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@article{179420,
        author = {Arbind Kumar Baitha and Dr. Pushpalata Hansdak},
        title = {STUDY ON IMPROVING AWARENESS OF FARMERS IN ERI SILKWORM REARING IN SARAN DISTRICT OF BIHAR},
        journal = {International Journal of Innovative Research in Technology},
        year = {2025},
        volume = {11},
        number = {12},
        pages = {7926-7929},
        issn = {2349-6002},
        url = {https://ijirt.org/article?manuscript=179420},
        abstract = {Eri-silkworm (Samia ricini), a nonmulberry silkworm species, is traditionally reared on
castor (Ricinus communis) leaves, which provide
optimal nutritional support for larval growth and
cocoon development. However, the seasonal and
regional unavailability of castor in many parts of
Bihar, including Saran district, has prompted the need
to explore alternative food plants. The present study
investigates and compares the rearing performance of
eri-silkworm on three host plants—Ricinus communis,
Manihot esculenta (tapioca), and Heteropanax
fragrans—under field conditions in the Saran district
of Bihar. The larvae were observed for parameters
such as larval duration, survival rate, cocoon weight,
and silk yield. The results revealed that castor-fed
larvae showed the highest growth rate, cocoon quality,
and survival, while tapioca-fed larvae demonstrated
comparable traits and adaptability. Heteropanax
fragrans performed relatively lower in terms of larval
development and cocoon characteristics. These
findings support earlier research by Suryanarayana &
Srivastava (2005) and Das et al. (2020), which
emphasize the potential of tapioca and other locally
available food plants as suitable alternatives for erisilkworm cultivation. This study encourages the use of
region specific host plants to promote year-round
rearing and enhance sericulture-based livelihoods in
Bihar.},
        keywords = {Silkworm, Samia ricini, alternative host plants, Ricinus communis, Manihot esculenta, Heteropanax fragrans, cocoon yield, Bihar, Saran district, sericulture sustainability.},
        month = {May},
        }