS ON THE GROWfH, QUALITY AND YIELD

OF MULBERRY
Chikkaswamy, B.K., Paramanik, R.CI., Gopinath, S.MI and Sbivashankar, M
Bangalore University, Bangalore-S60056
'R. K. Institute of Management and Computer Science, Bangalore-S60037
Micronutrients are known to influence the growth, quality and yield of mulberry leaves.
The present investigation was undertaken to study the effect of Tracel. Navaras, Mircon
's' 20. Amruth, Paras, Plantovit and Micromixture at different concentrations on Msmulberry.
Foliar applications of micronutrients at two levels with a water spray as control were given
one month before cach shoot harvest. The results revea led that Navaras at 1.0% gave a fo liage
yield of IS .1 MT/ha. Tracel at 1.5 kg/ha gave a yield of 13 .2 MT/ha, and Micron 'S '20 at 0.5%
gave 13.4 MT/ha . Navra at 1.0% I ha and Micron ' S'20 at O.S% recorded highest number of
93 and 91 leaves per plant respectively, which also resulted in maximum leaf area on 45 1h and
60 th days.

INM/O-1S
INFLUENCE OF DIFFERENT ORGANIC MANURES ON GROWfH AND
ROOTING OF M5 AND VI MULBERRY SAPLINGS

Ashoka, J., Maojunatb Gowda, Sudbakara, S.N aod Bhaskar, R.NI

University of Agricultural Science, GKVK, Bangalore
'Sericulture College, UAS, Chintamani: 563 125.

The performance of M5 and VI mulberry varieties in basal rooting medium of soil and
sand (1 :1) supplemented with different organic manures, namely, fann yard manure, compost
and vermicompost was studied. The results revealed that though sprouting did not differ
significantly, the growth and rooting of the saplings varied markedly in different rooting
media. Total number of leaves per sapling (10.06) and shoot length of sapling (22 .89 cm) at
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National Seminar on Soil Healtl and Water Management for Sustainable Sericulture

60 DAP in M5 variety were significantly maximum in the media supplemented with compost.
In VI variety also the compost supplementation followed the similar trend. The rooting
parameters viz., root length and root biomass (both on fresh and dry weight basis) were found
to be significantly superior in rooting media added with organic manures and more so with
compost in both varieties. Shoot to root biomass ratio was also significantly higher in the
media supplemented with compost followed by basal medium supplemented with nitrogen in
both varieties.
INMlO-19
EFFECT OF N AND ~S04 FERTll..IZATION ON S36 MULBERRY AND ITS
INFLUENCE ON DISEASE INCIDENCE AND
SURVIVAL RATE OF SILKWORM
Raje

Gowda~

Shankar, M.A., Narayanaswamy, T.K and Hadimani, D.K

University of Agricultural Science, GKVK, Bangalore 560 065

Study was undertaken to find out the effect of different levels of nitrogen and potassium
sulphate on S36 mulberry leaf quality in tum its effect on silkworm survival rate and disease
incidence. Muscardine and NPV disease incidence was significantly lower (1.54 and 0.18%)
and survival rate higher (93.83%) when Pure Mysore worms were fed on leaves obtained by
application of N and K.S04 @ 300: 120 kg/ha/yr. Whereas, NB4D2 worms fed on leaves
obtained by application ofN and K 2S04 @ 300:200 recorded significantly lower muscardine
and NPV (0.82 and 1.5%) disease incidence and higher survival rate (91 .64%) over 300:) 20
(N and KCl) (2.19,3.36 and 88.8%, respectively). Similarly, PM x NBP2 worms fed on
leaves obtained by application of Nand K 2S0 4 @ 300:120 recorded significantly lower
muscardine and higher ERR (0.34 and 93 .05%), respectively. Higher cocoon weight was
recorded in PM (1.069g) and PM x NBP2 (1.510 g) @ 300: 120 Nand K.S04 applications.

INM/O-20
COMPARATIVE ECONOMICS OF SUSTAINABLE QUALITY MULBERRY
LEAF PRODUCTION UNDER VARIED SOURCES AND
LEVELS OF NITROGEN
Ravi Kumar, AI., Sbubha, K., Murtuza Khan, Bhaskar, R.N., Narayanaswamy,T.K I
Sericulture College, UAS, Chintamani-563 125.
'University of Agricultural Science, G.K.V.K , Bangalore-560 065.
Application of varied sources and levels of nitrogen (N) to VI variety of mulberry
revealed that, the estimated cost was Rs.36,388 for 75% ofN supplied through castor cake
and 25 per cent N through urea/halyear. The least cost ofRs. 25,093 was observed in respect
of 75% N through green leaf manure (GLM) and 25% N through urea/ha/year. However,
mulberry leaf yield was highest (56,940 kg) for recommended dose ofFYM and fertilizers/
ha/year with a gross return ofRs. 1,13,880, followed by leaf yield of 55,970 kg/ha/year with
100% N supplied through urea only. Further, application of recommended dose ofFYM and
fertilizers contributed the highest net profit of Rs.88,070 and least net profit of Rs.86,130

96

Abstract.1

was obtained with 100% full dose of N through urea. Finally, highest benefit cost ratio of
3.41: 1 was recorded with the application of recommended level of FYM and fertilizers in
leaf production, followed by a B:C ratio of 3.39:1 for 25% N through FYM and 75% N
through urea. It was 3.33: 1 B:C ratio for 100% N through urea only. Application of 75% N
through castor cake and 25% N through urea recorded least B:C ratio ofl.20 :1. The empirical
data confirmed that application of recommended dose @ 20 MT of FYM and 280:120: 120
NPK fertilizers/halyear, resulted in beneficial effect compared to other treatment combinations.

INMlO-21
GRAINAGE PARAMETERS OF SILKWORM AS INFLUENCED BY FEEDING
SCHEDULES OF MULBERRY LEAVES RAISED THROUGH
NITROGEN SUPPLEMENTATION
Sudhakara,S.N., Narayanaswamy,T.K and Ashoka, J
Department of Sericulture, University of Agricultural Sciences, Bangalore 560065
An experiment was conducted 011 grainage parameters of silkworm breed CS~ as
influenced by mulberry leaf raised through application of different organic sources and
inorganic fertilizers consisting of 13 treatments with four feeding schedules, viz., FS , (chawki
worms fed with S36 leaf + late age worms fed with Ms leaf), FS 2 (chawki worms fed with SJ6
leaf + late age worms fed with S36 Ieaf), FS 3 (chawki worms fed with Ms leaf + late age worms
fed with S36 1eaf) and FS 4 (chawki worms fed with M sleaf + late age wonns fed with Msleaf)
at main research station, Hebbal during 2004-05 . The results indicated that, out of four feeding
schedules; FS 2 was found to be significantly better for pupal duration (289.39 h), ratc of moth
emergence (88 .37%), fecundity (478.46 No .), hatchability (89.98%) and melting percentage
(2.85). Treatments consisting ofN supplementation through organic manures, biofertilizers
and inorganic sources; the treatment with 20 tonnes of compost + 300: 120: 120 kg NPK kg/
halyear (RDF) recorded maximum pupal weight (1 .17 g), rate of pupation (93 .17%), rate of
moth emergence (93.60%), fecundity (502 eggs/ laying) and hatchability (92 .32%). However,
in interaction effect FS 2 with RDF recorded highest values for the majority of grainage
parameters.

INM/O-22
BIOASSAY RESPONSE OF SOME GOOD ROOTING MULBERRY VARIETIES
RAISED AS TREES UNDER RAINFED CONDITIONS
IN KASHMrn
Baksh, S., Darzi, GM and Khan,M.A
Central Sericultural Research and Training Institute, Pampore, Srinagar - 190001
Mulberry trees grown under rain-fed conditions sustain sericulture, a subsidiary
occupation in Kashmir. Efforts were made to identify and evolve mulberry varieties for better
utilization of land and rain water. A study was made for two crops, one each in spring and
autumn season during 2004, on trees of eleven good rooting mulberry varieties to ascertain
their relative worth for silkworm rearing. It revealed marked differences among them in
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National Seminar on Soil Health and Water Management for Sustainable Sericlillure

terms of many bioassay parameters. Varieties C-4 and Tr-I 0 occupied the first two ranks in
that order. The weight often mature larvae (> 52.0 g), yieldll 0,000 larvae (> 19.70 kg), single
cocoon weight (>2.00 g) and shell weight (>0.395 g) recorded in C-4 and Tr-lO in spring
season was significantly higher than Chinese White (control) in which the corresponding
values were 44.67 g, 17.68 kg, 1.747 g and 0.335 g. In autumn season also, the two varieties
scored over the rest including the control in respect of the above parameters. Comparing the
seasons, the performance of all the varieties was found to be superior in spring than that in
autumn. Thus, while the overall mean regarding weight of ten mature larvae was 47 .94 g,
yieldllO,OOO larvae - 18.258 kg, single cocoon weight - 1.82] g, shell weight- 0.360 g in
spring, it was 33.85 g, 13.2] 8 kg, 1.316 g, 0.242 g, respectively in autumn. The fllament
length was also much higher in spring (898.42 m) than in autumn (67.6.61 m).
INM/O-23
PROSPECTS OF ORGANIC FARMING AND SUSTAINABILITY
IN TROPICAL TASAR

Mahobia, G PI., Sbankar Rao, K. V2 and Suryanarayana, N3

IRegional Tasar Research Station , Kalipur Road, Jagdalpur - 490005
2Regional Sericultural Research Station, Landiguda, Koraput - 764020
3Central Tasar Research & Training Institute, Ranchi - 835 303

Tasar culture is associated with forest ecosystem and is extensively practiced in

Chhattisgarh, Jharkband and Orissa. In order to reduce the undue reliance on chemical fertilizer
a pilot study was conducted on the effects of organic manuring for sustainable tasar culture in
Bastru' district of Cbhattisgarh.
The experiment was conducted in an established Tarjuna plantation under sandy red
morum soil and rainfed condition in a randomized block design with 5 treatments and each
treatment having 3 replications. The treatments were as follows : I] F.Y.M @ 20 MT I ha, 2]
Vermicompost @ 5.6 MT/ha, 3] Sunnhemp mulch @ 40 kglha, 4] Leguminous Moong mulch
@ 40 kg/ha and 5] Control. A total of 6 crops were harvested and leaf quality was assessed
through tasar silkworm rearing.
The pooled data indicated a maximum leaf yield of 2622 kg/halcrop followed by
sunnhemp mulch (2360 kg), farm yard manure (2286 kg), moong mulch (2259 kg) and control
(2084 kg). The application ofvennicompost has enhanced the leaf yield by 21.97% over the
control which is significant without the usage of inorganic fertilizer.
Bio-assay study of the different treatments through Daba BV tasar silkworm rearing
indicated that there was marginal difference in ERR, cocoon weight and shell weight between
the treatments. However, all the treatments exhibited significantly higher performance in
leaf and cocoon yield over control which indicates sustainability of organic farming in tasar
culture.

98

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INM/O-24
.,d adults
INTEGRATED PEST MANAGEMENT FOR SUSTAINABLE SERICULrURI!.'; by

S. Jayaraj
Sustainable Farm & Rural Development Centre, SJayaraj Research Foundation,
Chennai
Insect pests are one of the major constraints in mulberry sericulture. Several workers
have estimated crop losses by insect pests in mulberry in S.lndia: mulberry leaf folder (1215%), Bihar hairy caterpillar (25-30%), and tukra mealy bug (10-15%) . Leaf yield loss by
tukra alone was: about 4500 kg/ha/year, brushing loss about 450 dfls/ha/year, and decline in
cocoon production was about 150 kg/ha/year. Intensive cultivation of mulberry is largely
responsible for severe pest problems . The causes for pest outbreaks include extensive
monocultures, overlapping crop seasons and pruning schedules, excessive application of
chemical fertilizers and irrigation water, very narrow diversity of natural enemy complexes,
and lack of intercropping systems with eco-feast / sacrifice / trap crops to prevent severe pest
outbreaks. Sustainable pest management practices were tested through farmer participation
mode in S. India to suit the local sericultural ecosystem for avoidance of major pests such as
tukra mealy bug, Ma conellicoccus hirsutus and leaf webber Diaphania pu/veru/entalis on
mulberry. Soil analysis (pH, EC, ~C , macro and micronutrients and microflora) was done to
relate with pest and natural enemy population levels . Soil-test based integrated nutrient
management (INM) practices were practiced, and excessive fertilizer nitrogen was avoided.
Cropping system management included eco-feast crop (cowpea and maize) to enhance the
natural enemy population, especially the ladybird beetle, Cheilomenes sexmaculala . The
impact of soil fertility management, orgaruc manuring, host plant resistance, cropping systems
and natural enemies on sustainable IPM in sericulture is highlighted .
INMIO-2S
PROMOTION OF BIO-CONTROL AGENTS FOR MANAGEMENT OF
UZI FLY EXORISTA BOMBYCIS (LOUIS)

Shekhar, M.A., Vinod Kumar, Sathyaprasad, K and Kariappa, B.K

Central Sericultural Research and Trairllng Institute, Srirampura, Mysore-570008
In India, the most serious pest of silkworm is an endoparasitoid, Exorista bombycis
(Louis) commonly known as uzifly. This parasitoid inflicts 10-15% loss to silkworm crop,
which accounts for 3-5 kg cocoon loss per 100 layings. The agro-chemicals, which playa key
role for pest management in agricultural crops, find limited role in the field of sericulture
because of their toxicity to silkworm. It has prompted the Entomologists to look for potential
alternatives such as bio-control agents. Nesolynx thymus, an ectopupal parasitoid of uzifly,
has been recommended as a biocontrol component of IPM package against uzi fly as it
possesses the desirable attribute of a good biocontrol agent life efficient host searching ability,
high degree of host specificity, ability to synchronize its life cycle with that of its host,
adaptability to host habitat, amenability to laboratory multiplication etc. Mass production of
N.thymus can be done either by using naturally occurring uzi fly pupae in cocoon markets or
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I Seminar on Soil Heal/I: and Water Management for Sustainable Sericulture

Itt oratory reared house fly pupae. In recent years, a protocol has been developed by Pest
Management Laboratory of CSR&TI, Mysore for mass production of house fly pupa by
using locally available cheap materials like cow dung cake, ragi flour, wheat brawn, yeast for
larval diet. Milk powder and sugar serves as adult diet. The release of Nthymus, produced
on host fly pupa, is being carried out in all sericultural villages of Yelandur Taluk of
Chamarajnagar district since July 2004. It has brought down the uzi fly incidence below 5%
in the above area. In the present paper, the cost of establishment of mass production unit,
requirement of parasitoid for sericulture industry, production cost, advantages of N thymus
production on house fly pupa are described. Further, the role of various Sericultural agencies
to promote the use ofbiocontrol agent for management ofuzi fly is also discussed.

INM/O-26
FIELD EVALUATION OF IPM AGAINST LEAF ROLLER, DIAPHANIA
PULVERULENTALIS H. (LEPIDOPTERA: PYRALIDlAE)

Sathyaprasad, K., Shekhar, M.A., Vinod Kumar and Kariappa, B.K

Central Sericultural Research and Training Institute, Srirampura, Mysore-570008
Leaf roller, Diaphania pulverulentalis is one of the major pests which attack mulberry
in the three southern sericultural states viz., Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh and Tamil Nadu
causing considerable yield loss. In the present study, an rPM against leaf roller comprising
mechanical (clipping and destruction of the pest affected portions), biological (release of egg
parasitoid Trichogramma chilonis and pupal parasitoid, Tetrastichus howaardii on 3,d, 10m
and 301h days after pruning) and chemical (spray of 0,076% DDVP on 15 th day of pruning and
neem pesticide on 25 1h days of pruning) implemented in the mulberry gardens of farmers in
selected villages for field evaluation and demonstration of the JPM package. The
implementation of the package resulted in 75% pest suppression. The results are discussed
in the light of extent of damage caused by the pest and the extent of pest suppression through
integrated pest management strategies.
INM/O-27
EFFECT OF CERTAIN MEDICINAL PLANT EXTRACTS IN THE
CONTROL OF MULBERRY MEALY BUGS

Govindaiah, M. C. Gayathri and Nagaveni,V

Dept. of Studies in Sericulture, Dept. of Botany,
Bangalore University, Bangalore-560 056
Efficacy of aqueous leaf extracts of medicinal plants namely Eucalyptus globules,
Ocimum sanctum and Piper betle were evaluated against the hatching of eggs, mortality of
nymphs and adults and fecundity of mealy bugs (Maconellicoccus hirsutus Green) under in
vitro conditions. Totally, seven concentrations at 1, 5, 10,20,5070 and 100% were tested.
The results revealed that with the increase in concentration of plant extracts, there was a
corresponding decrease in nymphal and adult mortality and fecundity. Hatching of eggs was
minimum at 100% concentration in E. globules (20%) followed by o.sanctum (30.42%) and
100

Abstracts

P belle (36.06%) over control (96.73%). The growth and development of nymphs and adults
were adversely affected after the treatments. The duration of nymphal stage was reduced by
2-10 days in E.globules, 1-7 days in o.sonetum and 1-2 days inPbetle at higher concentrations.
However, at lower concentrations it was prolonged by 2-4 days in aU the three extracts. At
lower concentrations the mortality of adults was on par with the control. Similarly, the adult
duration was also reduced by 3-4 days at 100% concentration and prolonged by 5-6 days at
lower concentrations in all the extracts. With the increase in concentrations of the extracts
there was decrease in the fecundity of eggs. Thus, the leaf extract of E.g/abu/us was found to
be most effective followed by o.sanctum and Pbelle against mealy bugs.

INM/O-28
IMPACT OF INTEGRATED PEST MANAGEMENT MODULES IN
MULBERRY CROP SYSTEM FOR SUSTAINABLE SERICULTURE

Rajadurai, S., Veeraiab, T.M', Narendra Kumar, J.B ' ., Haribararaju,A

and Jayaraj, S2
Research Extension Centre, Madivala, Kolar District
'Regional Sericultural Research Station, Kodathi, Bangalore-560 035
2SJayaraj Research Foundation, Chennai
Integrated Pest Management utilizes all suitable pest suppression techniques in as much
compatible manner as possible in order to keep or maintain the pest population below those
causing economic injury. lPM in mulberry crop system yielded prominent results in view of
feasibility in production of leaves as well as cocoons.
In the present study, an attempt has been made to find out the impact of important IPM
components viz., biological control Parasitoids (pupal parasitoid Tefrasfiehus howardii, egg
parasitoid Trichogramma ehilonis and larval parasitoid Bracon brevicornis) and predator
(ladybird beetle Cryptolaemus monfrouzieri) and chemical control - plant product (Neem
oil) and pesticide (DDVP) against important mulberry pests (Mealybug, Maconellicoccus
hirsutus and leaf roller Diaphania pulverulentalis) with five treatments in selected villages
of Kolar district of Kamataka.
Results indicate that the release of natural enemies and Neem oil spray found effective
and advantageous over other treatments and its cost-benefit ratio was found to be economical
i.e., 1: 1.6. Further it is eco-friendly in approach, which leads to its recommendation for the
control of pests in question.

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National Seminar on Soil Healtll and Water Management for Sustainable Sericullure

INMfO-29
. EFFICACY OF CERTAIN BOTANICAL AND ORGANIC FORMULATIONS IN
CONTROLLING THE ROOT-ROT DISEASE IN MULBERRY

Venkataramana, P., Narasimha Murthy, B., Krishna Rao, J.V. I and Dandin, S. B2
Research Extension Centre, Vikarabad - 501 101
Regional Sericultural Research Station, Anantapur- 515 00 I
2 Central Sericultural Research and Training Institute, Mysore- 570 008
I

Among the soil-born diseases of mulberry, dry-rot (Fusarium solani), collar rot (Phoma
sorghina and P.mororum) and die-back (Botryopdiplodia theobramae) are major fungal
diseases, which cause severe mortality of cuttings and death of saplings as well as established
plants. Besides, the diseases reduce the leaf yield to the tune of 14-15% and affect the leaf
quality. Several cultural, chemical, biological and integrated methods were developed by
earlier scientists to control the diseases but their efficacy was found to be not up to the
desired level. Hence, the present study has been undertaken to control the root- rot disease in
nursery and established mulberry plantation by using certain botanical and organic formulations
in randomized block design (RBD) during the summer seasons of 2004 - 06. Four crops
results indicated that, due to botanical and organic formulations root-rot disease was suppressed
significantly (P<0.05) compared to the respective controls. Further, the survivability of
saplings in nursery and plants in established garden enhanced significantly (P<0.05). The
established techniques and the impact of botanical and organic formulations on various
parameters of saplings and established plants are discussed.
INMlO-30
STUDIES ON IMPROVING FERTILIZER NITROGEN USE EFFICIENCY, AND
IRRIGATION WATER AND MANAGEMENT OF TUKRA

Ravikumar, J., Hemanthkumar, L., Vijayakumar, R., Muthulakshmi, M.,

Samuthiravelu, P., Jayaraj, S. I and Qadri, S.M.H 2
Research Extension Centre, Krishnagiri.
Sustainable Farm & Rural Development Centre, SJRF, Chennai.
2 Regional Sericultural Research Station, Salem.
Among all the major plant nutrients, nitrogen is highly mobile in the soil throughout the
crop period. It is readily soluble and it moves in all directions in soil with water. Nitrogen is
lost by leaching, volatilization of ammonia from surface, denitrification in submerged
condition, and by other methods, viz., run-off, seepage, immobilization and fixation by
microorganisms. Fertilizer uSe efficiency can be improved by proper method of application,
time of application, water management and weed management. However, it is again dependent
upon crop and variety, sources of nutrient, plant population and plant protection measures.
Hence, a study was taken up in a randomized block design with eight treatments and three
replications: (i) 11 Fl PI - Irrigation at 6 days interval (12 times I crop) + Existing fertilizer
levels applied as single dose (350 : 140 : 140 Kg NPK) + crop protection by DDVP Spray.
102

Abstracts

(ii) 11 F1 P2 -Irrigation at 6 days interval (12 times/crop) + Existing fertilizer levels applied
as single dose (350:140 :140 Kg NPK) + crop protection by neem oil 3%. (iii) II F2 PI Irrigation at 6 days interval (12 times /crop) + Fertilizer nitrogen reduced by 25% and applied
in 2 splits / crop at 10 and 30 days after pruning (OAP) + crop protection by ODVP spray. (iv)
11 F2 P2 - Irrigation at 6 days interval ( 12 times/crop) + Fertilizer nitrogen reduced by 25%
and applied in 2 splits / crop at 10 and 30 DAP + crop protection by neem oil 3%. (v) I 2 FI
PI - Irrigation at 8 days interval (9 times/crop) + Existing fertilizer levels applied as in (i).
(vi) 12 Fl P2 -Irrigation at 8 days interval (9 times/crop) + Existing fertilizer levels applied
as single dose + crop protection by neem oil.3% single dose, crop protection by ODVP spray.
(vii) 12 F2 Pl- Irrigation at 8 days interval (9 times/crop), fertilizer N reduced by 25% and
applied in 2 splits / crop at 10 and 30 DAP + crop protection by DDVP spray. (viii) 12 F2 P2
- Irrigation at 8 days interval (9 times/crop), fertilizer N reduced by 25% and applied in 2
splits / crop at 10 and 30 DAP. and crop protection by neem oil 3%. Observations were made
on the soil chemical properties, microbial load, mulberry leaf quality, yield attributes and
tukra incidence. Studies show that the mulberry leaf yield was found to bc on par in the
treatments IlFIPl , llFlP2, IlF2Pl and IIF2P2 .

INM/O-31
SERICULTURE CENTRIC INTEGRATED FARMING - SOME ISSUES
Shivashankar, K, Raghunatha, G and Vcnkata Rao, B.V
Environment Education Foundation, Bangalore
With phenomenally sub-marginal and marginal holdi 19S, farmers experience shortage
of capital resources for investment and severe constraints in use of natural resources of soil,
water and diversity of cropping / livestock - based avocations.
Why do the mulberry-farmers not diversify to embrace " Integrated Farming"
satisfactorily? Why dry land farmers also do not introduce mulberry, animals and value
addition? Research and extension priorities need sharp focusing on problems of these farmers.
Dialogues / Seminars with farmers from Kaiwara and Chintamani indicated need for change
in approaches.
Some priorities are:
1. Introduction of pulses cash crops and agro forestry in mulberry; and of mulberry with
pulses / oil seeds, agroforestry / fodder in dry lands
2. Working out ecologically and economically viable units of cropping and crop- animal
combinations including value added processing units.
3. Pooling processing aspects / products towards marketing on lines of "Milk Cooperatives" to secure right prices and
4. Developing infrastructure of varied components of "Farming Systems" with loans on
easy terms and integrated technical support from "Development Departments" through
"Single Window" delivery system.

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National Seminar on Soil Health and Water Management Jor Sustainable Sericulture

It is mulberry, silkworm rearing and manufacturing silk which offers great potential for
adopting farming systems either by a mulberry farmer or a dry land farmer.
Goals to be set are: a) Gainful employment and

b) Value- addition

Farming with livestock components helps in restoring soil fertility. With crops or mulberry
alone and without drip irrigation, ground water exploitation is proceeding unabatedly. We
need to halt degradation of soil and water resources and work towards sustainability with
greater economic retums through Sericulture Centric Integrated Farming Systems
INM/O-32

INTEGRATED FARMING SYSTEMS MANAGEMENT FOR SUSTAINABLE

SERICULTURE- A CASE STUDY IN KOLAR DISTRICT
Veeraiah, T.M., Rajadurai, SI., Ramamohana Rao, P2., Harihararaju, A.I and
Jayaraj, SJ
Regional Sericultural Research Station, Kodathi, Bangalore-560 035
'Research Extension Centre, Madivala, Kolar District
2Central Sericultural Research & Training Institute, Mysore
3S.Jayaraj Research Foundation, Chennai
Integration of crop farming alongwitb livestock, poultry etc., benefit the farmers in
terms of improvement in livelihood considerably. Besides increasing productivity, many fold
it maintains the sustainability and profitability. In view of the importance onntegrated Farming
Systems, a case study was conducted in Kolar district to find out a sustainable mixed farming
which is economically viable by integrating the different components like sericulture, livestock
and poultry.
Growth and income generation ofRambule sheep (46 sheep were supplied to 27 farmers
of three villages) and Giriraja birds (10 chicks per farmer were supplied to 27 farmers of
three villages), besides the production of manure of both sheep and poultry birds, were
estimated. The studies on growth of rambule sheep and chicks revealed that weight gain of
20.54 kg and 3.76 kg was observed after 180 days, respectively. The economics ofrarnbule
sheep and Giriraja birds rearing have been worked out and found a net income of Rs. 5000
per sheep and Rs. 7030 per 10 chicks, at the end of 2nd year. It was observed that rambule
sheep produced 250g faecal matter/sheep and Giriraja birds produced 50g faecal matter/lO
birds for making FYM.
Results indicate that integrated farming systems with Rambule sheep and Giriraja birds
are the beneficial system which can augment the income of sericulturists to improve their
socio-economic status.

104

A /)s truc (.\

INM/O-33
SERICULTURE BASED FARMING SYSTEMS
Bhaskar, S., Shivashaokar, K, Narayaoaswamy, KC aod Vijayakrishoa, N
University of Agricultural Sciences, GKVK, Bangalore- 560065

During silkworm rearing, a sizeable quantity of sericultural wastes like lcaf litter and
excreta are produced. One-acre garden planted with VI mulberry variety could sustain rearing
of 500 dfis. This in tum generates about 20 MT of left over leaf litter per annum taking into
consideration that one can take five crops in a year and each generates nearly 80 kg of leaf
litter per 100 dfls. This forms a valuable green foddcr and can meet one third of feed
requirement of two cross-bred cows or four sheep. Besides, the total quantity of excreta
generated concomitantly could amount tolO MT with appreciable quantities of nutrients.
Adopting suitable composting techniques can further enrich nutrient composition. Nutrient
recycling to mulberry gardens not only brings improvement in soil fertility but also contributes
for positive integrations and favourable energy now among enterprises in fanning systems .
Presently, paired row system of mulberry cultivation is followed in order to produce quality
leaf. However, wide rows in between paired rows favour the growth of weeds and increase
cost on weed control. This can be overcome by cultivating vegetables under irrigated conditions
or finger millet or any other dry land crop under rain fed conditions. The byproducts of dry
land crops would augment the dry fodder requirement. Excreta could also be an input for fish
culture. Considering more strengths, opportunities and few weaknesses and threats in
sericulturc, a farming system involving sericulture plus dairy plus agriculture or sericulture
plus dairy plus horticulture could be a viable and sustainable fanning system in Southern
Kamataka, West Bengal, Andhra Pradesh and in parts of Tamil Nadu .
INMlO-34
USE OF SILKWORM LITTER AS CATTLE l<~EED IN DAIRY PRODUCTION IN
IRRIGATED SERI-ECOSYSTEM: STATUS AND ECONOMIC BENEFITS
Jagadish, N., Chinnaswamy, KP., Fatima, S.) Rashmi, K and Geetha Devi,T
University of Agricultural Science , GKVK, Bangalore-65

A field survey was conducted among the selected silkworm rearers of MaUur,
Thaledimbanahalli and Sonnenahalli of Sidlaghatta to know the extent of use of silkworm
excreta by the rearers as concentrated feed of milch animals. It is evident that among the 18
small farmers, one farmer (5.56%) did not use silkworm litter as concentrated feed and 17
farmers (94.48%) have used. Out of 17 farmers, 8 farmers (47.05%) were saving less than
Rs.I00 per crop, 9 farmers (52.95%) between Rs.l 01-300 per crop and none of the fanners
was saving more than Rs.301 per crop. Among the 18 medium farmers, 16 (11 .12%) did not
use silkworm litter as concentrated feed and 16 farmers (83.88%) have used. Six farmers
(37.50%) were saving less than Rs.I00 per crop, 9 fanners (56.25%) between Rs.IOl-300
per crop and one fanner (6.25%) more than RsJOl per crop out of 16 fanners by using
silkwonn litter as concentrated feed.
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National Seminar on Soil HeaWI and Water Management/or Sustainable Sericulturc

Among the 18 big farmers, four farmers (22.23%) did not use silkworm litter as
concentrated feeds and 14 farmers (77.77%) have used the silkworm litter as concentrated
feed of milch animals. Out of 14 farmers, one farmer (7.14%) was saving Rs.l 00 per crop, 11
farmers (78.58%) between Rs.I01-300 per crop and 2 farmers (14.28%) more than Rs.301
per crop. Out of 54 farmers, 47 farmers (87.04%) used the silkworm litter as feed competent
to replace the concentrate feed, while 7 farmers (12.96%) did not use the silkworm litter as
concentrate feed. Among the 47 farmers, 29 farmers (61.70%) saved Rs.101 to 300,15 farmers
(31.92%) saved less than Rs. 100 and only 3 farmers (6.38%) saved more than Rs.301 per
crop.
POSTER PRESENTATION
INMIP-l
EFFECT OF VARIOUS LEVELS OF SOIL POTASSIUM ON THE UPTAKE OF
PHOSPHORUS, QUALITY AND YIELD OF MULBERRY
Subbaswamy. M.R., Vedavyasa, 1(., Reddy, M.M and Dandin, S.B
Central Sericultural Research and Training Institute, Mysore-570008
Balanced nutrient supply is essential for quality and yield of mulberry to cater to the
need of silkworms. Potassium is an essential element for sustainable yield of quality mulberry
leaf. Essentiality of potassium for better silkworm growth and increased cocoon production
has been established by earlier workers. Available potassium status of soils of mulberry gardens
in Karnataka, Tamil Nadu and Andhra Pradesh is medium to high. Judicious application of
potassium is essential to ensure quality mulberry leaf avoiding antagonistic effect on the
uptake of phosphorus. An experiment was conducted from 2002 to 2005 on various levels of
potassium on the uptake of phosphorus, quality and yield of mulberry. It was found that
application of 90 kg/ha/yr of potassium is adequate to maintain the quality and yield of
mu~berry leaf, thus avoiding the antagonistic effect on the uptake of phosphorus .
INMIP-2
IMPACT OF GREEN MANURING CROPS ON WEED SUPPRESSION AND
MULBERRY LEAF YIELD IMPROVEMENT FOR
SUSTAINABLESERJCULTURE
Rajadurai, S., Veeraiah, T.M'.,Jaishankart,Harihararaju, A. and Jayaraj, S2
Research Extension Centre, Madivala, Kolar District
'Regional Sericultural Research Station, Kodathi, Bangalore-560 035
2SJayaraj Research Foundation, Chennai
Green manuring crops helps in a big way that it brings bulky organic manures to a
greater extent which in turn improves the biomass production of a main crop. Some of the
green manuring crops add organic matter and nitrogen supplementation to the mulberry, besides
checking weed growth.

106

Abstracts

In the present study, the impact of green manuring crops, namely Sunnhemp, cowpea
and daincha, were studied in three villages of Kolar district in order to analyse the weed
suppression and mulberry leaf yield improvement. The data revealed that Sunnhemp shows
highest percent of weed suppression (68.67%) than daincha (64.35%) and cowpea (62.19%).
The mulberry leaf yield improvement was found high in Sunnhemp (15.91 %) than daincha
(11.69%) and cowpea (8 .22%).
Results indicate that green manuring crops helps mulberry plantation by way of
suppressing weeds and thereby improving the leaf yield.

INM/P-3
PERFORMANCE OF SUNNHEMP AND DAINCHA GREEN MANURE COVER
CROPS IN MULBERRY CROPPING SYSTEM
Ravikumar, J., Hcmanthkumar, L., Vijayakumar, R., Jayaraj, S.1 and Qadri, S.M.H
.Research Extension Centre, CSB, Krishnagiri
'Sustainable Farm & Rural Development Centre, SJRF, Chennai
2Regional Sericultural Research Station, CSB, Salem

Cropping system implies an association of different crops and their interaction. The
interaction in a mulberry cropping system may be made complementary by adopting enough
seed rate and proper time of sowing of sunnhemp and daincha green manure cover crops,
which would pave way for effective soil health management. In this study, the sunnbemp and
daincha were sown @ 8, 10 and 12 kg / ac to standardize the seed rate. After standardizing the
seed rate, the same was sown on 71\ 141), and 21 SI day after pruning of mulberry in inter-row
spacing. Results indicated that the seed rate of 12 kg / ac and sowing on 7th or 14th day after
pruning for daincha and sunnhemp, respectively, was found ideal. Data on weed suppression,
nwnber of nodules/plant, biomass production, dry matter production and mulberry leaf yield
were collected. Daincha performed better in alkaline soil conditions. Biochemical analysis
of mulberry leaf, daincha and weed samples were also carried out and the results are discussed.

INMIP-4
DAINCHA ROOT NODULE BORERS IN MULBERRY ECOSYSTEM IN
TAMll,;NADU: A FlRST REPORT
Anil Kumar, T.RI., Sberief, Y.H I., Jayaraj. S 2 and Qadri, S.M.H 3
'Research Extension Centre, Samayanallur
2S.Jayaraj Reserch Foundation, Chennai
JRegional Sericultural Research Station, Salem.
Daincha (Sesbania aculeata) is found to be a useful green manure cover crop in wide
inter-row spaces of mulberry to supply nutrients, suppress weed population and improve soil
physical and chemical properties. Its utility was shown on a large scale in the Farmer
Participatory Research on Integrated Nutrient Management in many parts of Tamil Nadu
state. During the course of field observations on the effective nodulation by taking cross
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National Seminar on Soil Health and Waler Management for Sustainable Sericullure

sections of the nodules, the presence of grubs of a beetle and maggots/puparia of a fly was
.noticed. The larvae completely scooped out the contents of the nodule in the matured stage.
The dark pink area possessing high nitrogen content was eaten by the worms leaving only the
outer layer of the nodule. There was a maximum of 37% damage to the nodules in one field
near Theni in Tamil Nadu when the daincha crop was about 45 DAS and ready for pulling out
and incorporation in the soil. Our surveys showed that it was prevalent in varying levels in
Theni and Dindugal districts.
The grub and maggot pests could not be identified. The grub is a wireworm belonging
to Elateridae, Coleoptera. It measures about 3-4 rom in length and 1.5-2.0 mm in breadth.
The worm is white, cylindrical and the mandibles are heavily sclerotized. The anal segment
has a very strong highly sclerotized plate, with which it closes the hole made by it for feeding
inside the nodule. This serves as a protection from its enemies which cannot drag this out of
the nodule. The adult beetles could not be collected or reared. From the nodules affected by
the maggots, small dark flies similar to eye fly with reddish compound eyes and hyaline
wings, were collected in large numbers.
From the perusal of World literature, it is observed that these two types of borers
attack nodules of other legumes like soyabean, groundnut, pulses, etc. It has been shown that
the damaged nodules appear hallowed-out, and severe infestation produced nitrogen deficiency
symptoms in the leguminous crops. They were also known to attack germinating sf(eds,
seedlings or the root system of more matured plants. A thorough search of the nodules of
other leguminous crops in the Project area in Theni and Dindugal districts did not reveal the
presence of any borer in the nodules. It is quite possible that daincha is more susceptible as
it is raised as a cover crop in close spacing with high density, which attracted the pest from
some other legume. Sunnhemp plant populations available in the same field were free from
the nodule borers. As far as the authors are aware, there is no report of a legume nodule borer
in India. Further observations on identification, biology and management of the pests are
under progress. The mulberry root system in the gardens was found free from the above pest
incidence. Though the nodule borers are observed only in isolated places, there is a possibility
of their spread along with rain water in sloppy lands. Organic manuring and neem cake
application are being tried to encourage antagonistic organisms which would check the nodule
borers.

108

Abstracts

INM/P-S
IS DAINCHA (SESBANIA ACULEATA) A TRAP CROP FOR MULBERRY ROOTKNOT NEMATODE, MEL OIDOG YNE INCOGNITA?
Anilkumar, T. Rl, Jayaraj, S2., Sberief, Y.HI., Mahima Shanthjl, Rajavcl, D. S3.,
Kannaiyan, N 3 and Qadri, S.M.H4
I Research Extension Centre, SamayanaUur, Madurai
2 S. J. R. Foundation, Chennai
3Agricultural College & Research Institute, TNAU, Madurai
4 Regional Sericultural Research Station, Salem
During the course of survey of farmers' gardens of the CSB INM-IPM and IFSM project
in Theni and Dindigul districts of Tamil Nadu, a nematode problem was observed in the
green manure cover crop of daincha (Sesbania aculeala) plants. The roots were severely
affected by root-knot nematode, Meloidogyne incognita. The main crop mulberry was also
affected by the root knot nematode showing yellowing and stunting symptoms. The
pathogenicity level was found to be 234 J/250 g of soil. Observations showed that 22 percent
of daincha plants were affected with an average of 1.6 root knots per plant. About 18 perccnt
of daincha roots was also affected. Daincha seems to be a good trap crop for the nematode as
a cultural method of control of the nematode on mulberry. The roots of another green manure
intercrop sunnhemp (Crola/ariajuncea) cultivated as a mixed crop with daincha in between
mulberry rows were not affected by the nematode in the same garden.
INMIP-6

TEPHROSIA PURPUREA, A HARDY GREEN MANURE SPECIES TO IMPROVE

THE SOIL PHYSICAL PROPERTIES OF MULBERRY GARDENS - A NEW
REPORT
Masilamani, S., Jayaraj, SI., Qadri, S.M.H., Anirban Guba and Dandin. S.B2
Regional Sericultural Research Station, Salcm
. 'Sustainable Farm & Rural Development Centre, SJ.R.Foundation, Chennai
2Central Sericultural Research & Training Institute, Mysore
The common types of soils in tropics and sub-tropics are alfisols, ultisols and oxisols.
These soils present argillic horizons indicating that clay particles can move easily within the
soil profiles. Such horizons are present in the surface as crusts and in the sub-surface as a
hard pan or impervious layer. This type of hardpan in the soil at shallow depths (3-12") was
observed in a number of mulberry gardens selected for CSB INM-IPM and IFSM Farmer
Participatory Research projects in Salem district of Tamil Nadu. Such soils, despite having
the potential fertility for mulberry leaf production, actually produced low leaf yields due to
poor soil aeration, lower hydraulic conductivity and restricted root penetration resulting in
limited soil volume available to plants. These physical problems can be alleviated either by
chisel ploughing or raising a deep-rooted legume as an intercrop in mulberry gardens.
The present work is one such attempt to improve the physical properties of the soil by
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National Seminar on Soil Health and Water Management for Sustainable Sericulture

.raising a deep-rooted green manure crop in the farmers' mulberry gardens with hardpan subsoil. The wild indigo, Tephrosia purpurea (Linn.) Pers., belongs to the family Fabaceae, and
is called as' Kolinji 'in Tamil. It is a deep-rooted, self-sown and drought-tolerant legume. T
purpurea (seed rate@ 5 kg/ac/crop) andSesbania aculeata (Daincha) (seed rate@ 10 kg/ac/
crop) were raised as an intercrop each in an acre of land. Observations were recorded on
biomass, plant height, number and weight of nodules, and length and weight of the roots on
45 th DAS. Chemical analysis was also carried out for NPK contents. 'Student t' test was
employed and found significant difference for the metric traits. T purpurea produced higher
biomass (6.72 MT/ac/crop) with an average root length/weight of 34.2 cml4.8 g than S.
aculeate (biomass 5.4 MT/ac/crop; root length/weight 14.0 cm/1.8 g). Chemical analysis
revealed that N content was found higher in T purpurea (3.40%) than S. aculeata (3.14%) ,
which is attributed to the deep rooting ability ofthe former species in breaking the sub-soil
hard pan and utilized the nutrients available below 12" of soil. The P and K contents of T
purpurea (0.32% and 2.4%) and S. aculeata (0.41 % and 2.75) revealed not much difference.
Comparatively, the number and weight of nodules found were less in T purpurea (4 and 0.2
g) than S. aculeata (7 and 0.6 g). Subsequent crop observation revealed root penetration of
mulberry plant below the sub-soil hard pan (below 12") two months after pulling out the wild
indigo plants, and produced increased leaf yield (12.3%) in the T purpurea raised plots.
Therefore, it is strongly recommended to raise T purpurea as a green manure intercrop in
mulberry once a year to disturb the sub-soil hard pan and to improve the physical property of
the soil.
INMIP-7
MICRONUTRIENT SUPPLEMENT TO SEED CROP MULBERRY CULTIVATION

Dutta. R.N.,Jayappa,T.,Rajanna, K.L.,Kamble, C.K., Prabhakar, C.J and Manjula,A 1

Silkworm Seed Technology laboratory, Kodathi, Bangalore-560 035
INational Silkworm Seed Organisation, Bangalore -560 068
The role of micronutrient in mulberry leaf yield and quality production is known to
some extent. To know the method of micronutrient supplement to mulberry cultivation in a
deficient soil, the experiment conducted indicated the preference of micronutrient supplement
through different ways. If there is multiple deficiencies of zinc, boron and copper in the soil
of seed crop mulberry field there is no need of multiple application of these micronutrients at
a time. To compensate these micronutrients in soil to increase leaf yield and higher egg
recovery, boron application may be preferred through soil but soil application of zinc and
copper should be avoided. Zinc and boron foliar application may be preferred if required.
Further, soil + foliar application of boron may be preferred to increase leaf yield and egg
recovery simultaneous1y.

110

Absrracr.1

INMIP-8
CONTRIBUTORY FACTORS TO SUSTAIN SEED CROP
MULBERRY CULTIVATION
Dutta, R.N., Kamble,C.K and Jayappa,T
Silkworm Seed Technology laboratory, Kodathi, Bangalore-560 035
In the tropical condition the quantity and quality of leaf are quite variant depcnding
upon many factors. Among the major consideration of factors contributing towards 100%
achievement of yield and quality in improved mulberry variety (VI), there are 17%
contribution from the increased macronutrient input application, 10-30% from deficient
micronutrient supplement or its natural occurrence, 15-20% from cultural practices and 1015% contribution from plant protection measures whereas the varietal contribution may vary
from 48% to 18%. Hence this article suggests integrated approach for improving soil health .

TNM/P-9
IMPACT OF INTEGRATED TECHNOLOGY PACKAGE ON MULBERRY LEAF
AND COCOON PRODUCTIVITY IN
ANEKAL BIVOLJTNE SEED AREA
Jayarama Raju. P, Jagadeesh. N, Dayanada ' and Vccraiah. T.M2
Research Extension Ccntre, Bidaraguppe,
'CSR & TI, Mysore, 2Regional Sericultural Research Station, Kodathi , Bangalorc
Anckal Taluk is a premier Bivoltine Seed area of Karnataka catering to the needs of
sericulture industry by generating quality seed cocoons for commercial seed production . In
this area, a base line survey has been conducted and selected 20 farmers in Aadigondanahalli
village for Integrated Technology demonstration viz. , application of compost, biofertilizers,
green manuring and adoption of improved rearing tcclmologies . After one year of technology
demonstration the impact was asscssed . The study indicated that, there is significant
improvement in leaf biomass, cocoon crop survivability and pupation rate. The results are
discussed in the paper.

INMlP-lO
STUDIES ON INTEGRATED NUTRIENT MANAGEMENT IN RAINFED
MULBERRY AT FARMERS' LEVEL IN THE EASTERN GHAT
IDGHLAND ZONE OF KORAPUT DISTRICT IN ORISSA
Purohit, K.M., Dash, B.D ' ., Brahma, K. C and Saxena, N. N
Regional Sericultural Research Station, Koraput - 764020
ICentre for Sericulture Development, Ramgiri, Gajapati Dist
A field trial was conducted for three years in farmers' mulberry fields under rainfed
conditions in the tribal Lamtaput block of Koraput district in Orissa in the existing plantation
ofvar S 1635 with a spacing 0[90 x 90 cm. Farmyard manure I compost @ 10 MT/halyr, bio111

National Seminar on Soil Health and Water Management for Sustainable SeriClilture

fertilizers such as Nitrofert (Azotobacter) @ 10 kg/ha/yr in two equal split doses and
Phosphofert (Vesicular Arbuscular Mycorrhiza) @40 kg/ha once in four years were applied
along with N:P 20/ KP @ 75 :10:50 kg/ha/yr with N in two equal split doses. Plant growth
regulator (Morizyme - B ) @ 0.0 I % was applied after 15 and 30 days of leaf plucking/
pruning during autumn and spring crops. Silkworm rearing was conducted with recommended
package of practices with three crops/yr. The results indicated that the average annual leaf
yield due to combined use of the above inputs was 9481 .960 kg/ha/yr which was 14.5% gain
overcontrol (8279.271 kg/ha) and the average cocoon yield was 34.296 kgllOO dfls recording
10.2 % increase over control (31.12 kg/l 00 dfls).
The annual net income from a hectare of rainfed mulberry due to the adoption of integrated
nutrient management was Rs. 20,786/- vis-a-vis the conventional farmers' practice (Rs. 14784/-),
thereby earning an additional net income ofRs. 6,0021-.

INMIP-ll
INTEGRATED NUTRIENT SUPPLY FOR SUSTAINABLE MULBERRY LEAF
PRODUCTION IN ALKALINE SOILS OF ANDHRA PRADESH
Srinivasa Rao, T.V.S., Venngopal, A., Lavanyalatha, K., Harihara Rajn, A.,
Lakshminarayana, B., Krishna Rao, J.V and Jayaraj, SI
Regional Sericultural Research Station, Anantapur - 515 001
IS . Jayaraj Research Foundation, Chennai - 600 042
Among the various factors influencing a successful silkworm cocoon crop , the
contribution of the leaf quality alone is around 38% (Miyashita, 1986). In mulberry, the uptake
of nitrogen from soil is very heavy and hence high responses to application of nutrients have
been reported. Use of chemical fertilizer alone for increasing crop production is not sustainable
on long-term basis since it may lead to nutrient imbalance. On the other hand, total N
requirement of the crop is too large to be met through organic manures or bio-fertilizers
l:rlone. It is being increasingly realized that combined application of organic manure, chemical
fertilizer and biofertilizer is essential to maintain and improve the soil productivity. Intensive
cropping, unbalanced and improper use of fertilizers result in poor soil management. Green
manuring may also favourably alter the availability of several plant nutrients including zinc
and sulphur through its impact on chemical and biological properties of soils. In the light of
above, experiments were conducted for 3 years (2003-06) to assess the effect of inorganic
and organic sources of nitrogen on leaf yield, nitrogen uptake through leaf and soil fertility
for sustained production of mulberry leaf on an alkaline black loamy soil. Green manuring
daincha (Sesbania aculeata) with 50% of recommended dose of nitrogen (175 kg N/ha)
along with application of bacterial biofertilizers like Azotobacter and Azospirillum (20 kg/
ha) produced significantly higher leaf yield (41 MT/ha). The study also showed that integrated
nutrient management significantly improved the uptake of nitrogen (315 kg/ha). Combined
use of organic and inorganic sources of nitrogen increased the organic carbon content, improved
the soil reaction, microbial load and availability of phosphorus and potassium.

112

Abstracts

JNM/P-12
IMPROVEMENT OF SOIL FERTILITY IN MULBERRY CULTIVATION BY
INTEGRATED NUTRIENT MANAGEMENT
Shivashankar, N.S., Veeraiah.T.MI., Jaishankar l and Jayaraj, S2
Research Extension Center, Sub unit, Kanakapura
JRegional Sericultural Research Station, Kodathi , Bangalore-560 035
2S. Jayaraj Research Foundation, Chennai, 600 042
Soil fertility management plays an important role in mulberry cultivation, as it is a
perennial and high biomass producing plant, quick nutrient depletion of the soil occurs. The
chemical fertilizer and farmyard manure, the two important components in achieving thc
optimum mulberry yield under irrigated conditions are becoming increasingly in short supply
and costly leading to their less application, there by affecting the soil health and fertility.
Integrated nutrient management studies were undertaken in three villages with 30 farmers
(10 farmers per village) under Research Extension Center Sub unit Kanakapura . The INM
module was implemented by sowing sunnhemp (Crotalariajuncea) as in situ green manure
crop, incorporation ofSeri-azo (a free living nitrogen-fixing bacteria), Rhizobium (a symbiotic
nitrogen-fixing bacteria) as seed inoculants and Seri-phos (phosphate solubilising bacteria) .
The soil analysis was conducted before and after the module implementation and the
preliminary trends indicated significant improvement in organic carbon (0.26 to 0.56%),
available phosphorus (16.9 to 17.8 kg/ha) and available potash (308 kg to 323 kg/ha).

INM/P-13
IMPACT OF ECO-FRIENDLY FARMING ON QUALITY MULBERRY
AND COCOON PRODUCTION
Anantha Raman, K.V., Shanthala, Rand Vceraiah,T.M
Regional Sericultural Research Station, Kodathi , Bangalore -560 035
Continuous and intensive use of chemical fertilizers for higher yields of crops after the
advent of Green Revolution era has resulted in deterioration of soil health by retarding
microbial activity, and reducing organic carbon %, soil aggregation qualities, humus content
and micronutrients. These qualitative changes are well documented in mulberry crop too. In
the present scenario of bivoltine sericulture for production of gradable Indian silk, it has
become essential to produce quality mulberry foliage economically. The cumulative effect of
indiscriminate use of chemical fertilizers is posing a serious threat to the very survival of
mulberry garden due to susceptibility to outbreak of soil-borne diseases and poor nutritive
quality of leaves reducing the profitability to the sericulturists.
It is high time to focus on the new eco-friendly package of practices to ameliorate and
rejuvenate the soil to enable to produce the huge biomass of improved quality to support the
silkworm crop. Presently, several attempts are made to reduce the chemical fertilizer input by
using composts and other organic manures to meet the nutrient demand. The present study
focuses on the qualitative variations on the leaf quality, yield parameters and cocoon
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National Seminar on Soil Health and Water Management Jor Sustainable Serlculture

productivity, with different inputs of composts to supplement NPK and reducing the chemical
fertilizers. Silkworm rearing results also indicated that leaves fed from compost supplied
mulberry garden are superior to the traditional plantations with NPK supplemented through
chemical fertilizers. Further it was also documented that the returns from this technology are
much higher compared to the present package of practices.

INM/P-14
STUDIES ON THE UPTAKE OF SOIL NUTRIENTS THROUGH DIFFERENT
METHODS OF PLANTING MULBERRY
Hemanthkumar, V., Ravikumar, J1"Vijayakumar, Rl., Jayaraj, S2,and Qadri, S.M.H 3
'Research Extension Centre, Krishnagiri
1 Sustainable Fann & Rural Development Centre, SJ.R. Foundation, Chennai
3Regional Sericult.ural Research Station, Salem
Depth of planting and spacing play an important role in the uptake of nutrients for better
mulberry growth. To quantify these attributes, observations were made on certain mulberry
growth parameters in a randomized block design with 5 treatments and replicated 4 times.
The treatments were T1 - Stem cuttings of pencil thickness, shallow planting without pit
mixture but with FYM planted in 2' x 2' spacing. T2 - Thicker cuttings of thumb thickness,
shallow planting as in Tl . T3 - Thicker cuttings planted at a depth of 1 ft in 3' x 3' spacing
with pit mixture consisting of neem cake, Trichoderma viride, Pseudomonas sp ., PSB,
Azotobacter and VAM in 3' x 3 ' spacing. T4 - Saplings planted at 1 ft. depth with pit mixture
in }- x 3 ft spacing. T5 - Saplings planted at 15 cm depth without pit mixture in 3 x 3 ft
spacing. Data were collected on stem girth, plant height, leaf area and leaf yield. Results
revealed that the treatment T4 was to be found better than other treatments .
INMIP-lS
COMPARATIVE STUDIES ON NITROGEN-FIXING BACTERIA
AZOSPIRILLUM AND AZOTOBACTER ON
MULBERRY LEAF PRODUCTION
Hemantbkumar, L., Ravikumar, .1., Vijayakumar, R., Mutbulaksbmi, M.,
Samuthiravelu, P., Jayaraj, S I and Qadri, S.M.H 2
Research Extension Centre, Krishnagiri
'Sustainable Farm & Rural Development Centre, S.J.R. Foundation, Chennai
lRegional Sericultural Research Station, Salem

In recent times, much prominence is attached to replace the chemical fertilizers with
organic manures for better soil management and mulberry leaf production. Among the different
plant nutrients, nitrogen is one of the major inputs in mUlberry. Many of the farmers cannot
afford the application of recommended doses of chemical fertilizers due to the high cost.
Hence, application of biofertilizers has become an inevitable alternative to overcome the
price factor and the haza,rdous impact of chemical fertilizers on soil and plant ecosystem. The
treatments in the present study comprised of un-inoculated plots (control) with full dose of
114

Abstracts

chemical fertilizer, and reduced dosages of nitrogenous fertilizer to 75% and 50% level with
combination of nitrogen~fIxing bio biofertilizers, viz; Azotobacter and Azospirillum @ 1.6
kg/ac/crop in each case. The biofertilizers were applied after pruning by mixing thoroughly
with powdered weU~decomposed FYM, and the soil was kept moist during the application
for better survival and multiplication of bacteria in the mulbeny field . Data were collected
on mulberry plant parameters and leaf yield . Results showed that the application of
Azospirillum @ 1.6 kg/ac/crop with 75% of recommended nitrogenous fertilizer increased
the leaf yield signifIcantly.
INM/P~16

ORGANIC MANURING FOR SUSTAINING MULBERRY LEAF PRODUCTION

IN THE EASTERN DRY ZONE OF KARNATAKA

Saralakumari, Narayana Reddy, R., Ramakrishna Naika and Andani Gowda

Sericulture College, VAS,

Chil1tamani~563

125

Organic farming and improvement in soil health in mulbeny is feasible and recommended
only to poor farmers, who cannot afford to invest in chemical fertilizers . These farmers have
access to naturally available organic manures in villages (FYM , coir pith, pressmud, sewage,
green manure and leaf manure). The other INM practices include 75~50 % of RDF with
organics. Based on research fIndings in the' Eastern dry zone of Kamataka 1/3 of organic
manures is recommended. Farmers are adopting this practice and have found a reduction of
22-25% in mineral nitrogen fertilizer.

INM/P-17
EFFECT OF INTEGRATED NUTRIENT MANAGEMENT ON QUALITY AND
PRODUCTIVITY OF MULBERRY

Vijaya Naidu, B., Reddy, M.P., Rao, D.M.R 1., Reddy, D.C and Krishna Rao, J.V
Regional Sericultural Research Station, Anantapur.
(Central Sericultural Research & Training Institute, Mysore.
A fIeld experiment was conducted during 2003-2006 at Regional Sericultural Research
Station, Anantapur, Andhra Pradesh on the effect of integrated nutrient supply in mulbeny in
red sandy soils. The experiment was in split - split plot design in 3 replications with 3
different fertilizer doses, viz., FI = 20 MT FYM + NPK @ 300: 120: 120 kg/ha/yr, F2 = 20
MT FYM + NPK @ 350:140:140 kg/ha/yr. and F3 = 10 MT FYM + NPK @ 175:70:70 kgl
ha/yr. + 3 MT vermicompost (VC) + Vesicular Arbuscular Mycorrhizae (VAM) + Bio-fertilizer
(Azotobacter) (23 kg/ha/yr.) + Phosphorus Solubiiising Bacteria (PSB) (5 kg/ha/yr) + spray
ofVipul + green manuring, following two spacings, viz., S 1 = 90 cm x 90 cm, S2 = (120 cm
+ 90 cm) x 60 cm) and 3 mulbeny varieties, viz., VI, S-13 and Anantha. The analysed leaf
yield (kglha/yr) data of two years indicated that F2 (39,055) has given significantly more leaf
yield over FI (37,040) and F3 (37,235). Fertilizer dose F3 has given more leaf yield than FI
with 50% reduction in chemical fertilizers. Addition of soil organic manures like FYM,
vermicompost, bio-fertilizers, VAM and green manuring improved the soil physico-chemical
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National Seminar on Soil Health and Water Management for Sustainable Sericullure

properties and thereby improved the productivity. Das et al., (1994) and Jaishankar et al.,
(2005) have reported the beneficial effect of application of bio-fertilizers and green manuring
in mulbeny by curtailing 50% of the recommended dose of chemical nitrogen application.
This suggests that Azotobacter has played a significant role in nitrogen flXation to compensate
the curtailed nitrogen which maintained the leaf yield at par with application of 300 kg NlhaJ
yr. Three bio-assay studies conducted with popular silkworm race, viz., PM x CSR2 indicated
that the cocoon parameters like single cocoon weight and silk ratio % were superior in F3 to
F1.
INMlP-18
MPACT OF INM-IPM MODULE AND SERICULTURE TECHNOLOGIES FOR
IMPROVEMENT OF MULBERRY LEAF AND COCOON YIELDS FARMERS' PARTICIPATORY APPROACH

Kasi Reddy, B., Srinivasa Rao, T.V.S., Reddy, D.C and Krishna Rao, J.V
Regional Sericultural Research Station, Anantapur -515 001
Use of higher doses of chemical fertilizers resulted in higher yields but had adverse
effect on the soil conditions. The nitrogenous fertilizers also led to many pests and diseases
besides causing environmental pollution. Following the introduction of Institute Village
Linkage Programme, the present study was initiated to improve mulbeny leaf and cocoon
yields through INM-IPM module by curtailing chemical fertilizers and pesticides and adoption
of various improved sericulture technologies through Farmers Participatory approach.
For the study, 30 farmers having V-I mulbeny gardens with drip irrigation system in
three villages near Hindupur in Anantapur district were selected along with 10 control farmcrs.
The initial benchmark average leaf yield of35 to 40 MTlhaJyear with V-l variety was increased
to 39 to 45 MT/haJyear, and cocoon yield from 48 to 52 kg/l 00 dfls to 53 to 6] kgll 00 dfls
due to adoption ofINM-IPM module. Installation of drip irrigation system saved about 40%
water as compared to flood irrigation system and also an improvement of 12% in mulbeny
leaf and 14% in cocoon yield over control was recorded. The cost: benefit ratio was increased
from 1:1.7 to 1: 2.80.
INMIP-19
IMPACT OF INTEGRATED NUTRIENT MANAGEMENT ON SOIL HEALTH

Ravikumar, J I., Hemanthkumar,V., Vijayakumar, R'., Jayaraj, S2

aDd Qadri, S.M.H 3
'Research Extension Centre, Krishnagiri
lSustainable Farm & Rural Development Centre S.J. R. Foundation, Chennai
3Regional Sericultural Research Station, Salem
Soil is a mixture of inorganic particles, decaying organic matter, air and water in different
proportions besides living organisms. Intensive chemical farming leads to soil degradation
and pollution of ground water and water bodies with nitrate nitrogen, phosphates and pesticides.
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Hence, proper soil management without deteriorating soil health/wealth has become essential
to protect the ecosystem . In the present study, after benchmark survey, INM components,
viz., (1) raising of daincha as cover crop, (2) application ofFYM / biocompost / vcnnicompost,
(3) application of Azospirillum and PSB at recommended doses, (4) application of 75% of
recommended N fertilizer with 60 kg of neem oilcake / ac. and full dose ofP and K fertilizer,
and (5) neem oil spraying for pest management was adopted. After three years, the soil was
analyzed and the results revealed improvement in both physical and chemical properties
besides increasing the population of soil microbes.

INMIP-20
IMPACT OF INM-IPM MODULE ON MULBERRY ECO-SYSTEM AND
COCOON PRODUCTION
Ravikumar, J I., Hemanthkumar, V., Vijayakumar, R I.,
Jayaraj, S2 and Qadri, S.M.H 3
IResearch Extension Centre, Krishnagiri
2Sustainable Farm & Rural Development Centre SJ. R. Foundation, Chennai
3Regional Sericultural Research Station, Salem
As mulberry is a perennial crop, it depletes much of the nutrients from the soil for its
growth and leaf production. Hence, it is inevitable to enrich the soil for its sustainability.
With this objective, INM-IPM module has been developed with several components: 1. Sowing
of daincha treated with Rhizobium once in a year @ 10 kg/ac/crop 2. Neem oil I % spray on
10th day after pruning for controlling leaf webber and tukra mealy bug . 3. Application of
Azospirillum @ 1.6 kg and PSB @ 2 kg/ac/crop mixed with 80 kgs of well-powdered FYM
was applied followed by copious irrigation. 4. Application ofbio compost prepared by using
Trichoderma viride and DMC besides vermicompost. Data on &rrecn manure plant parameters,
weed suppression, soil macrofauna (Earthwonns, Centipedes and Millipedes), mulberry
parameters, incidence of tukra mealy bug, leaf webber, occurrence of coccinellids and spiders
were colleceted. Further, the impact of modulc on cocoon production was also studied.

INM/P-21
EFFECT OF PHOSPHORUS SOURCES AND SOLUBILIZING
MICROORGANISMS ON GROWfH AND YIELD OF MULBERRY
Raje Gowda; Shankar, M.A and Hadimani, D.K
Department of Sericulture, GKVK, VAS, Bangalore 560065
A field experiment was carried out under irrigated condition to investigate the effect of
P sources and P-solubilizing microorganisms (PSM) on growth and yield of mulberry.
Application of P through water soluble phosphate (WSP) like single superphospahte (SSP),
diammonium phosphate (DAP) or combination ofWSP and rock phosphate (as Mussoorrie
phosgafsapbos) in 1: 1 ratio was found to be superior to Mussoorrie rock phosphate (MRP)
and gafsaphos (GP) on inoculation of PSM with WSP + RP (1: 1) ratio gave significnalty
higher growth and yield parameters, viz., shoot height, number of shoots, number of leaves
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and fresh leaf yield per plant. Further, from among the treatments, application ofWSP, RP or
combination ofWSP + RP (1: 1) with inoculum, application ofP through SSP + MRP (1: 1) +
Aspergillus awamori and SSP + GP (1:1). A. awamori recorded significantly higher total
fresh leaf yield as compared to SSP. Nevertheless, applications of P through MRP and GP
were on par with each other. However, the highest benefit - cost ratio was observed in SSP
+ GP (1:1) + A. awamori followed by SSP+ MRP (1 :1)A. awamori.
INM/P-22
STUDIES ON THE EFFECT OF CERTAIN COMMERCIAL FOLIAR SPRAYS ON
MULBERRY
Chikkaswamy, B. K
Department of Sericulture, Bangalore University, Bangalore-560 056
The effect ofVipul at 0.5 and 1.0% as foliar spray was studied with M5mulberry under
irrigated condhions. Observations were made on leaf yield, leaf moisture, number of shoots
and number of leaves, and nutrient contents for a period of three years. All the formulations
studied recorded distinct variations with respect to their concentrations. The differences with
respect to the effect of foliar sprays were of special interest. Details of data will be discussed
in the context of their suitabiJity for field application.
INMIP-23
EFECT OF FOLIAR SPRAY OF NAVARAS ON GROWTH
AND LEAF PRODUCTION OF MULBERRY
Cbikkaswamy, B. K
Department of Sericulture, Bangalore University, Bangalore-560 056
Navaras a proprietary commercial nutrient was used in the present study. 0.5%, 0.75%
and 0.1% aqueous solution of Navaras were sprayed twice during each leaf crop period under
a 5 leaf crop schedule in Kanva -2 mulberry variety of 4' x 4' spacing. Results indicate that
two aqueous sprays of Navaras 0.5%, 0.75% and 0.1 % significantly increased the linear
growth and number ofleaves per plant as well as leaf yield, with other biochemical parameters
over single spray and also control. The economics of the Navaras spray was worked out and
it was found that two aqueous sprays of 0.1 % Navaras gave highest net return per hectare per
year than that of 0.75% and 0.5% of Navaras sprays.
~tn~ ~tlo.

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118

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Abstracts

lNMlP-24
EFFECT OF BIOINOCULANTS AND ORGANIC MANURES ON THE YIELD
AND QUALITY OF S36 MULBERRY
Murali,

c., Sreeramulu, K.R., Narayanaswamy, T.KI., Shankar, M.A2 and

Amarnatha, NI
Dept. of Agricultural microbiology, Department of Sericulture ' and Dryland
Agriculture 2
University of Agricultural Sciences, GKVK, Bangalore-560 065
The effect of bioinoculants and organic manures on yield and quality of S )6 mulberry
variety conducted during rabi season 2005-06 has revealed that the application of 1Okg each
of Azospiriilum brasilense + Aspergillus awamori + 20 per cent N each through compost,
green manure (Glyricidia maclllata), castor oil cake, Vermicompost and 20 per cent N through
inorganic fertilizer with full recommended dose of P and K through chemical fertilizers has
significantly increased the 8 36 mulberry leaf yield (288.66 g/plant and 8.06 MT/halcrop).
Significantly improved quality parameters like total chlorophyll content (2.54 mg/g), total
soluble sugars (10.69 mg/g), crude protein (18 .59 mg/g), total soluble protein (9.90 mg/g)
were recorded. Where as, increased moisture content in plant leaves was noticed in plots
treated with the 10kg each of Azo.\pirrilum brasilense + Aspergillus awamori + 20 per cent
N each through compost, green manure (Glyricidia maculata), castor oil cake, Vermicompost
compared to control plants which were supplemented only with recommended dose of
fertilizer.
INMlP-25
IMPACT OF ORGANICS, BIOINOCULANTS ON NITROGEN AND
PHOSPHORUS UPTAKE IN S36 MULBERRY GARDEN
Murali, C., Sreeramulu, K.R., Narayanaswamy, T.K I., Shankar, M.A2 and
Amarnatha, N '
Dept of Agricultural microbiology, Department of Sericulture ' and Dryland
Agriculture 2
Univer ity of Agricultural Sciences, GKVK, Bangalore-560 065
The effect of organics and bioinoculants on plant nutrient uptake in mulberry variety S36
was studied during rabi season 2005-06. The results have revealed that application of
bioinoculant 10 kg each of Azospiriilum brasilense + Aspergillus awamori + 20 per cent N
each through compost, green manure (Glyricidia maculata), castor oil cake, Vermicompost
and 20 per cent N through inorganic fertilizer with full recommended dose P and K through
chemical fertilizers had significantly influenced the plant for higher nitrogen uptake (55 .28
kg / ha Icrop) and phosphorus uptake (38.19 kg/ha/crop) compared to control plants which
were supplemented only with recommended dose of fertilizers.

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1NMIP-26
PERFORMANCE OF LATE AGE SILKWORM REARING AS INFLUENCED BY
FEEDING SCHEDULES OF MULBERRY LEAF RAISED THROUGH NITROGEN
SUPPLEMENTATION

Sudhakara, S. N., Narayana wamy, T. K and Ashoka, J

Department of Sericulture,
University of Agricultural Sciences, GKVK, Bangalore-560 065
Bivoltine silkworm breed CS~ was reared at main research station, Hebbal, Bangalore
during 2004-05 on mulberry grown with the application of nitrogen through different organic
sources and inorganic fertilizers consisting of 13 treatments with four feeding schedules.
Among four feeding schedules; FS 2recorded significantly higher values for matured larval
weight (40.42 gl10 larvae), silk gland weight (0.777 g), effective rate of rearing (85 .98 %),
while the lower values for disease incidence (14.17%), moulting duration (4.98 days) and
larval duration (26.83 days). However, in different treatments consisting ofN supplementation
through organic manures, biofertilizers and inorganic sources; the treatment with 20 tonnes
of compost + 300: 120: 120 kg NPK kg I ha I year (RDF) recorded maximum values for
matured larval weight (40.62 gil 0 larvae), silk gland weight (0.788 g), effective rate of rearing
(89.75%) and lower values for disease incidence (10.25%), moulting duration (4.30 days)
and larval duration (26.12 days). Whereas in interactions, FS 2 with RDF recorded higher
values for matured larval weight, silk gland weight and effective rate of rearing (42.21 gl10
larvae; 0.836 g and 94.16% respectively) and lower values for disease incidence and larval
duration (5 .83% and 26.08 days).
INMIP-27
IMPACT OF VARIED SOURCES AND LEVELS OF NITROGEN ON SILK
COCOON PRODUCTION: AN ECONOMIC ANALYSIS
IRavi Kumar, A., Shubha, K., Murtuza Khan, Bhaskar, R.N.,
INarayanaswamy, T.K
Sericulture College, UAS, Bangalore, Chintamani-563 125
IDepartment of Sericulture, U.A.S, G.K.Y.K, Bangalore-560 065
An investigation was conducted on application ofFYM, green leaf manure (GLM) and
castor cake (CC) along with different levels of Nitrogen (N) in the form of urea to VI variety
of mulberry revealed positive effect on silk cocoon production in CS~ x CSR4 and PM x
NBP2 silkworm hybrids. The estimated cost of production per 100 dfls was found to be
highest ofRs. 4,053 when full N (100%) was supplied through urea to mUlberry. While the
cost was Rs. 3,530 when 25% N was supplied through GLM and 75% N through urea. The
least estimated cost of production per 100 dfls was of Rs. 3,205 and Rs. 2,795 for CS~ x
CSR4 and PM x NB4D2 respectively. Further, the highest cocoon yield of65.77 kg and 58.04
kg per 100 dfls was recorded for both the silkworm hybrids when 50% ofN supplied through
castor cake and 50% of N through urea, respectively. The corresponding estimated cost of
production was Rs. 10,852 and Rs. 8,125. However, a full dose (100%) ofN supplied through
120

Abs tl'QC{.f

urea registered least cocoon yield of 54 kg and 47.25 kg per 100 dfls with gross retum of
Rs.8 ,9 10 and Rs. 6,615 for both the hybrids. The experiment clearly indicated that, soil
application of 50% N through castor cake and 50% N through urea contributed highest nel
profit of Rs. 7,463 and Rs. 5,169 in both the silkwonn hybrids. Finally, thc empirical data
confirmed that the benefit cost ratio was highest 2.20: 1 and 1.74: 1 with same level ofN (50%
N as castor cake and 50% N as urea) application in both the silkworm hybrids, respectively.

INM/P-28
DISSEMINATION OF DRY LAND FARMING TECHNIQUES IN MULBERRY
THROUGH FARMER PARTICIPATORY PROGRAMME
Ja yaram, H., Srikantswamy, K., Bhogesha, K and Nagaraj, B
Central Sericultural Research and Training Institute, Mysore - 570 008
Working with farmers for technology development has been a challenging task, as the
effort involves the process of convincing, acceptance, adoption and continuation. In this
regard many of the field-oriented problems are to be solved with a direct approach involving
the farmers for successfully accomplishing the needs at the field Jevel. Hence a participatory
type of research project was proposed with a view of introducing efTective in -situ soil moisture
conservation practices in farmers' mulberry gardens for effective land use management.
The experiment on in situ soil moisturc conservation was taken up as a participatory
research programmc in the selected farmers' garden in the rainfed belt ofChamarajanagara.
The farmers in the region were acquainted with certain localized techniques of in situ soil
moisture conservation like, repeated ploughing in the mulberry garden and guddali pruning
during summer. However these conventional methods were not aiding in the conscrvation of
soil moisture in a significant way. With the introduction of watershed programmes in the
area, suitable conservation measures were recommended and introduced.
With a need to maintain the essential soil moisture conditions all through the year in
general and during dry spells in particular, the mulberry gardens were exposed to improved
in situ soil moisture conservation practices viz ., conservation furrows with tied ridging and
conservation furrow with vertical mulching, in addition to the existing local practices of in
situ soil moisture conservation like, repeated ploughing in mulberry garden, 'guddali' pruning
during summer season etc. The experiment ' with ' and 'without', improved in situ soil moisture
conservation practices were imposed in 32 selected farmers ' gardens. There was a!1
improvement in the soil moisture at different depths (0-30 cm) in treatment conservation
furrow with tied ridges (16.30 %) as compared to control (10.25%). There was an improvement
in the leaf yield up to 12 per cent with an improved soil moisture status (16.30%) in the field.
The average leaf yield under treated plots was 14500 kglha/yr as compared to control (12800
kg/ha/yr). The attitudinal factors revealed that, there was a significant orientation towards
the improved conservation practices.

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INMIP-29
EFFECT OF SOIL MOISTURE CONSERVATION TECHNIQUES AND
FERTILITY STATUS IN MULBERRY IMPROVEMENT
UNDER RAINFED CONDITION
Srikantaswamy, K., Mala V. Rajan and Vijaya prakash
Central Sericultural and Research and Training Institute, Mysore
The sericulture belt of Chamarajanagar district of Karnataka represents the traditional
rain fed area. About 80% of farmers are practicing sericulture mainly for their livelihood.
Soil moisture plays an important role in influencing the leaf yield. Adequate soil moisture is
the chief constraint. The main causes for the moisture stress are low minfaU, highly erratic
and punctuated with long dry spells, run off losses due to the poor water retention, infiltration
and evapotranspiration. When the rain ceases, the mulberry fields are exposed to a prolonged
drought leading to poor leaf and cocoon productivity. On the other hand, foliar diseases like
leaf spot, leaf rust, powdery mildew and leaf blight cause considerable loss in leaf productivity.
To save the mulberry from such drastic physiological set backs, improved management focuses
not only improve the crop productivity, also in maintaining and improving soil fertility status
/ moisture for sustainable leaf production. In recent years, research activities are directed
towards the exploitation of organiclbioresources namely FYM, Compost, Vermicompost and
Green manuring integrating with plant growth promoting microbe (PGPMs) for crop
productivity and for the management of pest and diseases. In order to overcome such problems,
an experiment was under taken for a period of three years (2001 - 2004) in field conditions at
RSRS Chamarajanagar. For the purpose of the study three treatments were imposed in RBD
viz Farmers practice (TO ~ Guddali Pruning, FYM (5 MT) with regular cultural operations),
Recommended Practice( T1 - NPK at 100 : 50 : 50 in 2,1 &1 splits, respectively + FYM (10
MT), Pruning ht 30 cm) and Modified RSRS package ( summer ploughing + application of
FYM + ridge and furrow making + green manure mulch (during monsoon) + Biofertilizers
+ covering of rows with other cover crops ). Studies revealed that" in situ" soil moisture
conservation practices viz., as summer ploughing + application of FYM + ridge and furrow
making + green manure mulch (during monsoon) + Biofertilizersl crop cover with crop
residues significantly improve the leaf yield (over 30%) against the conventional practice
besides improving the soil moisture, OC, EC, N, P and K contents and also suppressing the
leaf spot and powdery mildew disease incidence. The bioassay results indicated no significant
effect in cocoon characters such as cocoon weight, shell weight and shell ratio there by
suggesting that leaf quality is not affected though the nitrogen application was curtailed by
50% of recommended dosage. The present investigation clearly indicates that mulberry
responds effectively to Organic mulches viz., Sunnbemp, Dhaincha, Cassia, with crop residues
coverage to conserve the moisture, control ofrun off water increases infiltration capacity and
also increase the nutrient supply for the sustainable productivity. Dry fanning integrated with
vermicompost, compost, green manure mulch and plant growth promoting microbes could
be taken up in large ~cale at the farmers' field to minimize the expenditure on chemical
fertilizers/fungicides besides improving soil fertility and inducing the systemic resistance for
sustainable leaf production.
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INMIP-30
USE OF LIQUID BIOFERTILIZER FOR MULBERRY PRODUCTION AND
SUSTAINABLE SOIL HEALTH.
Sukanta Saba., Das, P.K., Katiyar, R.S and Reddy, M.M
Central Sericultural Research and Training Institute, Mysore-570008
An experiment was carried out at Central Sericultural Research and Training lnstitute,
Mysore during 2005-2006 to compare the performance of liquid biofertilizer formulations
over carrier based formulations on mulberry leaf yield, quality and soil health under irrigated
condition. The experiment was laid out in an established V-I mulberry garden with 90 cm x
90 cm spacing under Randomized Block Design (RBD) with 10 treatments and 3 replications.
The treatments were comprised of3 liquid biofertilizer formulations (Azotoba cter, Phosphate
Solubilizing microorganisms and Potash mobilizing bacteria), 3 carrier based biofertilizer
formulations (Seri-Azo, Seri-Phos and Potash mobilizing bacteria) and 3 mode of application
(Foliar application of liquid biofertilizer, Rhizosphere application of liquid biofertilizer and
soil application of carrier based formulations) with one control.
In general the application of liquid biofertilizer formulations as foliar spray have
significantly improved mulberry leaf yield and quality. However, in the present investigation
the role of potash mobilizing bacteria Frateuria aurentia belonging to the family
Pseudomonaceae in liquid or carrier based forms was found to be quite promising when
applied in the rhizosphere of mulberry. This is attributed to the extra ability of this bacteria to
mobilize K in all types of soils having pH ranging from 5 - II . The soil in the present study
was red loam (Alfisol) with pH 7.96 - 8.08 and was thus found to be highly suitable for the
use ofK-mobilizing biofertilizer for better soil health.
INMlP-31
IMPACT OF INM / lPM / lFSM PACKAGES IN INCREASING PRODUCTIVITY
AND SERlCULTURE INCOME
Rajcswara Rao. N., Rao, T.V.S.St, Krishna Rao, J.V! and Jayaraj. S2
Research Extension Centre, Haresamudram Post, Madakasira-515 30 I
I Regional Sericultural Research Station, Anantapur, 2S. J.R. Foundation, Chennai
Sustainable sericulture development programme through integrated nutrient pest and
disease management is being implemented in Madakasira zone (Andhra Pradesh) with 30
farmers' holdings. They are characterized by low rainfall I growld water level, red sandy
alkali soils, hard pan at a depth of IS cm from the surface of the soil, low in all macro and
micro nutrients and very low beneficial micro flora. Prior to the implementation of the
project, farmers practicing traditional packages were getting an average cocoon yield of 3540 kg per 100 dfls. INMIIPM/IFSM technologies like green manuring (daincha), biofertilizers
(Azospirillum + PSB), vermicomposting, trap cropping and integrated pest and disease control,
etc., were implemented. Through these packages, the mulberry leaf yield increased from 40
MT to 60 MTIha/year (50%). DFLs consumption increased. from 200 DFLs to 400 DFLs/
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National Seminar on Soil Health and Water Management for Sustainable Sericullure

crop (100%). Average cocoon yield increased to 75 kg/IOO DFLs (from 45 kg, 66% increase
and a range 68 to 84 kg). The fanners almost stopped the usage of chemical fertilizers. The
impact ofINMIIPMlIFSM in improvement of the farmer sericulture productivity and income
is discussed.
INMIP-32
FERTI-DRIP mRlGATION IN MULBERRY WITH REFERENCE TO
LEAF YIELD AND COCOON PRODUCTION
Shivakumar. H.R and Shivasbankar. K'
010 Commissioner of Commercial Taxes, Bangalore

'Professor and Head (Retd.), Dept. of Agronomy & Forestry, GKVK, Bangalore-65
An experiment was conducted on red sandy loam soil at the Research Station, Hebbal to
analyze the impact of ferti-drip irrigation in mulberry with special reference to leaf and cocoon
yields. The experiment consisted of 12 treatment combinations involving the methods of
irrigation (furrow irrigation and drip irrigation each at 0.6 and 0.8 JW ICPE) and normal
fertilizers under furrow irrigation and water soluble fertilizers under ferti-drip irrigation,
each at four levels (55, 70,85 and 100% of recommended fertilizers) in split plot design with
three replications.
Fertigation treatments resulted in improvement of leaf number, area and dry matter to a
considerable extent as compared to traditionally irrigated and fertilized plots, which reflected
in significant improvement ofleafyield (24.7%) and leaf quality parameters like leafmoisture
(13%), leaf chlorophyll (8.5%), leaf nitrate nitrogen (9.2%) and crude protein (8 .6%) contents.
Consequent to the improvement in leaf quality, the silkworm growth (9.6%), cocoon yield
(3 .8%) and silk quality parameters like filament length (9.6%) and filament weight (12.5%)
were improved. It was possible to save 15-30 per cent fertilizer with additional improvement
in leaf yield, leaf quality, cocoon yield and quality characters.
INMIP-33
CHANGES IN SOIL PROPERTIES DUE TO THE APPLICATION OF
DISTILLERY SPENTWASH IN AN IRRIGATED MULBERRY GARDEN
Madhusudhana, G, Srinivasamurthy, C.A., Bhaskar, S' and Narayanaswamy, K.C2
Dept. of Soil Science, 'Dept. of Agronomy, 2Dept. of Sericulture
University of Agricultural Sciences, GKVK, Bangalore- 560065
Distillery is one of the major agro based industries in India. There are 285 distilleries
with the annual production capacity of 40 billion litres of spentwash. Spentwash is dark
brown in colour, with unpleasant odor, and contained high salts, dissolved and suspended
solids, organic load in terms of BOD and COD. In recent years spentwash is being used as a
source of nutrients in many crops hence it is essential to know its effect on soil properties.

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Abstracts

With this in view, a field experiment was carried out in the farmer's field during 2005-06 at
T HosahaUy near Kunigal in well-established M-5 mulberry garden. Primary treated distillery
spentwash from J P Distilleries Private Limited was applied based on nitrogen requirement
of mulberry crop. Totally three crops were harvested during the course of experimentation.
To know the effect of distillery spentwash on soil properties, soil samples were collected
after each harvest and subjected to analysis by adopting standard procedures. Application of
distillery spentwash slightly increased the soil pH and EC and there was significant increase
in the soil organic carbon, available nitrogen, potassium, and sulphur content of soil. Among
lJ,.e micronutrients, DTPA-Fe, Mn and Cu content was significantly increased due to application
ofDSW, except the DTPA-Zn content of soil. Enzymes activity (urease, dehydrogenase and
phosphatase) of soil was significantly increased due to spentwash application.
JNM/P-34

YIELD AND QUALITY OF MULBERRY AS INFLUENCED BY

THE APPLICATION OF DISTILLERY SPENTWASH
Madhusudhana.G, Bhaskar, SI, Narayanaswamy, K.C2 and Srinivasamurthy, C.A
Dept. of Soil Science, 'Dept. of Agronomy, 2Dept. of Scriculture
University of Agricultural Sciences, GKVK, Bangalore- 560065
Environmental pollution is one of the undesirable side effects of industrilization. Majority
of the are agro based industries utilize large quantities of good quality water and discharge
the entire quantity of water as effulent. Distillery is one such industry, which generates large
quantities of waste water with dark brown colour, unpleasant odor, high salt and organic load
known as distillery spentwash. Unlike other effluents, spentwash do not contain any hcavy
metals but contained many essential plant nutrients, which help to increase the yield and
quality of many crops like cereals, pulses oilseeds etc. The research work related to its use in
mulberry is very much limited hence field experiment was carried out in the farmer's field
during 2005-06 at T Hosahally near Kunigal in well established M -5 mulberry garden. Primary
treated distillery spentwash from J P Distilleries Private Limited, Heggadahalli, was applied
based on nitrogen requirement of mulberry crop. The treatments included were recommended
practice with CAN, 100% and 150% N through distillery spentwash in six irrigations and
same with 40% CAN as basal application and remaining 60% through distillery spentwash in
five irrigations. The results from the present study revealed that higher leaf yield was obtained
in 150% N with combined application of CAN followed by 100% N with combined application
of CAN when compared to recommended practice and application of distillery spentwash
alone at 100% and 150%. The quality parameters of mulberry like Relative water content,
crude protein and total sugars were not adversely affected due to spentwash application.

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1NM/P-35
SILKWORM PRODUCTIVITY (pURE MYSORE) AS INFLUENCED BY
THE APPLICATION OF DISTILLERY SPENTWASH

Madhusudbana. G, Bhaskar, S, Narayanaswamy, K.C2 and Srinivasamurtby, C.A

Dept of Soil Science, lDept. of Agronomy, 2Dept. of Sericulture
University of Agricultural Sciences, GKVK, Bangalore- 560065
The silkworm growth and development mainly depends on the nutritive value of mulberry
leaves therefore apart from mulberry yield quality plays an important role in successful cocoon
production. Distillery is one of the agro based industries, which generates large quantities of
waste water with dark brown colour, unpleasant odor, high salt and organic load known as
distillery spentwash. Unlike other effluents spentwash do not contain any heavy metals and
contained many essential plant nutrients, which increase the yield and quality of many crops
like cereals, pulses. The research work related to its use in mulberry and its impact on silkworms
is very much limited hence field experiment was carried out in the farmer's field during
2005-06 at T Hosahally near Kunigal in well established M-5 mulberry garden. Primary
treated distillery spentwash from J P Distilleries Private Limited, Heggadahalli, was applied
based on nitrogen requirement of mulberry crop. Totally three crops were harvested during
the course of experimentation. To know the effect of distillery spentwash on si lkworm
productivity silkworms were reared during the third crop. Fifth instar worms of Pure Mysore
breed were selected from the farmer and fed with leaves obtained from different treatments.
Results of the study revealed that economic parameters of silkworm were not affected except
those of larval duration and shell weight indicating distillery spentwash as a good substitute
for chemical fertilizer.
INM/P-36
INFLUENCE OF DIFFERENT LEVELS OF N AND K WITH ZN ON GROWTH
PARAMETERS OF V-l MULBERRY VARIETY AND COCOON YIELD

Sreerama, N., Narayanaswamy, T.K, Anitba Peter., Sbasbidhar, K.R and

Sbankar, M.A I
Dept. of Sericulture, University of Agricultural Sciences, GKVK, Bangalore-560 065
lDry Land Agricultural Project, GKVK, Banglaore-560 065
Study was conducted to know the impact of nitrogen, potassium and zinc on growth and
yield parameters of V-l mulberry. The treatments included four levels of nitrogen (0, 200,
300 and 400 kg/ha/yr) and three levels of potassium (0, 120, 180 kg/ha/yr) with a zinc @ 25
kg/ha/yr. The results revealed that application of nitrogen, potassium and zinc @ 400: 180:25,
recorded significantly higher growth and yield of mulberry, viz., shoots per plant (11.68),
leaves per plant (226.26), leaf yield per plant (374.66 g) and leaf yield per hectare (4625.25
kg). The results showed the importance of zinc application in mulberry cultivation to improve
the growth and yield in addition to major nutrients. Application of nitrogen and potassium at
higher levels (N400 K 180) with Zn had a positive effect on larval weight, larval duration and
moulting duration. Cocoons spun by silkworms fed with mulberry leaf fertilized with N400
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Abstracts

K I80 Z2S showed better cocoon weight (1.90 g) and shell weight (0.30g) and the effective
rearing rate (93.99).
INMIP-37
TUKRA MEALY BUG (MACONELLICOCCUS HIRSUTUS GREEN) OF
MULBERRY (MORUS ALBA L.) - TACKLING THROUGH ECO - FRIENDLY
STRATEGIES FOR SUSTAINABLE SEIUCULTURE

Narendra Kumar, J.B., Veeraiah, T.M and Jayaraj, SI

Regional Sericultural Research Station, Kodathi, Bangalore-560 035
I S.Jayaraj Research Foundation, Chennai-600 042
Maconellicoccus hirsutus Green (Homoptera: Pseudococcidae), popularly known as
Tukra mealy bug of mulberry is a "hard to kill pest", which affects mulberry leaf both
qualitatively and quantitatively. A field study was conducted in Bangalore Urban District to
know the seasonal incidence, varietal preference and control using locally available botanicals
and through altering certain agronomical practices such as schedule of irrigation and
nitrogenous fertilizer. The results revealed that the pest occurred throughout the year with a
maximum incidence of 18.79% during April and a minimum of2 .56% during December. The
highest incidence was recorded on S-36 mulberry variety (24.S6% ) followed by V- I (1 8.32%),
RFS-17S (13.44%), M-S (4.17%) and Local (2.38%). Among the botanicals tested, 5% neem
seed kernel extract proved better in suppressing the pest population . An IPM package
comprising of spray of 5% neem seed kernel extract on 10th and 20th day after pruning,
release of predatory lady bird beetle, Cryptolaemus montrouzieri @ 250 adult beetles/acre in
two splits (one each during Oct-Nov & Jan-Feb, ISth day after pruning), top clipping of
affected portion on 45th day after pruning suppressed the pest population to an extent of
66.67%. In addition, it was also found that tukra incidence was more when nitrogenous fertilizer
was applied as a single dose and irrigated either once in 6 days or 8 days than applying N
fertilizer as two split doses and providing irrigation either once in 6 days or 8 days.
INMIP-38
IMPACT OF INM-lPM PACKAGE ON PEST AND WEED MANAGEMENT AND
MULBERRY LEAF YIELD IN UDUMALPET AREA,
COIMBATORE DISTRICT

SeJvaraj, N. GI Anilkumar, T. R 2., Punithavathy, GI., Qadri, S.M.H J., and Jayaraj, S 4
iResearch Extension Centre, Udumalpet, Coimbatore District
2Research Extension Centre, SamayanaJlur, Madurai District
3 Regional Sericultural Research Station, Salem
Sustainable Farm & Rural Development Centre, S. J. R. Foundation, Chennai
With the aim of increasing the mulberry yield, inputs mainly in the form of chemical
fertilizers are applied excessively for every crop, which affects the soil health, fertility and
microbial activity. Use of chemicals to control pests and diseases has resulted in deterioration
of environment. Keeping this in view, the following eco-friendly farming methods were
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National Seminar on Soil Health and Water Management lor Sustainable Sericullllre

implemented under INMIIPM in Udumalpet area in Coimbatore district, Tamil Nadu in ten
farmers' fields.
According to recent studies green manure cover crops can promote mulberry growth,
increase leaf yield and prevent soil erosion and also inhibit weed population. Field experiments
were conducted in mulberry gardens of 13 farmers. The INM-IPM plot was sown with 10 kg
of daincha seeds/acre treated with 200 g Rhizobium and the cover crop was raised twice a
year. The data showed that there was an increase in mulberry leaf production to 8.1 MT/ha/
yr, which in turn increased the brushing capacity. The weed populations were also reduced to
an extent of 19% compared to control plot (6%).
A study on the development of IPM package against the major pe_sts of mulberry was
also carried out in the farmer's fields. It included planting intercrop, application of neem oil
at 1.5, 2.0 and 3.0% with 0.5% khadi soap solution thrice in 10 days interval after pruning
and release ofbio-control agents. A reduction in the damage caused by tukra mealy bug from
4.47% to 1.4% on shoot basis and number of thrips per three leaves from 2.37 to 0.68 . The
leaf webber population per plant was reduced from 2.37 to 0.68. Increase in the population
of nature enemies such as ladybird and spider predators was also observed.
INM/P-39
EFFECT OF DIFFERENT NEEM FORMULATIONS AGAINST WASP MOTH
CATERPILLAR, AMATA PASSALIS
Jaiswal, K., Gangwar, S.K., Kumar, Rand Goel, R.
Department of Applied Animal Sciences
B.B.A. University, Lucknow-226 025
Application of different neem formulations, viz ., EC, dust and WDP was made in 1,2,3
& 4% concentration on mulberry leaves and the dried leaves were fed to the larvae of Amata
passalis after 1, 24 and 48 hours after spray. Neem formulations significantly altered the
feeding, larval duration and caused the larval mortality of the pest. EC formulation at all
concentrations was found to be most effective after 1 and 24 hours of spray and its subsequent
feeding by the pest.
INM/P-40
INTEGRATED PEST MANAGEMENT IN TWO ERI SILKWORM
HOST PLANTS IN SOUTH INDIA
Amutbamurugan, D., Subramanian, K., Mabeshkumar, T., Diraviam, J., Sakthivel, NI.,
Jayaraj, S. and Qadri, S. M. HI
Sustainable Farm & Rural Development Centre, S.J.R. Foundation, Chennai
'Regional Sericultural Research Station, Salem
Castor and tapioca are the most preferred bost plants for Eri silkworm. While tapioca is
affected only by minor pests like the spiraling whitefly, scale insect and red spider mite,
castor is attacked by many major pests such as jassids, whiteflies, spider mites, semilooper,
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Abs tracts

tobacco caterpillar, Bihar hairy caterpillar, tussock moth caterpillar, capsule borer, etc. Castor
is raised in many parts ofS . India as border and inter-crop in rain-fed groundnut, redgram and
sorghum on a large scale, where it escaped from the ravages of pests considerably. It is also
raised as a pure crop in rain-fed and irrigated eco-systems, and almost all major pests heavily
infested the pure crop. Crop diversity with mUltiple odours in a poly-cropping ecosystem was
un-favourable to many pests. Again, the natural enemies, especially the braconid parasitoids
and ladybird and spider predators, were abundant on castor in poly-crop ecosystems.
The triple bloom and green stem GCH-4 hybrid castor with high oil and protein contents
was damaged mostly by semi-looper and cutworms, which were almost negligible in the Red
Non-bloom Erode Local castor variety. However, the latter was severely affected by jassids,
resulting in severe hopper bum of grade In in the scale I - IV. The eri silkworms did not ingest
the hopper-burnt leaves. Though the hybrid castor was attacked mostly by semi looper and
cutworms, the natural parasitoids, Microplitis ophiusae and an unidentified braconid species,
were very abundant on the two pests, respectively, on the hybrids. The early incidence of
parasitoids was noticed in double and triple bloom castor varieties and hybrids, and the
parasitoid cocoons were colIected and introduced in other castor fields . The egg parasitoid,
Trichogramma chi/onis was released during the vegetative and reproductive stages of the
crop to control the semilooper, capsule borer and other caterpillar pests. There was a widespread
natural infection of castor whiteflies Trialeurodes ricini by an unidentified entomo-pathogenic
fungu s. It completely destroyed the pest population.
The brown mite, Eutetranychus citri was observed on the upper surface of medi um
matured and fully matured leaves on Green No Bloom Castor variety in Puzhuthivakkam,
Kanchipuram district. The damage reduced the plant growth and the affected plants remain
stunted. The leaf biomass production and quality as food for eri silkwonn were afTected .
Heavy brown mite infestation was recorded in one location, where there was no infestation
of jassids as the brown mite had occupied the whole niche. Spider population ranged from
1.5 to 2.0 in all the locations . The brown mite-infested leaves dried up quickly compared to
that of normal moisture loss. More than 10% moisturc loss was increased by mite infestation
and it was also statistically significant.
In the case of tapioca, the spiraling whitefly, Aleurodicus dispersus was found covering
the entire under surface ofleaves in parts ofPondicherry and Villupuram areas. Neem oil3%
was used to control the pests and the leaves were used 10 days after the spray for feeding eri
silkworms. Farmers who could not take up control measures used the leaves as such with
immature whitefly population and there was normal feeding by the Eri silkworms. In
Oadampalayam, severe infestation of the spiraling whitefly, A. dispersus was observed in 9month old tapioca crop.
For successful Eri culture the steady supply of castor or tapioca leaves without any
pesticide contamination will be essential. IPM has to be implemented effectively with emphasis
on pest avoidance through enhancing the biodiversity of host plants, insect pests and their
natural enemies. Results of the studies on biological control agents, botanical pesticides and
host plant varietal resistance to insect pests and diseases are discussed.
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011

Soil Healtll and WaleI' Management for Sustainable Sericulture

INM/P-41
MANAGEMENT OF SOIL HEALTH AND PESTS OF A CBAWKI GARDEN FOR
REARING TASAR SILKWORM

Diksbit, B.K., Maurya, K.RI and Kbana,R.P 2

Regional Sericultural Research Station, Koraput -764 020
Basic Seed Multiplication & Training Centre, BTSSO, Baripada - 757 001
2 Basic Tasar Silkworm Seed Organisation, Bilaspur - 495 001

Tropical Tasar silkworm Antheraea my/itta Drury, is polyphagous but prefers Arjun
(Terminalia arjuna) and Asan (Terminalia tomentosa) leaves. TheArjun and Asan cultivation
is mostly done in rainfed conditions with dry fanning techniques . For a BSM and TC
maintenance of chawki garden is highly essential for quality leaves (succulent & nutritious
with more moisture & less fibre) . As such, a chawki garden was developed at Rangamatia
farm of BSM&TC Baripada in Mayurbhanj district of Orissa where the climate is subtropical with normal annual rainfall of 1648.2 nun. The soil is clay loam type and the pLantation
has a spacing of8 x 8 ft. For a chawki garden 2100 Arjun plants were selected in a compact
patch, bunding of area on contour lines was done to check run off water and to ensure its
standing in field for longer duration, the area was divided into 10 portions, plants were
pollarded at 3 ft height followed by digging and loosening of soil and making of 6-9" deep
circular trenches around the base of plants, sprayed 0.09% of dimethoate on leaves to check
gall infestation, checked stem borer attack with 0.05% monochrotophos and managed
defoliating & wasp incidence by manual collection and destruction, applied farm yard manure
@ 2 kg/plant/yr to improve moisture retention capacity and chemical fertilizers ofN, P&K
@150:50:50 kg/ha/yr (Nitrogen in 2 equal split doses) for boosting productivity and after
each chawki rearing branches were pruned at 8-10 inches to develop a crown of branches.
The above management practices have registered qualitative and quantitative improvement
in leaf (25 %) & cocoon (8%) yield over control.
INMIP-42
ON SUITABILITY OF FODDER GRASSES AND FODDER LEGUMES FOR
SUSTAINABLE SERICULTURAL FARMING SYSTEM

Rajadurai, S., Ramamobana Rao, PI, Veeraiab, T.M2 and Jayaraj, S3

Research Extension Centre, Madivala, Kolar District
'Central Sericultural Research & Training Institute, Mysore
2Regional Sericultural Research Station, Kodathi, Bangalore-560 035
3SJayaraj Research Foundation, Chennai
Integrated farming system approach introduces a change in the farming techniques for
maximum production in the cropping pattern. The fodder legumes are naturally fixing the
atmospheric nitrogen into the soil which is utilized by nonlegumes like mulberry and other
crops. In the present study, intercropping of fodder grasses and legumes was undertaken for
their suitability for their sustainable sericulture practices in Kolar district.
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Abstracts

Field study revealed that maximum biomass production was observed in fodder grasses
ofNB21 (14.72 MT/ac) with 90% palatability, followed by fodder sorghum (11.69 MT/ac)
with 89.6% palatability, Rhodes grass (10.2 MT/ac) with 92% palatability, fodder maize
(10.17 MT/ac) with 85 .8% palatability and NBI (10.07 MT/ac) with 87.35% palatability.
Intercropping with fodder legumes in mulberry crop exhibited that maximum biomass
production was observed in cowpea (9.47 MT/ac) with 90.2% palatability, followed by
horse gram (3.99 MT/ac) with 85.1 % palatability and lucerne (3.7 MT/ac) with 88 .3%
palatability.
Improvement in soil fertility in terms of nitrogen content and number of nodules per
plant due to intercropping of fodder legumes was recorded. Three fold increase in N content
was occurred with cowpea (18.17 kg/ha) than horsegram (12.4 kg/ha) and lucerne (9 .16 kg/
ha). The number of nodules was found more in cowpea (31 Iplant) than horsegram (23/plant)
and lucerne (20/plant).

INMIP-43
INTEGRATED FARMING SYSTEM MANAGEMENT IN SERICULTURE FOR
ADDITIONAL INCOME
Hemantbkumar, L., Ravikumar, J., Vijayakumar, R., Mutbulakshmi, M.,
Samutbiravelu, P., Jayaraj, S. I and Qadri, S.M.H 2
Research Extension Centre, Krishnagiri
I Sustainable Farm & Rural Development Centre, SJRF, Chennai
2Regional Sericultural Research Station, Salem
With a view to sustain the livelihood of sericulture farmers in the event of any crop loss
in sericulture, integrated farming system with different components were integrated with 24
fanners in 3 villages. Studies conducted on were I.Fodder grasses/trees. 2. Horticulture plants
3. Livestock production 4. Poultry 5. Greenleafy vegetables. Bench mark survey details and
data on fodder yield, dung production, palatability, litter production, Bird!Animal value were
worked out besides returns from horticulture plants and greens like palak, Amaranthus and
Methi (Fenugreek). Studies show improvement in milk yield by feeding Co-l and Co-2 fodder
grasses and fodder deficit was minimized by growing fodder trees for animals. Thus generated
additional and stable income round the year.

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National Seminar on Soil Health and Water Management for Sustainable Sericulture

INMIP-44
REARING PERFORMANCE OF ERI SILKWORM (PHILOSAMIA RICIN] HUTT.)
IN BLACK SOILS OF VIDARBHA - A NEWLY EXPLORED AREA IN
MAHARASHTRA.

Jadhav, A.D., Kalantri, L.B., Rajare l , T.N., Un dale, J.P. and Sathel,T.V
Directorate of Sericulture, MS, Nagpur-440009, iSenior Scientist, NBSS&LUP, Nagpur
Dept.of Zoology, Shivaji University, Kolhapur-04
India is blessed with variety of geological formations, diversified climate, vegetation
and topography that resulted in the formation of different group of soils. This is also true for
sericulture, which are adopted on different soils supporting different vegetation (for rearing
of silkworms) in varied climatic environment. Visualising the pedoedaphic factors of
Maharashtra and in particular Vidarbha, ericulture has great potential. The eri-silkworm can
be reared on variety of plants. The castor crop (Ricinus communis) is well known as oilseed
crop but its potentiality for rearing eri silkwonn is not tapped properly in this region. It has
further significance being very hardy, resistant to drought and insect pest and very much
suited as rain fed crop while many crops fail due to erratic rainfall/intennittent dry spells.
The same problem was faced by mostly small and marginal cotton growers. Therefore the
experiment was conducted to study the performance of eri silkworm (Philosamia ricini Hutt.)
on farmers field.
The initial trials of Ericulture with two verities (Westem-4 and 6) of castor in Nagpur
district of Vidarbha a coomonly grown castor variety in the region. The results are encouraging
and proven successful even under the high temperature (38 1C) and low humidity (40
2%) conditions persists during the growth period. Average yield of 48 .6 kg 1100 dfls was
observed with rearing duration of21 .5 days. It is observed that the yield attributing parameters
like ERR by number, weight and shell ratio were also noticed better. Single cocoon weight
and shell weight being 3.08 g and 0.479 g respectively. The results, shows that ericulture in
Vidarbha region of Maharashtra especially in Nagpur district has a better scope and could
be projected for further expansion in the Wardha & Yawatmal districts of Vidarbha.

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Ahstruct.v

LATE ABSTRACTS
FIELD RESPONSE OF SERI-VAM IN MULBERRY GARDENS
S.D.Padma, J.Sukumar, T.O.Nagendra Kumar and K.V.Prasad
Kamataka State Sericulture & Development Institute
Thalaghattapura, Bangalore-560 062
Vesicular arbuscular mycorrhiza fungi (VAMF) are gaining importance in agriculture
for the improvement of soil fertility and ' P' use efficiency of added phosphatic fertilizers.
Extensive studies were conducted on the beneficial effect of this fungus on mUlberry. The
fungal formulation has been released as a technology and product in the name 'Seri VAM'
for field application to improve leaf yield and quality. Seri-VAM has an efficient isolate of
Glomus mosseae (MPM-VAM 1). field trials were conducted in sericulturists gardens at
Sugatta village (Chikkajala TSC). Doddatumkur (DoddabaUapur TSC). Jattipalya (Ilarohal}i
TSC), Sondekoppa (Yelahanka TSC) and Govt. silk fann-Kumbarahalli . Nutrient status of
soil and % VAM colonization was determined before and after the application ofSeri-VAM.
A simple method for secondary level multiplication of the fungus using ragi plants and its
application in the field was demonstrated. The application was monitored with periodical
visits to the farmers field. Data on growth, yield and soil parameters were recorded . Increase
in P uptake, leaf and cocoon yield was observed in the gardens treated with 'Scri- VAM' .

PERFORMANCE OF DRIPFERTIGATION
ON MULBERRY LEAF YIELD AND QUALITY
S.N.Narayan Gowda, N.Siddalingaswamy and R.M.Shivaprakash
Kamataka State Sericulture & Development Institute
Thalaghattapura, Bangalorc-560 062
A field experiment was conducted with furrow drip and chapin tape methods of irrigation
at three nitrogen levels (50%, 75% & 100% of recommended dose ofN fertilizer) in 2 plant
spacings (60 x 60 cm & 120 x 60 cm) ofM5 mulberry variety during the year 2001-02. Four
harvests were made and bio-assay was conducted for three harvest. Pooled data of four
harvests recorded highest leaf yield in 60 x 60 cm spacing + drip irrigation + 100% N
fertigation (3595 kg/ha). The leaf yield obtained in 50% & 75% N fertigation in drip irrigated
plots at 60 x 60cm spacing recorded more or equal to the leaf yield obtained in 75% & 100%
N fertilizer applied to the furrow method. The study revealed that the saving of 25% N
fertilizer associated with yield and quality improvement in drip method compared to furrow
method.

133

National Seminar on Soil Health and Water Management for Sustainable Sericiliture

ORGANIC AMENDMENTS AND VEGETABLE CROP YIELDS

K. P. V. Shetty , B. B. Madalageri and P. D. Visbwanatha

Indo-American Hybrid Seeds (India) Pvt. Ltd.,
Bangalore-560061
The studies were conducted on influence of different organic amendments on yield of
bean and bbendi during Rabi 1999 and arnaranthus and onion during Rabi 2002 at the lndoAmerican Hybrids Seeds, Rand D fann Gopalnagar, where plot on organic amendments are
maintained for last 10 years.
AmQng different organic amendments, the highest average yield ,of beans (123 g /pl)
was recorded in poultry manure @ 2 ton per acre followed by vennicompost @ 2 ton per
acre(118 g Ipl) and FYM @ 10 ton per acre(117 g/pl). In bhendi, the highest yicJd( 160 g/pl)
was noticed in FYM @ 10 ton per acre followed by vermicompost @ 2 ton per acre (134 g/pJ)
during Rabi 1999
During Rabi 2002, the maximum onion bulb yield(4.63 t/ac) was recorded in poultry
manure @ 2 ton per acre followed by neem cake @ 2 ton per acre( 4.04 t/ac) and FYM @ 10
ton per acre(3.83 tlac) against control (RDF)(3.34 tlac).
The same trend was observed in amaranthus where in the maximum seed yicld (436 kgl
ac) was recorded in organic amendment poultry manure@ 2 ton per acre followed by control
(RDF)(304 kg/ac) and neem cake @2 ton per acre(232 kg/ac) .
Based on results, it can be said that poultry manure is the best amendment to obtain
higher yield of vegetable crops.

134

Ab.,{ra c{s

AUTHOR INDEX
Amarnatha , N

Fatima, S

31, 32 , 43, 63 ,
105

119

Amuthamurugan , 0

128

Gajanana , G.N.

39

Anand, B.V.v

64

Gangwar, S.K

30, 128

Anantha Raman, K. V

59 , 113

Gayathri

100

Andan i Gowda

20,89 , 93,115

Geetha Oevi,T

105

Angadi, B.S

41

Geetishree Saikia

65

Anil Kumar,TR

17, 27 , 94,107 , 109,127

Ghosh, A

91

Arunkumar

39

Ghosh , J. K

91

Anitha Peter

126

Goel, R

128

Ashoka , J

95,97,120

Gopinath , S. M

95

Baksh , S

97

Govindaiah , M. C

100

Banerjee, N.O

58

Govindan , R

33

Baqual , M. F

89

Guha , A

Bhagyaraj, O.J

31 , 39

17 , 24,25 , 34 ,
109

Bhargava,S . K

29

Gunasekhar,V

20

Bhaskar. R.N

20 , 33 , 43,95,96 , 120

Gururaj , R

60

Bhaskar, S

105, 124,125, 126

Hadimani ,O.K

20.96.

Bhogesha , K

45 , 57, 90 ,92, 121

Hajare, T N

86 , 117, 132

Brahma, K.C

31 , 62,111

Harihara Raju , A

Chakrabarti , S

21,35 , 40,62

34 , 60 , 101 , 104,
106,112

Hemanth Kumar, L

17 , 59, 93 , 102 ,
107, 114 , 116 .
117 , 131

Chandrasekhara Reddy, 0 60
Chandrashekar, S

20, 33

Chatterjee , S

91

Hunse, TM

44

Chikkaswamy, B.K

95, 118

Ishwar

29

Chinnaswamy, K.P

20, 31, 32, 39 , 63, 105

Jadhav, A.D

86 , 138

Chowdary, N.B

57 , 59

Jagadeesh, N

111

Christiana, S.T

39,41

Jagadish. N

31, 63 , 105

Damodara Naidu , W

64

Jaishankar

34 , 88,106 ,1 13

Dandin .S.B

1, 15, 17,20, 24, 25, 26,

28, 45 , 61 , 92 , 102, 106 ,
109

Jaiswal , K

30, 12'8

James Pitchai , G

Darzi, G.M

97

Jayappa, T

Das , P.K

22 ,45, 57,89 , 90 , 123

26
29, 42 , 64 , 110 ,
111

Dash,B.O

112

Dayanada

111

Deepa , P

57

Dhahira Beevi, N

17, 24 , 25

Dikshit B.K

30,36 , 130

Jayaraj, S

1, 15, 17 , 23-27 ,
34 , 59,60 , 67,88 ,
93 , 94 , 99, 102 ,
104 , 106, 107 ,
109, 112, 113.
114 , 116 ,117 ,
123 , 127, 128 ,
130, 131

Diraviam , J

128

Ooddanarasaiah

29

Jayaram, H

92 , 121

Outta , R.N

33 , 42 , 64,110,114

Jaya ram a Raju , P

111

135

National Seminar on Soil Health and Water Management for Sustainable Sericulture

19

Narayana Reddy, R

89,93,115

Juyal, A.C

62

Narayanaswamy, K.C

105,124, 125,126

Kalantri, L.B

86,138

Narayanaswamy, T.K

90,96,119,120,126

Kaliimani, C.S

94

Narendra Kumar,J .B

101,127

Kamal Jaiswal

21

Natarajan, A

14

Kamble, C.K

29, 33 , 42,110,111

Paramanik, R.C

95

Kannaiyan, N

109

Pasha, S.N

32

Kariappa, B.K

99 , 100

Philomena, K.L

29,33,64

Kasi Reddy, B

116

Prabhakar, C.J

110

Katiyar, R.S

90,92,123

Prakash , H. R

91

Khan , M.A

21 , 97

Pratap Narayan

21

Khana, R.P

130

Pratheesh Kumar, P.M

29

'Kishore , S

28

Punithavathy, G

27,127

Jhansl Lakshmi, K

Kodandaramaiah, J

19

Purohit, K.M

30, 111

Krishna Naik, L

89

Qadri, S.M.H

Krishna Rao , J. V

1, 15, 17, 23, 28, 60,

102,112,115,116,123

1,15, 17, 24,25 , 26,

27 , 34, 58, 59 , 93,
94 , 102, 107, 109,
114,117,127,128

Raghunatha ,G

103

Rajadurai , S

17 ,34,1 01 , 104 ,
106,130

Rajarajan , K

44

Kumar, R

30, 128

Lakshminarayana ,B

23 , 112

Lavanyalatha,K

23 , 60 , 112

Madhusudhana.G

124,125,126

Magadum ,S. B

20 ,60

Maheshkumar,T

128

Mahima Shanthi

26 , 109

Mahobia ,G.P

42, 98

Mala V. Rajan

19, 122

Malakonda Reddy, B

64 , 86 , 87

Mani , S

26

Manjula, A

110

Manjunath Gowda

Rajanna , K.L

110

Rajat Mohan

21,62

Rajavel, D. S

109

Raje Gowda

96 , 117

Rajeswara Rao, N

23 , 123

Rama Kant

40

Ramakrishna Naika

43 , 89,93,115

Ramamohana Rao,P

104,130

95

Ramanjaneyulu,Y.V

29

Mary Flora, C. A

17,34

Ramashesa

37

Masilamani, S

17,24,25,59,109

Ramesh , M

14

Maurya, K.R

130

Md . Najeeb, K

44

More, N.K.S

43

Rashmi, K

31 , 63,105

Munirathnam Reddy, M

59, 106, 123

Ravi Kumar, A

96, 120

Ravikumar, J

17, 59, 102, 107 ,

114,116,117,131

Ravindranath Reddy

94

Murali, C

90, 119

Murtuza Khan

33,43, 96,120

Rao, D.M.R

115

Rao , K.V.S

30, 62

Muthulakshmi, M

17, 102, 114, 131

Nagaraj, B

121

Reddy, D.C

115,116

Nagaveni,V

100

Reddy, M.P

115

Nandi, S

90

Sabitha, M.G

19

Narasimha Murthy, B

102

136

Abs /rQc /s

Sahu, R

62

Sudhakar, P

59 , 63,91

Sakthivel, N

128

SUdhakara, S. N

95 , 97 , 120

Samuthiravelu, P

17,58,93,102, 114, 131

Sujathamma , P

57

Saralakumari

93, 115

Sukanta Saha

123

Saratchandra, B

58

Sundareswaran , P

20

Sarkar, A

30 , 62, 91

Suryanarana , N

98

Sathe, T.V

132

Thayalam, S

14

Sathyaprasad , K

99, 100

Thippeswamy, T

22, 86

Savitha , B.G

20, 33

Thirunavukkarasu ,T

17,34

Saxena, N.N

31,42 , 62,111

Tomer, S.S

21 , 35

Seenapaa, K

39
17,27,127

Undale, J.P

86 , 132

Selvaraj, N. G

Urs , M.K.P

92

Sengupta. T

58

Vadivelu , S

14

Setua , G.C

Vedavyasa ,K

57,86,87,106

Shankar Rao, K.v

58
42, 98

Veeraiah, T.M

Shankar, M.A

90 , 96,117 , 119, 126

Shanthala , R

88 , 113

1, 15, 17, 34 , 39 , 41 ,
56, 59 , 60 , 63 , 88 ,
101,104, 106 , 111 ,
113, 127 , 130

Sharad Pai

60

Sharma , V.L .N

64

Shashidhar, K.R

20,33 , 126

Shekhar, M.A

99, 100

Sherief, Y. H

17,26,94, 107,109

Shiv Nath

91

Shivakumar, H.R

87 , 124

Shivashankar, M

95

Shivashankar, N.S

113

Shivashankar, K

41,87 , 91 , 103,105, 124

Shubha, K

96, 120

Shyam Sundar, P

26

Sindagi , S.S

29

Singh, P.K

21,35

Somshekar, H

43

Sreekantaiah, M.

90

Sreerama, N

33, 126

Sreeramulu , K.R

90, 119

Srikantaswamy, K

121, 122

SrinivaSa Rao , T.V.S

17,23,60,112,116,123

Srinivasamurthy, C.A

124-126

Srinivasulu Reddy, P

28

Subbaswamy, M. R

22,86,87,106

Subrahmanyam, M. R

39,56,59,60,63

Subramanian, K

17, 128

Venkata Rao, B.V

103

Venkata Reddy, V

57

Venkataramana, P

102

Venkatesh, G.K.O

58

Venkatesh Kumar R

43

Venugopal. A

112

Vijaya Naidu , B

115

Vijaya prakash

122

Vijayakrishna ,N

105

Vijayakumar, R

59 , 102 , 107 , 114 ,

116, 117 , 131

Vinod Kumar

99. 100

137

.. r

National Seminar on Soil Heallh and Water Manogementfor Susi2imdOie Sl!ricullure

COMMITTEES FOR NATIONAL SEMINAR

EDITORIAL COMMmEE:

pt- 11: ,7 8

1.

2.
3.
4.
5.

Dr. T. M. Veeraiah, J.D

Mr. Jaishankar, D.D
Mr. P. Jayarama Raju, SRO
Mr. N. Jagadeesh, SRO
Mr. lB.Narendra Kumar, SRO

ACCOMODATION & TRANSPORTATION COMMITTEE:

1. Dr.K.V.Anantha Raman, SRO.
2. Mr. N. Jagadeesh, SRO
3. Mr. Devaraj, TA
4. Mr. Ashoka, TA
5. Mr.N.Subbaraju, TA
6. Mr. Niranjanamurthy, TA

b~~, J-a1o
c..S~

CATERING COMMITTEE :

1.
2.

3.
4.
5.
6.

Mr. P. Jayarama Raju, SRO

Mr. Srinivas, SRO
Mr. G. Papaiah, TA
COMr. Basava Setty, TA
"":'
"'\~.. ~ \
Mr. K.NJagannath Reddy, T~
.:::i( BAN'lALmff ) ", '
Mr. B.S. Suresh, UDC
J. . i !JJJ..n.LL '
;; ':I

",,,\~m~
.

'rr--'.,/"

'.. \

REGISTRATION COMMITTEE :
Ms. R.Shanthala, SRO
2. t-!s. S.Nagarathna, TA
3. Ms. K.N .Shylaja, TA
4. Ms. B.Rajeshwari, TA
5. Ms. B.S.Sujatha, Asst.

1.

TECHNICAL COMMmEE:

1. Mr. Jaishankar, DD
Mr. N. Shivashankar, SRO
Mr. B. Gangadhar, SRO
Dr. Rajadurai, SRO
Dr. S.T. Christiana, SRO

2.
3.
4.
5.
PRESS & PUBLICITY:

1.

Mr. 1 Sampath, JD (Publicity)

2. Mr. M.N. Ramesh, AD (Publicity)

3. Mr. Mukund V Kirsur, SRO (Publicity)
4. Mr. N. Mahadev, UDC, (Publicity)

138

<1

""DO
.~J' ....__,-""~"'b
-K. G~\I\~ ..'

STAGE/AUDITORIUM ARRANGEMENTS:
1. Mr. Jaishankar, DD
2. Dr M R Subrahmanyam, SRO
3. Dr. P. Sudhakar, SRO
4. Mr. Veeranna, STA
5. Mr. Basavashetty, TA

-:;.;../

UAS LIBRARY GKVK

111111111 II 111111 1111111111 11111 111111111 1111

R-15478

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