Impact of Novel Insecticides in Mulberry Ecosystem and Its Residual Effect on Silkworm Growth & Productivity

Sanjay Hazarika

Department of Entomology, AAU, Jorhat, Assam, India.

Basanagouda Jekinakatti

Department of Sericulture, University of Agricultural Sciences GKVK, Bangalore 560065, India.

B Karthick Mani Bharathi *

Department of Sericulture, FCRI, TNAU, Mettupalayam, India.

Kurru Charitha

College of Agriculture, Rajmata Vijayaraje Scindia Krishi Vishwa Vidyalaya, Gwalior, M. P. 474002, India.

Shruthi G H

Department of Sericulture, University of Agricultural Sciences Bangalore, Karnataka, India.

Kama Ramya Harika

Forest College and Research Institute, Tamil Nadu Agriculture University, India.

Kishan Kumar R

Central Sericultural Research & Training Institute, Mysuru – 570008, India.

Tanvi Rahman

Central Sericultural Research & Training Institute, Mysuru – 570008, India.

*Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.


Abstract

Growing silkworms for the purpose of producing silk is a very old method that dates back thousands of years. Because they are restricted to consuming mulberry leaves, the exploited species of mulberry silkworm, scientifically known as Bombyx mori L., is used to produce silk. Nevertheless, a number of environmental elements including the existence of pests in the mulberry ecosystem which is kept under check by pesticides and they have a substantial impact on the growth and productivity of the mulberry silkworm. Insecticides have been specifically selected with appropriate dosages as a means of controlling all the pests in mulberry ecosystem. The administration of these pesticides raises concerns about possible negative impacts on the environment and non-target insects which includes the mulberry silkworm itself regardless of whether they efficiently manage pests. A balanced approach must be maintained between increasing productivity and reducing environmental effect when raising mulberry silkworms for the manufacture of silk. Insecticides are essential for controlling pests but because of their possible impacts on mulberry silkworms and the entire ecosystem, sustainable sericulture cultivation requires diligent preparation and coordinated techniques. Farmers may protect the mulberry silkworm's health and encourage sustainable silk production for future generations by carefully using appropriate insecticides and looking into alternative pest management techniques. This review addresses both the ecological and sericultural aspects of the impact of pesticides and their subsequent effects on mulberry silkworms growth and productivity.

Keywords: Insecticide, pesticides, residual effect, silkworm growth, silk productivity, silkworm health


How to Cite

Hazarika, Sanjay, Basanagouda Jekinakatti, B Karthick Mani Bharathi, Kurru Charitha, Shruthi G H, Kama Ramya Harika, Kishan Kumar R, and Tanvi Rahman. 2024. “Impact of Novel Insecticides in Mulberry Ecosystem and Its Residual Effect on Silkworm Growth & Productivity”. Journal of Experimental Agriculture International 46 (9):37-44. https://doi.org/10.9734/jeai/2024/v46i92802.