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TOPIC:- MUGA SILKWORM REARING:- ALEMKUMZUK Asstt. Sericulture Officer.

             The scientific name of Muga silkworm is Antherea assama which is polyphagus in nature. It is a semi-domesticated with rearing done out door where as spinning of cocoon and seed production activities are accomplished indoor.

            The silkworm feed on the leaf of Som (Marchilus bombicina) and Soalu (Litsac polyyantha).

            They are multivotine that can be reared upto six crops i.e. 1. Jerua (winter), 2. Chathua (late winter), 3. Jathua (spring), 4. Aherua (summer), 5. Bhodia (late summer), 6. Kotia (autumn).

            For successful rearing of Muga silkworm, maintenance of garden for early age silkworm rearing and late age silkworm rearing is a must.

1. Maintenance of garden for early age rearing:-

1. The food plant is kept at the height of 5-6ft. from the ground.
2. Pruning and clipping should be done 75-80 days before late summer and autumn crops and 100-110 days before late winter and spring crops.
3. Apply 1cft cow dung in each tree after pruning and clipping.
4. Apply fertilizers of N: P: K @ 100:50:50/acre/crop after sprouting of new leaves.
5. Spray cell sucking sap-0.03% Dimicron or Rogor one month before brushing.
6. Spray 1% Indosulphur before 45 days of brushing to control defoliation and leaf rolling.

2. Maintenance of garden for late age rearing:-

1. The tree should be maintained at the height of 6ft above the ground level.
2. ½ cft of cow dung should apply with the cultural operation.
3. Apply fertilizers of N: P: K @ 50:25:25/acre/crop after sprouting of new leaves.

Rearing of early age silkworm:-

1. Erect nylon net (40x30x20) with the help of bamboo to cover the area of the food plant.
2. Rear the newly hatched worms at the room for first three days.
3. Place the worms on the trees so that they will feed themselves on the protected food plants.
4. After the third stages the worms are transfer to the late age rearing garden.
5. On the late age rearing garden, clean the dry twigs and place the worms along with the plant twigs and clipped to avoid handling.
6. The silkworms should be dusted by the mixture of Slake Lime and bleaching powder @ 97:3 before releasing to the fresh trees.
7. During spring crop nylon net should be use to guard from the attack of pest and birds.
8. Defuse stuffy condition by maintaining proper ventilation under nylon net.
9. After rain, net is to be shake to remove water fallen from the net.

Spinning of Cocoons:-

1. The matured/ripped silkworms will come down from the trees to the base of the ground in search of proper place for spinning of Cocoons.
2. Therefore, collect mangoes and Oranges semi dried twigs, bundle it and upon this collect the worms and place the ripped worms, so that the worms would make their cocoons.

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