Efficacy of aqueous extracts of some botanicals against grasserie disease of silkworm, Bombyx mori L.
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Author:S. PADMA AND S. MANIMEGALAI
p-ISSN:0024-9602, e-ISSN:2582-5321, Vol:94, Issue:jan-jun
DOI: https://doi.org/10.29321/MAJ.10.100654
Abstract
In tropical countries like India, mulberry
silkworm, Bombyx mori L. is continuously
reared throughout the year which makes it
highly susceptible to pathogens and hence
occurrence of diseases is a major constraint.
Botanicals also have got greater relevance in
the field of sericulture especially for disease
management. Aqueous extract of botanicals were
found promising against silkworm pest (bacterial
and viral diseases of silkworm) (Manimegalai
and Chandramohan, 2005& 2006). Chemical
disinfectants, bed disinfectants, antibiotics and
botanicals are being used for disease management
as an integrated approach. Among several
options, use of plant derived extracts is
appropriate for the current scenario because
of their cost effectiveness and ecofriendly
nature. Besides the antimicrobial effects, the
growth promoting factors of botanicals were
also demonstrated (Manimegalai and
Chandramohan, 2006). Presence of viral inhibitors
had been reported in various plant species
(Verma et al., 1985). The effect of P. corylifolia
against the grasserie disease of B. mori had
been reported (Sivaprakasam and Rabindra,
1996). Botanicals serve as an environment
friendly management approach against diseases.
In addition, the pathogens do not develop
resistance to botanicals inspite of their repeated
usage
Key words : Bombyx mori, disease