Abstract

STUDIES ON MOISTURE RETENTION CAPACITY OF SOM AND SOALU GENOTYPES AND ITS IMPACT ON SURVIVAL OF EARLY INSTAR MUGA SILKWORM ANTHERAEA ASSAMENSIS HELFER UNDER INDOOR CONDITIONS

Kartik Neog*, P. Dutta and D. Goswami

Abstract

Moisture retention capacity (MRC) of two som genotypes (S3 and S6) and that of soalu obtained 2, 3 and 4 months after pruning was determined at an interval of 4, 8, 12 and 24 hours after harvesting during the month of August and October. The study revealed no significant difference in the mean MRC in relation to age of leaf. Mean MRC recorded highest in soalu during both the months compared to som genotypes. MRC decreased significantly in relation to hour of harvest of leaves in both the months. Survival of worms up to 2nd instar under indoor rearing condition exhibited significant positive correlation with genotypes (r= 0.607*) and recorded highest in four months old twigs of soalu followed by 2 months old twigs of som of both the genotypes in both the months.

Keywords: Moisture retention capacity (MRC), som, soalu, muga silkworm, indoor rearing.