Production parameters and yarn realization in eri silkworm Samia ricini as influenced by alternative host plants

Abstract

Nagaland is a traditional state for ericulture, mostly practiced on the primary food plant Ricinus communis L., the castor for rearing of Samia ricini Donavans. However, this host is not sufficiently available during the dry season, for continuous rearing. Hence, the eri farmers use certain alternative food plants namely Heteropanax fragrans Seem (kesseru), Manihot utilissima Phol (tapioca) and Evodia fraxinifolia Hook (payam), of which the latter two plants are abundant in Nagaland. The present study evaluated during spring, summer and rainy seasons, and assessed the suitability of alternative food plants particularly tapioca and payam along with primary food plant for cocoon production and silk yield.