DR SARANYA

Description

RESEARCH ARTICLE

Steps to reproduce

1. Site Selection and PreparationLocation Setup: Establish the experimental plot at a designated sericulture farm in Katturpudhur village (Pongalur Taluk, Tiruppur District, Tamil Nadu) to ensure standard regional agro-climatic conditions.Cultivation: Grow three distinct mulberry leaf varieties (V1, G4, and MR2) under uniform agronomic practices (irrigation, fertilization, and soil management).2. Leaf Harvesting and SelectionHarvesting Schedule: Harvest fresh mulberry leaves systematically during the off-season period.Maturity Sorting: Classify and separate leaves based on their specific stages of maturity (tender, medium, and mature) to maintain experimental control.Baseline Sampling: Take immediate baseline samples of the fresh leaves to analyze their initial biochemical profile (carbohydrates, proteins, vitamins, minerals, and bioactive phytochemicals).3. Implementation of Preservation TechniquesDivide the harvested leaf varieties (V1, G4, MR2) into two distinct post-harvest preservation groups:Method A (Moist Gunny Bag Method):Pack the freshly harvested leaves loosely inside clean, pre-moistened jute gunny bags.Store the bags in a shaded, cool environment, checking periodically to maintain uniform humidity.Method B (Water Sprinkling Method):Spread the harvested leaves evenly in open storage trays or bamboo baskets.Spray a fine mist of clean water over the leaves at regular intervals to maintain surface hydration and freshness.4. Biochemical and Freshness AssessmentQuality Monitoring: Periodically evaluate the preserved leaves from both treatment groups for moisture retention percentage and visible wilting.Nutritional Analysis: Quantify post-storage changes in essential nutrients (proteins and carbohydrates) to determine which preservation method best prevents nutritional degradation.5. Silkworm Bioassay TestingRearing Setup: Conduct off-season silkworm (Bombyx mori) rearing trials under standard local farm conditions using the preserved leaves.Data Collection: Feed the designated leaf groups to the larvae and systematically record the following performance metrics:Larval growth and development rateLarval metabolism and survival rateFinal cocoon weight and silk quality parameters

Institutions

• Bharathiar University

  Tamil Nadu, Coimbatore

Categories

Licence