Study of irrigation regimes and nutrient management practices on economics of mulberry silkworm cocoon production

Abstract

Field experiments were conducted at field No. 68 of Eastern Block, Department of Sericulture, Tamil Nadu Agricultural University, Coimbatore during 2015-2016. Investigations were undertaken on mulberry variety Victory-1(V1) to evaluate “Study of irrigation regimes and nutrient management practices on economics of silkworm cocoon production”. The experiments were laid out in split plot design in three replications. Four irrigation regimes viz., irrigation of 5 cm depth at 1.20 IW/CPE ratio, irrigation of 5 cm depth at 0.90 IW/CPE ratio, irrigation of 5 cm depth at 0.60 IW/CPE ratio and irrigation of 5 cm depth at 1.0 IW/CPE (control) with four levels in main plots and four nutrient management practices viz., absolute control (no organic & inorganic), 100 per cent inorganic fertilizers (NPK 375:140:140 kg/ha/year), 50 per cent inorganic fertilizers + 50 per cent organic manures (25 per cent vermin compost + 25 per cent bio fertilizer) and 100 per cent organic manures (50 per cent vermin compost + 50 per cent bio fertilizer) treatment in the subplots were studied. Irrigation was given based on the IW/CPE (Irrigation Water / Cumulative Pan Evaporation) ratio as per the treatment schedule and nutrients management practices also as per the treatment schedule. Mulberry leaves were collected from each treatment and fed to silkworm to study the response of irrigation regimes and nutrient management practices on growth and economic characteristics of double hybrid silkworm (CSR 6 X CSR26) X (CSR 2 X CSR 27) and cross breed (PM X CSR 2). The results of the experiment revealed that irrigation of 5 cm depth at 0.9 IW/CPE ratio and 50 per cent inorganic and 50 per cent organic manures application registered more gross income, net income and B: C ratio.