A simple, efficient and cost effective protocol for detection of BmNPV in the silkworm, Bombyx mori L.

Abstract

The present investigation was carried out at P. G. Department of Sericulture, Poonch campus, University of Jammu for isolation and identification of various diseases. Silkworm just like all other living organisms is susceptible to infection and diseases. Various pathogens including viruses (Nuclear Polyhydrosis, Cytoplasmic Polyhydrosis), bacteria (flacherie), fungi (muscardine) and protozoa (pebrine) cause various diseases to silkworm. Among various diseases the most common and most critical one is viral diseases like Bombyx mori Nuclear Polyhydrosis (BmNPV) and Bombyx mori Cytoplasmic Polyhydrosis (BmNPV), commonly known as Grasserie and it accounts for about 13.85 to 26.03 per cent of crop loss alone. In the present investigation a simple, efficient and cost effective protocol has been designed for detection of BmNPV by using various body organs of silkworm larva like, a) using whole larva b) using haemolymph c) using larval body without alimentary canal and d) using KoH. On the basis of visual and microscopic observations it has been reported that the present larval samples were found to be infected with Nuclear Polyhydrosis (Grasserie) disease caused by BmNPV. Thus, this study aids in easy and efficient diagnosis methodology for detection of grasserie disease with minimum inputs and maximum accuracy.