Careers360 Logo
Sericulture - Definition, Process, FAQs

Sericulture - Definition, Process, FAQs

Edited By Team Careers360 | Updated on Jul 02, 2025 05:06 PM IST

Define Sericulture:

Sericulture is the practise of raising silkworms for the purpose of producing silk. It is a type of agriculture. It requires raising silkworms for the purpose of producing raw silk, which is a material made from cocoons spun by specific insect species. Sericulture means in operations include cultivating silkworms that spin silk cocoons and reeling the cocoons to unwind the silk filament for value added benefits such as processing and weaving.

Background wave

silk cocoons and silk

Sericulture images: silk cocoons and silk

Domestic silk moth caterpillars (also known as ‘Bombyx mori') are the widely used silkworm species in sericulture in India. For the manufacture of ‘wild silks,' other varieties of silkworms (such as Eri, Muga, and Tasar) are also reared.

Sericulture in India:

The lives and culture of the Indians have been linked with silk. Sericulture meaning is a very old profession in India. After China, India is the world's second largest producer of silk, with Karnataka being the country's top producer. Due to its high employment centric, low capital intensive, and remunerative character, it represents a livelihood option for millions of people. A significant number of these employees, including females, come from the economically backward sections of society. India's historic and culture-bound home market, as well as a huge range of silk garments that reflect geographic uniqueness, have aided the country's rise to the top of the silk industry.

Also read -

Define Silk:

Silk is a protein fibre made up of two proteins: sericin and fibroin. Fibroin, which is concentrated at the centre of silk fibre, makes up around 80% of it. A coating of sericin surrounds this core (which makes up the remaining 20 percent of silk). Colour is imparted to silk via pigments (such as xanthophyll) in the sericin layer of the fibre.

Type of silk
Quality
Types of silkworm
Colour
Mulberry
Top quality, shining fibre.
Bombyx mori
Yellow, Green
Eri
Moderate quality with less shining
Attacus rinci
Creamy-white Brick-red
Muga
Slightly tough fibre, moderate quality
Anthraea assama
Light yellowish
Tasar
Lowest quality
Anthraea mytilla; A. paphia; A. royeli
Copper brown

Source: MS word (self-made)

Silk Production Process Steps:

Silkworm rearing and cocoon harvesting: A female silkworm lays its eggs on a mulberry tree leaf. It takes around 10 days for eggs to hatch once they are deposited. When the eggs hatch, the larvae resemble worms. The silkworm's life cycle lasts around 24-33 days during this stage. The silkworm's appearance will alter between the ages of 20 and 33 days, turning yellowish and transparent. This means they're getting ready to make a silk net around themselves, which is a liquid protein released by the silk moth or caterpillar's head.

The worm uses this silk as an anchor, swinging back and forth to pull a long continuous thread and create the cocoon. The fibre may be up to 1 kilometre long. Silkworms may construct a cocoon in as little as 48 hours. Silkworms are placed in a circular bamboo tray at this stage to produce evenly formed cocoons that are easier to harvest.

Circular bamboo with cocoons

Circular bamboo with cocoons

  1. Extraction of Silk: These new cocoons are now ready to be placed in the reeling pot. Each cocoon is made up of hundreds of yards of silk thread. It's critical to keep the silk thread's length. To destroy the chrysalis and make the fragile thread unravel easier, the cocoons are put in boiling water.
  2. Dyeing process: Before dying, the silk thread is cleaned and sericin (a kind of gum) is removed. Silk thread bundles are immersed in dye pots with a heated combination of indigo leaves for many days to achieve the desired colour and quality in the traditional process of dyeing Silk thread. Silk strands are dyed using contemporary commercial processes nowadays.
  3. Spinning process: Silk thread is spun after it has been dyed. Spinning wheels have been used for this purpose since an earlier period. Although numerous innovative ways for spinning silk threads have been invented, still the coloured silk strands are unwound using spinning wheels
NEET Highest Scoring Chapters & Topics
This ebook serves as a valuable study guide for NEET exams, specifically designed to assist students in light of recent changes and the removal of certain topics from the NEET exam.
Download EBook

1642663750720

  1. Weaving: Following the spinning of silk thread, the weaving of silk thread takes place. Weaving is the process of making a fabric out of a wrap by interlacing threads at correct angles. This is accomplished with the help of a loom. There are several types of machinery available now for weaving silk strands.

Weaving


  1. Binding (ikat): Silk cloth is dyed in a variety of designs and used to manufacture sarees, shawls, and other items. Wrap ikat, weft ikat, double ikat, and pasapalli ikat are all examples of ikat.

Moriculture:

Moriculture is the cultivation of mulberry plants for the purpose of feeding silkworms. These plants are important in the sericulture process. The most widely utilised method for mulberry cultivation is stem grafting. Cuttings from the stem of a mature mulberry plant are removed, measuring around 22 centimetres in length, and having at least three buds. These cuttings can be planted right once or maintained in nurseries for a while before being transplanted.

silkworms

The following methods can be used to harvest mulberry leaves from the plants:

  1. Leaf plucking is the manual removal of individual leaves.
  2. Branch cutting is the complete removal of a branch.
  3. Mulberry shoot tops are removed during top shoot harvesting.

It's worth noting that one kilogram of mulberry leaves may feed about 50 silkworms

Life Cycle of Silkworm:

  1. Egg: The egg is the initial stage in the silkworm's life cycle (stage 1 in the fig.). A female moth lays the egg, which is typically the size of a tiny dot. At any given moment, a female moth may deposit more than 350 eggs. The eggs hatch in the spring because the air is warmer. This treatment takes place once a year.
  2. Silkworm: After the eggs hatch, a hairy silkworm emerges (stage 2-6 in the fig.). The growth of silkworms occurs at this stage. They feed on mulberry leaves and eat a lot of them for around 30 days before moving on to the next stage.

1642663754317

3. Cocoon: Silkworms form a protective cocoon around themselves at this stage. It's about the size of a tiny cotton ball and is fashioned with a single silk thread.

4. Pupa: The pupa stage is characterised by its lack of movement. People destroy the pupa at this stage by immersing the cocoon in boiling water and unwinding the silk thread.

  1. Moth: The pupa transforms into an adult moth at this stage. After mating, the female moth lays eggs, and the silkworm's life cycle begins all over again.

Challenges in Sericulture:

Silk farmers who practice sericulture face a variety of issues that might adversely affect their crop. They are also vulnerable to a variety of health risks. Pebrine and flacherie are two illnesses that silkworms are prone to. Several pests can be harmful to silkworm larvae's growth and development. The following are some of the most significant problems addressed by sericulture

  1. The pebrine illness can infect the eggs and cause them to die before the larvae emerge. This illness causes black patches on the larvae and causes them to become sluggish.
  2. Infections with viruses can cause the larvae's bodies to shrink. They may also begin to emit an unpleasant odour.
  3. Other viral diseases, such as cytoplasmic polyhedrosis, might make the larvae eat less.
  4. The muscardine infection, which is caused by fungus, can make the larvae exceedingly weak and finally kill them.
  5. Dermestid beetle larvae can dig into silkworm cocoons and consume the pupae. These damaged cocoons can't be reeled in for silk.
  6. Silkworms are killed by a poisonous chemical produced by certain mites.

NCERT Chemistry Notes:

Importance of Sericulture:

  1. It has a high employment potential. It is astounding to learn that the sericulture sector employs 60 lakh people in our country on a yearly basis.
  2. Sericulture is a significant agro-based enterprise that adds value to villages
  3. Women-Friendly Occupation: Sericulture tasks such as mulberry garden maintenance, leaf harvesting, and silkworm rearing are better carried out by women.
  4. Mulberry (plant used for sericulture) is an environmentally beneficial crop that offers green cover and aids to soil conservation as a perennial crop with strong leaf and root-spread.
  5. Silkworm waste may be recycled and used as fertiliser in the mulberry garden.

Also check-

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. What is silk or What is silkworm?

Silk is a natural fibre produced by the cocoon of silkworms. Silk fibres are extremely robust and are frequently used in the manufacture of clothing.

2. What is meant by sericulture or What is sericulture definition?

Sericulture is the practise of breeding silkworms (i.e., the creation of cocoons) for the purpose of commercial silk production.

3. Describe briefly how silk is produced

Sericulture is the name given to the process of making silk. The rearing of silkworms on mulberry leaves is the first step in the extraction of raw silk. Individual long threads are removed and put into the spinning reel after the worms begin to pupate in their cocoons, which are dissolved in boiling water.

4. Different steps in Sericulture.

Moriculture, Silkworm rearing Silk reeling 

5. Name the plant important in sericulture.

Mulberry leaves.

6. What is sericulture?
Sericulture is the process of cultivating silkworms to produce silk. It involves rearing silkworms, growing mulberry plants as food for the silkworms, and extracting silk from their cocoons. This practice is also known as silk farming and has been an important industry for thousands of years.
7. Which species of silkworm is most commonly used in sericulture?
The most commonly used species in sericulture is Bombyx mori, also known as the domesticated silkworm. This species has been selectively bred for centuries to maximize silk production and is entirely dependent on humans for survival and reproduction.
8. What are the main stages in the sericulture process?
The main stages in sericulture are: 1) Mulberry cultivation, 2) Silkworm egg production and incubation, 3) Silkworm rearing, 4) Cocoon formation, 5) Cocoon harvesting, 6) Silk reeling and processing.
9. What is the difference between mulberry silk and wild silk?
Mulberry silk comes from domesticated silkworms (Bombyx mori) fed exclusively on mulberry leaves, resulting in fine, uniform, and lustrous silk. Wild silk, such as tussar or muga, comes from silkworms that feed on various forest leaves, producing coarser, less uniform silk with a different texture and color.
10. What is the composition of silk fiber?
Silk fiber is primarily composed of two proteins: fibroin and sericin. Fibroin forms the core of the silk fiber and gives it strength and luster, while sericin acts as a glue to hold the fibroin fibers together.
11. What do silkworms eat?
Silkworms primarily feed on mulberry leaves. The Bombyx mori species specifically prefers white mulberry (Morus alba) leaves. The quality and quantity of mulberry leaves directly affect the quality and quantity of silk produced.
12. How long does it take for a silkworm to produce a cocoon?
It takes about 3-4 weeks for a silkworm to grow from an egg to the cocoon-spinning stage. During this time, the silkworm goes through five growth stages called instars, molting its skin between each stage.
13. How is silk extracted from cocoons?
Silk is extracted through a process called reeling. The cocoons are first boiled in water to soften the sericin, which allows the silk fibers to be unwound. The softened cocoons are then brushed to find the end of the silk thread, which is then carefully unwound onto a reel.
14. Why are most silkworms killed before they emerge from their cocoons?
Silkworms are usually killed before they emerge to prevent them from breaking the continuous silk thread when they exit the cocoon. If the moth emerges naturally, it secretes enzymes to break down the silk, resulting in shorter, less valuable silk fibers.
15. How does temperature affect silkworm growth and silk production?
Temperature plays a crucial role in silkworm growth and silk production. The optimal temperature range for silkworm rearing is between 20-28°C (68-82°F). Higher temperatures can accelerate growth but may reduce silk quality, while lower temperatures slow down growth and can lead to disease.
16. What is the economic importance of sericulture?
Sericulture is economically important as it provides employment and income for millions of people worldwide, especially in rural areas. It contributes significantly to the textile industry and export earnings in many countries, particularly in Asia.
17. How does humidity affect silk production?
Humidity is crucial in silk production. The ideal relative humidity for silkworm rearing is 65-80%. Too low humidity can cause dehydration and poor cocoon formation, while too high humidity can promote fungal growth and diseases, both affecting silk quality and quantity.
18. What is the environmental impact of sericulture?
Sericulture can have both positive and negative environmental impacts. On the positive side, mulberry cultivation can prevent soil erosion and provide green cover. However, the use of pesticides in mulberry farming and chemicals in silk processing can have negative effects on the environment if not managed properly.
19. How does the quality of mulberry leaves affect silk production?
The quality of mulberry leaves directly influences silk production. Leaves with higher protein content and lower fiber content produce better quality silk. Factors like soil fertility, irrigation, and harvesting time of leaves all affect leaf quality and, consequently, silk quality and quantity.
20. What is the difference between bivoltine and multivoltine silkworms?
Bivoltine silkworms produce two generations per year and are typically used in temperate regions. They produce higher quality silk but are more sensitive to environmental conditions. Multivoltine silkworms produce multiple generations per year, are more resistant to harsh conditions, but generally produce lower quality silk.
21. How has genetic engineering impacted sericulture?
Genetic engineering has been used to develop silkworm strains with improved silk quality, disease resistance, and productivity. It has also been used to create silkworms that produce silk with novel properties, such as increased strength or fluorescence.
22. What are the main diseases that affect silkworms?
The main diseases affecting silkworms include: 1) Pebrine (caused by a microsporidian parasite), 2) Flacherie (bacterial infection), 3) Muscardine (fungal infection), and 4) Grasserie (viral infection). These diseases can significantly impact silk production and quality.
23. How does the silk industry address ethical concerns about silkworm treatment?
The silk industry has been addressing ethical concerns by developing alternatives like peace silk or ahimsa silk, where silkworms are allowed to emerge from their cocoons naturally before the silk is harvested. Some producers are also exploring synthetic silk alternatives to reduce reliance on silkworms.
24. What is degumming in silk processing?
Degumming is the process of removing sericin (the gummy protein that coats silk fibers) from raw silk. This is typically done by boiling the silk in a soap solution, which dissolves the sericin and leaves behind the soft, lustrous fibroin fibers.
25. How does the structure of silk fiber contribute to its properties?
Silk's unique properties come from its molecular structure. The fibroin protein forms long, strong beta-sheet structures that give silk its strength and elasticity. The arrangement of these structures also contributes to silk's luster and ability to refract light, giving it its characteristic sheen.
26. How does the silkworm's diet affect the color of silk?
While the silkworm's diet doesn't typically affect silk color (as silk is naturally white or off-white), some experiments have shown that feeding silkworms dyed mulberry leaves or adding certain chemicals to their diet can result in colored silk. However, this is not common in commercial production.
27. What is the difference between raw silk and spun silk?
Raw silk is reeled directly from silkworm cocoons in long, continuous fibers. It's smooth, strong, and lustrous. Spun silk is made from short silk fibers (from damaged cocoons or waste silk) that are twisted together. It's less lustrous and uniform than raw silk but still retains many silk properties.
28. What is the role of diapause in silkworm egg production?
Diapause is a period of suspended development in silkworm eggs, typically induced by environmental factors. In sericulture, diapause is often artificially induced and terminated to control the timing of egg hatching, allowing for year-round silk production even in regions with distinct seasons.
29. How does the molting process affect silkworm care in sericulture?
Silkworms molt four times before spinning their cocoon. During molting, they stop eating and become immobile. Sericulturists must be careful not to disturb the worms during this time and must adjust feeding and care routines. Understanding the molting cycle is crucial for successful silkworm rearing.
30. What is the significance of the fifth instar in silkworm development?
The fifth instar is the final and most critical stage of silkworm larval development. During this stage, silkworms consume about 80% of their total food intake and grow rapidly. The quality and quantity of silk produced largely depends on the health and nutrition of the silkworm during this stage.
31. What is the role of sericin in silk production?
Sericin, often called silk gum, coats the fibroin fibers in raw silk. It acts as a protective layer and helps bind the fibroin fibers together in the cocoon. In silk processing, most sericin is removed during degumming, but some high-end textiles retain a portion of sericin for its antimicrobial and UV-resistant properties.
32. How does the spinning process of silkworms work?
When a silkworm is ready to spin its cocoon, it secretes liquid silk from two glands in its head. As this liquid passes through the spinneret (a specialized organ), it hardens into a continuous fiber. The silkworm moves its head in a figure-eight pattern, wrapping the silk around itself to form the cocoon.
33. What are the challenges in organic sericulture?
Organic sericulture faces challenges such as: 1) Controlling pests and diseases without synthetic pesticides, 2) Maintaining soil fertility without chemical fertilizers, 3) Ensuring consistent silk quality and yield, 4) Meeting certification requirements, and 5) Competing with conventional silk production in terms of cost and scale.
34. How does sericulture contribute to rural development?
Sericulture contributes to rural development by providing year-round employment, requiring low initial investment, and offering quick returns. It can be practiced as a part-time activity alongside agriculture, helping to diversify rural incomes. It also promotes the development of associated industries and skills in rural areas.
35. What is the importance of cocoon cooking in silk processing?
Cocoon cooking is a crucial step in silk processing where cocoons are boiled to soften the sericin that binds the silk fibers. This process kills the pupa inside and makes it possible to unravel the continuous silk filament. The temperature and duration of cooking significantly affect the ease of reeling and the quality of the resulting silk.
36. How does air pollution affect silkworm health and silk production?
Air pollution can negatively impact silkworm health and silk production. Pollutants can contaminate mulberry leaves, leading to reduced food quality for silkworms. Direct exposure to air pollutants can also stress silkworms, making them more susceptible to diseases and potentially reducing the quantity and quality of silk produced.
37. What is the role of automation in modern sericulture?
Automation is increasingly used in modern sericulture to improve efficiency and consistency. This includes automated systems for temperature and humidity control in rearing houses, mechanized leaf cutting and feeding systems, and automated silk reeling machines. However, many aspects of silkworm care still require human attention and expertise.
38. How does the pH of mulberry leaves affect silkworm growth?
The pH of mulberry leaves can significantly affect silkworm growth and silk production. Silkworms prefer slightly acidic leaves (pH 6.5-7.0). Leaves that are too acidic or too alkaline can reduce feed efficiency and silk production. The pH of leaves is influenced by soil conditions, fertilization practices, and environmental factors.
39. What is the significance of the cocoon shape in sericulture?
The shape of the cocoon is an important indicator of silk quality and quantity. Oval-shaped cocoons are generally preferred as they are easier to reel and produce higher quality silk. The cocoon shape can be influenced by silkworm breed, rearing conditions, and the health of the silkworm.
40. How does sericulture impact biodiversity?
Sericulture can have both positive and negative impacts on biodiversity. Mulberry cultivation can provide habitat for various species. However, monoculture practices and the use of high-yielding silkworm varieties can reduce genetic diversity. Sustainable sericulture practices aim to balance production needs with biodiversity conservation.
41. What is the role of artificial diet in modern sericulture?
Artificial diets in sericulture are formulated feeds that can partially or fully replace mulberry leaves. They offer advantages like year-round availability, consistent nutrition, and reduced labor. However, they are generally more expensive than natural leaves and may affect silk quality. They are mainly used in research and specific commercial applications.
42. What is the importance of silkworm egg selection in sericulture?
Silkworm egg selection is crucial for maintaining high-quality silk production. Eggs are selected based on factors like size, shape, color, and the health of the parent moths. Proper selection helps ensure high hatching rates, disease resistance, and desirable silk characteristics in the next generation of silkworms.
43. How does sericulture contribute to carbon sequestration?
Sericulture can contribute to carbon sequestration primarily through mulberry cultivation. Mulberry trees, like other plants, absorb carbon dioxide from the atmosphere. The long-term cultivation of mulberry orchards for sericulture can help in storing carbon in plant biomass and soil, potentially mitigating climate change effects.
44. What is the role of pheromones in silkworm breeding?
Pheromones play a crucial role in silkworm breeding. Female moths release sex pheromones to attract males for mating. Understanding and manipulating these pheromones is important in controlled breeding programs. Synthetic pheromones are sometimes used to enhance mating efficiency or to disrupt mating in pest management strategies.
45. How does water quality affect silk production?
Water quality is important in several stages of silk production. In silkworm rearing, clean water is essential for maintaining hygiene and preventing diseases. In silk processing, water quality affects the efficiency of degumming and dyeing processes. Hard water or water with high mineral content can negatively impact silk quality and color.
46. How does genetic diversity in silkworm populations affect sericulture?
Genetic diversity in silkworm populations is crucial for the long-term sustainability of sericulture. It provides a pool of traits that can be selected for disease resistance, adaptability to different environments, and improved silk quality. Maintaining genetic diversity helps in developing new silkworm strains and in responding to changing environmental conditions or market demands.
47. How does the amino acid composition of silk proteins contribute to silk properties?
The amino acid composition of silk proteins, primarily fibroin, determines many of silk's unique properties. Fibroin is rich in glycine, alanine, and serine, which allow for tight packing of protein chains into strong, flexible structures. The repetitive sequences
48. What is sericulture's role in sustainable fashion?
Sericulture plays a role in sustainable fashion as silk is a renewable, biodegradable fiber. However, its sustainability depends on production methods. Organic sericulture, which avoids synthetic pesticides and promotes biodiversity, is gaining popularity in the sustainable fashion movement.
49. How do different species of silkworms produce different types of silk?
Different silkworm species produce silk with varying characteristics. For example, Bombyx mori produces fine, uniform silk, while Antheraea pernyi (tussar silkworm) produces a coarser, stronger silk. The differences arise from variations in the protein composition and structure of the silk fibers.
50. How does crossbreeding affect silk production?
Crossbreeding in sericulture involves mating silkworms of different strains or races to produce offspring with desired traits. This can result in hybrid vigor, leading to increased silk yield, better disease resistance, or improved adaptability to different environmental conditions.
51. How does the sex of the silkworm affect silk production?
Female silkworms generally produce larger cocoons with more silk than males. However, male silk is often finer and more uniform. In commercial sericulture, both male and female silkworms are used for silk production, but understanding these differences is important for breeding programs and quality control.
52. What is the significance of the pupal stage in the silkworm life cycle?
The pupal stage is a critical phase in the silkworm life cycle where the larva transforms into an adult moth inside the cocoon. During this stage, the pupa undergoes complex physiological changes. In sericulture, this stage is usually terminated by killing the pupa to preserve the continuous silk filament of the cocoon.
53. What is the role of sericulture in preserving traditional knowledge and cultural practices?
Sericulture plays a significant role in preserving traditional knowledge and cultural practices in many regions. It often involves traditional techniques passed down through generations, including specific methods of silkworm rearing, cocoon harvesting, and silk weaving. These practices are often intertwined with local customs, festivals, and artisanal traditions, contributing to cultural heritage preservation.

Articles

Back to top