Background: Antibiotic agents have been used in recent years to increase the growth of silkworm larvae and to improve production. In this context, the present investigation reported the effects of ceftiofur sodium, oxytetracycline and enroflaxcin on total haemocyte count (cells/mm3), survival percentage and economic characteristics in silkworm Bombyx mori L. at various concentration levels. The study regarding the effect of antibiotics was conducted on the silkworm breed APS-45. Three concentrations (0.05%, 0.10% and 0.15%) were prepared for each antibiotic. The worms were reared upto 3rd instar without any treatment. After third moult silkworms were supplemented with antibiotic fortified mulberry leaves. Results: The experimental results showed that the effect of different antibiotics on economic parameters like larval weight, larval duration, cocoon weight, shell ratio and raw silk percentage were significantly increased in the treated lines in comparison to the control. Antibiotics also increased survival percentage and the most effective result was obtained at 0.15% of ceftiofur sodium followed by oxytetracycline and enroflaxcin. In the present study highest THC value of 9157.33 mm/cm3 was recorded in treatment ceftiofur sodium treated batch at concentration C3 0.15%. An increment in the total haemocyte count was observed in other treatments as well and the cell count increased with an increase in concentration of antibiotic dosage and the effectiveness of the antibiotics followed the order ceftiofur sodium, oxytetracycline and enroflaxcin. Conclusion: This research outlines that there is a significant improvement in the total haemocyte count and economic traits in silkworm with the supplementation of antibiotic fortified mulberry leaves. The antibiotic treatment has significantly improved the raw silk percentage and has been found to be effective in reducing the mortality of silkworms. So, this antibiotic fortification can be further exploited for higher raw silk production.

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In the present study, susceptibility of the mulberry pest G. pyloalis to the pathogens of silkworm, Bombyx mori was ascertained. The survey was carried out at the three locations viz. Mulberry farms of College of Temperate Sericulture, Mirgund and two mulberry farms of Sericulture Development Department, J&K located at Mirgund and Tulsibagh, Srinagar. The plantation is ravaged by different pests and diseases and as many as 11 major and 10 minor insect pests have been reported from Jammu and Kashmir (Sharma and Tara, 1985; Khan et al., 2004). Under temperate conditions, G. pyloalis (Walker) causes severe damage to mulberry crop and is considered as a major pest of mulberry in Jammu and Kashmir (Fotadar et al., 1998). Zeya et al. (2003) reported 20-25 percent damage to mulberry foliage in Kashmir is due to G. Pyloalis during July to October. The survey study showed high infestation of G. Pyloalis during the month of October, 2017 and 2018. The maximum infestation of 73.03% was observed at SDD Tulsi Bagh followed by 45.20% at SDD Mirgund and 32.99% at CoTS Farm. During the study various stages of G. Pyloalis were found infected with the Microsporidian and Nuclear Polyhedral Virus whereas Fungal and bacterial pathogens were not observed during the present study. The mean incidence of Microsporidian and NPV was observed as 4.22% and 5.99% percent respectively during October, 2017. In the present study, susceptibility of the mulberry pest G. Pyloalis to the pathogens of silkworm, Bombyx mori was ascertained so that management strategies are taken accordingly

The study was conducted in horticulture zone Tangmarg of district Baramulla of Jammu and Kashmir. Horticulture Zone Tangmarg comprises of 65 villages out of which 35 villages were under cherry cultivation, from 35 villages 06 villages were selected purposively on the basis of maximum area under cherry cultivation. From the selected 06 villages 120 cherry growers were selected through proportionate allocation method. It has been observed that the skills of cherry growers regarding expert guidance planning, layout planning, soil testing pest and disease management, nutritional management training and pruning etc. were low and as such majority (46.67%) of the cherry growers have high training needs. Integrated disease management receiving highest score was the most prioritized thematic area for training need followed by Soil testing, training and pruning techniques, integrated pest management etc. The training need for marketing technique, processing and value addition packing and grading was given lowest priority by the cherry growers. It was concluded that need based cost effective training programmes and strategies need to be tailored, so that human resource be put to effective use for achieving sustainable cherry production.

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