SERICULTURE (SYLLABUS FOR ICAR’S JRF/SRF(PGS) )

SYLLABUS FOR THE ALL INDIA COMPETITIVE EXAMINATION FOR ADMISSION TO DOCTORAL DEGREE PROGRAMMES AND THE AWARD OF

JRF/SRF (PGS)

07 SERICULTURE

 Unit 1: Mulberry Crop Production

Mulberry genetic variability and distribution–varieties–Soil suitability–Climatic requirements and constraints – Propagation methods – Planting methods – inter cropping - population geometry – growth analysis - Soil fertility – fertilizer recommendation – integrated nutrient management – organic farming - Water management – Weed management -Problem soils and management – Rain fed mulberry - Chawki garden maintenance – Training and pruning –Leaf quality-concept and assessment–preservation–Sericulture in integrated farming system– Resource management in mulberry crop production–Mechanization-machineries in sericulturePests, diseases and nematodes of mulberry and their management. 

Unit 2: Mulberry and Silkworm Breeding

Germplasm-collection-conservation-evaluation and utilization-choice of parental genotypes for selection and hybridization –inter varietal and interspecific hybridization and polycross-clonesclonal Selection-Breeding for quality-genetic relationship between mulberry and silk worm genotypes-environmental interactions. Biotic and abiotic stresses- selection of suitable host genotypes for stability and responsiveness across the environments – selection for different situations like drought and salinity-breeding for tree types-selection of genotypes-responsive to pruning - innovative breeding approaches - tissue culture/micro propagation of mulberry plantscontribution of National and International Institutes - Distinguishing characters of released varieties- production of nucleus and breeders planting materials. Silkworm - present status of silkworm breeding - establishing a silkworm breeding programme - introduction of exotic gene source. In breeding techniques-crossbreeding techniques for hybridization-different methodsmutation- convergent crossing-diallel selection-selection of good inbred combiners. Selection for single trait and multi traits-breeding for tolerance to pathogens, early maturity, high temperature, post cocoon characters–breeding for biochemical parameters and sex-limited characters–recent advances in silkworm breeding. 

Unit 3: Silkworm Biology

Position of sericigenous insects in class insecta-silkworm integument-moulting process– exoskeleton–structure and Function-Body regions-head and its appendages in silkworm-mouth Parts-Types of antenna and mouth parts in silkworm and other insects–Cephalic glands. Thorax and its appendages-modification of legs in silkworm and in other insects-type of wings and venation in Bombycidae and Saturnidae - Abdomen and its appendages - male and female genitalia in silk moths–male–female reproductive system–spermatogenesis–oogenesis– unusual types of development. Morphology and anatomy of eggs of silkworm–Diapause–physiology of diapause–biochemical changes - stages of development in diapausing and non-diapausing eggs - principles underlying breaking diapause and cold storage. Structure and function of silk glandprotein requirement in silkworm–composition of amino acids in silk gland-transaminationchemistry of fibroin, sericin and P25-biosynthesis of silk-role of food supplementation on silk yield. Structure and function of digestive system–circulatory system-respiratory system– excretory system – endocrine system - role of JH and anti JH analogues/ phytohormoens in cocoon production. 

Unit 4: Silkworm Protection

Insect pathology–history–Concepts-Silkworm diseases-pathogenicity-kinds of infectionsymptoms and pathologies associated with various diseases-classification of non-infectious and infectious diseases-poisoning due to gases-tobacco poisoning–nutritional and genetic diseases. Silkworm viruses-resistance of silkworm breeds against viral infection-role of antiviral and viral inhibitory factors- non-inclusion viruses. Miscellaneous flacherie diseases - Bacterial diseases – etiology – epizootology – bacterial toxicosis- symptoms - management of bacterial diseases. Protozoan diseases-biodiversity-symptoms–detection–monitoring and management-silkworm mycoses – types of fungal diseases –- symptoms and management - disinfection and hygiene – disinfectants – mode of action. Pests of silkworm-uzifly-external morphology, biology, symptoms and management practices– pests of grainage-non-insect pests-mite-nematoderodents’ symptoms and management practices. 

Unit 5: Silkworm Nutrition

 Insect nutrition-nutritional requirements of silkworm larva-nutritional composition of mulberry leaves-feeding physiology of silkworm. Carbohydrate requirement - carbohydrate metabolism - lipid metabolism - synthesis of fatty acid in Bombyx mori – Amino acid requirement. Transamination – silk proteins physio-chemical properties - fibroin and sericin synthesissupplementation of nutrients for high silk yield. Role of water soluble and lipid soluble vitaminsgrowth factor–role and requirement of minerals- larval excretion. Dry matter economy–intestinal flora of silkworm–Artificial diet–nutrient management through food supplementation. 

Unit 6: Non-Mulberry Sericulture

 Status of vanya silk industry in India–History–Types of non-mulberry silkworms–Distribution and eco races of non-mulberry silkworms- Maintenance of germplasm of non-mulberry silkworms – Eri silkworm-morphology and voltinism–and their host Plants-Castor for dual purpose. Tasar silkworm-food plants and cultivation practices–large scale Plantations-Terminalia arjuna and Terminaliato mentosa-Pests and diseases on food plants and their ManagementRearing of different non-mulberry Silkworms-Pests and diseases of non-mulberry silkworms– Management practices. Muga silkworm-food plants and cultivation practices–Pests and diseases on food plants and their management - Rearing technology – Economics of rearing–Marketing System-Silk reeling techniques––Recent advances in non-mulberry silk industry– Biotechnological approaches. 

Unit 7: Silk Reeling Technology

 Cocoon marketing–price fixation–sorting, mixing, drying and stifling–Cocoon cooking– principle and methods. Types of reeling machines. Comparative output of each device – advantages and disadvantages of different reeling devices. Reeling water quality. Silk throwing and weaving-processes involved in winding, doubling, twisting, rewinding for warp and weft- hank Making-Wet processing–degumming and bleaching by alkali and enzyme methods-dyeingdifferent dyes - warping and weaving - printing - block, hand screen tables Grading of silk– standards–silk exchange- by products and its uses. 

Unit 8: Silkworm Seed Cocoon and Egg Production

 Status and strategies of silkworm egg production - Morphology - Embryology – Biochemical changes in Eggs-Seed cocoon-preservation-selection-sorting-sex separation-cocoon melting. Moth emergence-sexing-pairing and depairing-egg Laying-Handling of eggs-embryological tools- diapausing and non-diapausing eggs - Acid treatment -preservation schedule - incubation/Black boxing technique- bivoltine seed production. Seed crop monitoring-agenciesseed Organization-Seed Acts-licensing procedures-pests of grainage – pebrine diagnosis and management- cocoon melting – seed acts.