1.

Project Code

:

-

2.

Title

:

Studies on the incidence of mulberry diseases and extent of damage

3.

Investigators

:

Mandal SK, Biswas S, Teotia RS, Elangovan C, Pratheesh Kumar PM, Gangwar SK, Qadri SMH.

4.

Project period

:

1990-1996

5.

Institute/ University

:

CSR&TI, Barhampore

6.

Project cost

:

-

7.

Objectives

• To study the incidence and intensity of mulberry diseases in West Bengal.
• To study the extent of damage due to mulberry diseases.

8.

Important findings

 Incidence pattern of major mulberry diseases were studied through survey during major commercial silkworm crop seasons in the farmers’ field of Malda, Murshidabad and Birbhum districts of West Bengal. The district Malda was identified as hotspot for important foliar diseases. Such as powdery mildew, leaf spot, leaf rust and bacterial blight. Highest incidence of powdery mildew was observed during November-December while leaf spot and bacterial blight during July-August and leaf rust during February-March.

Studies on extent of damage showed maximum leaf yield loss at farmers level due to leaf spot (46.8%) followed by powdery mildew (20.4%) and leaf rust (17.3%). Leaf yield due to bacterial blight was low (6.4%). Rearing conducted with diseased leaves adversely affected silkworm crops. Reduction in cocoon yield up to 54.6% and 55.6% was found when leaf exhibited maximum occurrence of leaf spot and powdery mildew disease respectively. The economic loss was calculated to the tune of 61.3% and 64.4% due to these diseases, which was estimated to be Rs 13,041/- and Rs 17,291/- per ha/year.