SERICULTURE IN INDIA
Production
- Silkworm larvae are fed on mulberry leaves and after the fourth molt, they climb a twig placed near them and spin their silken cocoons.
- The silk is a continuous-filament fibre consisting of fibroin protein, secreted from two salivary glands in the head 42.9-11.4 132.3-11.4 132.3s0 89.4 11.4 132.3c6.3 23.7 24.8 41.5 48.3 47.8C117.2 448 288 448 288 448s170.8 0 213.4-11.5c23.5-6.3 42-24.2 48.3-47.8 11.4-42.9 11.4-132.3 11.4-132.3s0-89.4-11.4-132.3zm-317.5 213.5V175.2l142.7 81.2-142.7 81.2z"/>
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of each larva, and a gum called sericin, which cements the two filament together.
The sericin is removed by placing the cocoons in hot water, which frees silk filaments and readies them for reeling.
The immersion of cocoons in hot water also kills the silkworm larvae.
In India, silk worms thrive on the leaves of mulberry, mahua, sal, ber, and kusum trees. India ranks third among the silk producing countries of the world.
Silk production is mainly confined to areas between 15° and 34° N latitudes.
The state of Karnataka is the largest producer of raw silk (65°/o) followed by Andhra Pradesh (17%) West Bengal (8°/o), Tamil Nadu (5°/o), and Assam (3%).