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Master's Degree in Sericulture / Agricultural or Horticultural Entomology.
The examination consisting of 120 questions to be attempted in a duration of 2 hrs (120 minutes) will have three parts:
Part A-20 items pertaining to general knowledge in agriculture and allied sciences / reasoning ability + Part B-50 items from core group containing the specialized subject for Ph.D. + Part C-50 items from the specialized subject for Ph.D.
07 SERICULTURE
Unit 1: Mulberry Crop Production
Mulberry genetic variability and distribution-varieties-Soil suitability-Climatic requirements and constraints - Propagation methods - Planting methods - inter cropping - population geometry - growth analysis - Soil fertility - fertilizer recommendation - integrated nutrient management - organic farming - Water management - Weed management -Problem soils and management - Rain fed mulberry - Chawki garden maintenance - Training and pruning -Leaf quality-concept and assessment-preservation-Sericulture in integrated farming system- Resource management in mulberry crop production-Mechanization-machineries in sericulture- Pests, diseases and nematodes of mulberry and their management.
Unit 2: Mulberry and Silkworm Breeding
Germplasm-collection-conservation-evaluation and utilization-choice of parental genotypes for selection and hybridization -inter varietal and interspecific hybridization and polycross-clones-clonal Selection-Breeding for quality-genetic relationship between mulberry and silk worm genotypes-environmental interactions. Biotic and abiotic stresses- selection of suitable host genotypes for stability and responsiveness across the environments - selection for different situations like drought and salinity-breeding for tree types-selection of genotypes-responsive to pruning - innovative breeding approaches - tissue culture/micro propagation of mulberry plants-contribution of National and International Institutes - Distinguishing characters of released varieties- production of nucleus and breeders planting materials. Silkworm - present status of silkworm breeding - establishing a silkworm breeding programme - introduction of exotic gene source. In breeding techniques-crossbreeding techniques for hybridization- different methods-mutation- convergent crossing-diallel selection-selection of good inbred combiners. Selection for single trait and multi traits-breeding for tolerance to pathogens, early maturity, high temperature, post cocoon characters-breeding for biochemical parameters and sex-limited characters-recent advances in silkworm breeding.
Unit 3: Silkworm Biology
Position of sericigenous insects in class insecta-silkworm integument-moulting process- exoskeleton-structure and Function-Body regions-head and its appendages in silkworm-mouth Parts-Types of antenna and mouth parts in silkworm and other insects-Cephalic glands. Thorax and its appendages-modification of legs in silkworm and in other insects-type of wings and venation in Bombycidae and Saturnidae - Abdomen and its appendages - male and female genitalia in silk moths-male-female reproductive system-spermatogenesis-oogenesis- unusual types of development. Morphology and anatomy of eggs of silkworm-Diapause-physiology of diapause-biochemical changes - stages of development in diapausing and non-diapausing eggs - principles underlying breaking diapause and cold storage. Structure and function of silk gland-protein requirement in silkworm-composition of amino acids in silk gland-transamination-chemistry of fibroin, sericin and P25-biosynthesis of silk-role of food supplementation on silk yield. Structure and function of digestive system-circulatory system-respiratory system-excretory system - endocrine system - role of JH and anti JH analogues/ phytohormoens in cocoon production.
Unit 4: Silkworm Protection
Insect pathology-history-Concepts-Silkworm diseases-pathogenicity-kinds of infection- symptoms and pathologies associated with various diseases-classification of non-infectious and infectious diseases-poisoning due to gases- tobacco poisoning-nutritional and genetic diseases. Silkworm viruses-resistance of silkworm breeds against viral infection-role of antiviral and viral inhibitory factors- non-inclusion viruses. Miscellaneous flacherie diseases - Bacterial diseases - etiology - epizootology - bacterial toxicosis- symptoms - management of bacterial diseases. Protozoan diseases-biodiversity-symptoms-detection-monitoring and management-silkworm mycoses - types of fungal diseases -- symptoms and management - disinfection and hygiene - disinfectants - mode of action. Pests of silkworm-uzifly-external morphology, biology, symptoms and management practices- pests of grainage-non-insect pests-mite-nematode-rodents’ symptoms and management practices.
Unit 5: Silkworm Nutrition
Insect nutrition-nutritional requirements of silkworm larva-nutritional composition of mulberry leaves-feeding physiology of silkworm. Carbohydrate requirement - carbohydrate metabolism - lipid metabolism - synthesis of fatty acid in Bombyx mori - Amino acid requirement. Transamination - silk proteins physio-chemical properties - fibroin and sericin synthesis- supplementation of nutrients for high silk yield. Role of water soluble and lipid soluble vitamins-growth factor-role and requirement of minerals- larval excretion. Dry matter economy-intestinal flora of silkworm-Artificial diet-nutrient management through food supplementation.
Unit 6: Non-Mulberry Sericulture
Status of vanya silk industry in India-History-Types of non-mulberry silkworms-Distribution and eco races of non-mulberry silkworms- Maintenance of germplasm of non-mulberry silkworms - Eri silkworm-morphology and voltinism-and their host Plants-Castor for dual purpose. Tasar silkworm-food plants and cultivation practices-large scale Plantations-Terminalia arjuna and Terminaliato mentosa-Pests and diseases on food plants and their Management-Rearing of different non-mulberry Silkworms-Pests and diseases of non-mulberry silkworms- Management practices. Muga silkworm-food plants and cultivation practices-Pests and diseases on food plants and their management - Rearing technology - Economics of rearing-Marketing System-Silk reeling techniques--Recent advances in non-mulberry silk industry-Biotechnological approaches.
Unit 7: Silk Reeling Technology
Cocoon marketing-price fixation-sorting, mixing, drying and stifling-Cocoon cooking- principle and methods. Types of reeling machines. Comparative output of each device - advantages and disadvantages of different reeling devices. Reeling water quality. Silk throwing and weaving-processes involved in winding, doubling, twisting, rewinding for warp and weft-hank Making-Wet processing-degumming and bleaching by alkali and enzyme methods-dyeing- different dyes - warping and weaving - printing - block, hand screen tables Grading of silk- standards-silk exchange- by products and its uses.
Unit 8: Silkworm Seed Cocoon and Egg Production
Status and strategies of silkworm egg production - Morphology - Embryology - Biochemical changes in Eggs-Seed cocoon-preservation-selection-sorting-sex separation-cocoon melting. Moth emergence-sexing-pairing and depairing-egg Laying-Handling of eggs-embryological tools- diapausing and non-diapausing eggs - Acid treatment - preservation schedule - incubation/Black boxing technique- bivoltine seed production. Seed crop monitoring- agencies-seed Organization-Seed Acts-licensing procedures-pests of grainage - pebrine diagnosis and management-cocoon melting - seed acts.
