Scientists from the Central Sericultural Research and Training Institute (CSR&TI) in Mysuru have urged farmers to use only the pesticides recommended by the institute to tackle the problem of silkworms failing to spin cocoons.
After noticing a rise in the complaints of silkworms failing into spin cocoons, scientists from CSR&TI visited several parts of Karnataka and neighbouring States and collected more than 90 samples of silkworms, soil, and mulberry leaves. After subjecting them to testing and analysis, it was found that the use of unrecommended pesticides, as well as other spurious chemicals on mulberry crops, was found to be the reason for the silkworms failing to spin a cocoon, said CSR&TI Director Dr. Gandhi Doss while addressing a press conference in Mysuru on Tuesday, November 21.
He regretted that sericulture farmers were using a variety of chemical pesticides that had not been recommended by the institute for mulberry cultivation. The chemical residue of the pesticides and other agrochemicals affects the nervous system and other health conditions of the silkworm, leading to its inability to spin a cocoon, he said.
