Laboratory Techniques in Sericulture

Sericulture is a unique combination of art and science for raising of silkworm for production of silk, which is the most precious and glamorous commodity in the world. Basically, silk a protein being secreted by sericigenous insects belonging to family Lepdoptera. In fact, all the Lepidopteran caterpillars secrete silk-like filaments but not as strong as one secreted by silkworms. Hence, it remained a challenge to explore secret behind the stoniness and luster of the silk, besides enhancing the production through various agronomical, genetical and biotechnological tools. In last decade, there are several changes in sericulture industry; noteworthy being the teaching and research on various facets of sericulture introduced at graduate and postgraduate levels in colleges research was confined to the institutes working under state and central governments, there was a dearth of adequate publications in the form of text books and manuals. Of late, several authors have come forward and published severals books on sericulture, which are more or less of theoretical nature or related to practical aspects of silk cultivation and related technologies. Considering the importance of biochemistry in the growth of other biological sciences, sericulture is no exception and hence appropriate biochemical methodologies and laboratory techniques will unravel the mysteries behind the process of silk production. There are a umber of books available on general and clinical biochemistry as well as laboratory techniques on the study of specialized bio-molecules like proteins, enzymes, nucleic acids etc., there applicability and suitability to sericulture remained a laborious and time-consuming process. Obviously, it was felt necessary to bring out a book, which can provide the desired and relevant methodologies and techniques in a systematic manner and at one place. It is in this context that this book “Laboratory techniques in sericulture” is presented for education and practical guidance of the students, research workers and scientific staff of Government Institutions, Colleges and universities engaged in sericulture education and research especially in the field of soil since, plant biochemistry, plant pathology, insect biochemistry and related science subjects. The book has eight chapters dealing with the techniques involved in soil analysis, soil fertility and application of fertilizers, plant pathology, foliar analysis, histology and histochemistry, biochemical analysis of silkworm biomolecules, ecological studies and biostatistics.