APPLICATION OF GROWING DEGREE DAYS AS MODEL DRIVER IN SERICULTURE MANAGEMENT

摘要

The success of sericulture industry depends upon effective silkworm crop scheduling taking advantage of congenial agro-climate favoring instar-specific mulberry foliage growth.Temperature plays a pivotal role on growth and productivity of silkworm as well as mulberry. Growing Degree Days -the most effective temperature index allows producers to predict the plants' and insects' pace toward maturity.The temporal study on phenology of popular silkworm breeds and hybrid indicated that it required 378 - 397℃ Day to attain pre-spinning larval maturity weighing 2.681-3.248g. Mulberry var. S-1635 took 7-20 days for 85% sprouting of axillary buds with emerged leaves triggered by an accumulation of 119℃-124℃ Day. The study also revealed that average peak leaf yield/plantwas realized when the GDD accumulation crosses 1100℃ day irrespective of calendar days lapsed after pruning.The synchronization of stipulated growth based on GDD of both mulberry and silkworm larvae are expected to alleviate crop losses and lead to optimum cocoon harvest.