MUGA EEAL-TERMINALIA CHEBULA BASED BIOFORMULATION AS AN ANTI-FLACHERIE AGENT AND A SILK FIBER ENHANCER

摘要

Muga silkworms, Antheraea assamemis are reared outdoor only and hence the worms are exposed to the adverse climatic conditions, pests and predators. In silkworms, the disease which affects targe population of silkworms usually during the hot and humid summer climatic conditions, results in decrease in their silk producing capacity. Muga sericulture farmers face setback in production of good quality cocoons due to unfavorable hot humid climatic conditions and diseases which accounts for 20-70% mortality of silkworms during summer. Control measures are not feasible as muga silkworm rearing is practised outdoors and the use of chemical formulations for controlling the disease is detrimental to the silkworms' health and also not economical. Thus the use of bio-formulation " Muga heal" prepared from Terminalia chebula fruits is the only alternative.