West Bengal is the major traditional silk producing state of India. It is the third largest silk producing state of our country. In West Bengal rearing season is divided mainly in two parts i.e. dry summer and wet summer. November to April comes under dry summer (except a very brief period of winter) where temperature is higher than optimum and humidity is lower than optimum. May to October comes under wet summer where temperature and humidity both are higher than environment. Mulberry is the sole food plant of Bombyx mori. Mulberry crop span is 70 days. So five leaf harvests as well as five rearings of silkworm are done in a year. November crop (winter or Agrahani), February crop (spring or Falguni) and April crop (summer or Baishaki) come under dry summer where June-July crop (Rainy or Shrabani) and August-September crop (autumn or Aswina) come under wet summer (Das et al. 1994, 2006; Sarkar et al. 2008, 2012; Sarkar and Majumdar 2016 and 2017).

The silkworm Bombyx mori is essentially monophagous and survives solely on the mulberry leaves (Morus spp.). Mulberry is a highly heterozygous and vegetatively propagated species that is prone to prolonged juvenile period. Since the quality of silk production is directly proportional to the quality of leaves used as the exclusive feed for these worms, leaf quality is of utmost importance in sericulture. Sarkar et al. (2008) suggested that in S-1635 mulberry variety which considers as ruling mulberry variety in West Bengal tender leaves contained 79.59% leaf moisture, 82.41% moisture retentions capacity after 6 hours, 49.78 mg/gm of total soluble sugar and 30.82 mg/gm of total soluble protein followed by medium leaf which contained 72.92% leaf moisture, 74.91% moisture retentions capacity after 6 hours, 47.22 mg/gm of total soluble sugar and 28.67 mg/gm of total soluble protein. Mature leaf contained 67.13% leaf moisture, 70.02% moisture retentions capacity after 6 hours, 45.34 mg/ gm of total soluble sugar and 27.63 mg/gm of total soluble protein respectively (Table 1). This study suggested that tender leaf is more nutritious than other maturity level of leaves. The nutrient quality of mature leaf is very poor. This observation is almost similar to the observations laid by Rangswamy et al (1976), Bongale et al. (1991) and Patil (2002). According to them the top tender leaves are nutritionally richer compared to medium, matured and over matured leaves. They also reported that the maximum values of leaf moisture, protein, sugar contents and moisture were recorded with tender leaves, which gradually depleted at varied degrees with increasing maturity levels among the varieties. It is well known fact that silkworm cannot drink water separately; it takes water only from leaf. On the other hand protein is important because it helps in synthesis of silk and helps in production of silkworm eggs. Carbohydrate acts as a source of energy in Silkworm and it also helps in synthesis of fats. So, feeding of tender leaves to silkworm larvae assumes greater importance. But in tropical and subtropical belt of India particularly in West Bengal at farmers’ level there is a trend to feed silkworm with medium to mature leaves by clipping the top tender leaves particularly in late stages. There is a strong belief is working behind the activity. The belief is that tender leaf feeding during late age causes grasserie disease. Even same belief was also reported from some certain scientists (Sivaprakasham (1996) Basarajappa and Savanurmath (1997) Elumalai et al. (2001)) but Sarkar et al. 2008 and 2012 clearly proved that there is no relation between tender leaf feeding and occurrence of grasserie disease. He also suggests that tender leaf fed batch showed highest effective rate of rearing and lowest melting percentage particularly in dry summer in West Bengal. Actually the main reason behind the occurrence of grasserie disease is not clear till date. Kawakami, K (2001) suggested that high (28-35°C), low (10-20°C) temperature and humidity (below 70%) as well as drastic changes in temperature and humidity during the rearing may cause grasserie disease in silkworm. On the other hand Nataraju et al. (2005) suggested that silkworm Bombyx mori appears normal and shows no symptoms or change in appetite during more than two third of incubation period in case of grasserie disease of silkworm (Caused by Bombyx mori nuclear polyhedrosis virus). He also suggested that the signs and symptoms caused by the nuclear polyhedrosis virus in general are not apparent for several days. Usually the first symptoms appear 5–7 days post infection. But in the present investigation author found grasserie infected larvae even in 1^st instar itself. So, who knows grasserie may occur due to transovarial transmission? Sarkar et al. (2008) clearly suggested that November to April when humidity is relatively lower in the environment, it is better to feed silkworm with succulent tender leaves. Tender leaves contain more moisture, more soluble sugar, more soluble protein and having more moisture retentions capacity will be helpful for silkworm rearing to maintain more moisture in the rearing bed. Sarkar et al. (2012) again suggested that tender leaf fed batch significantly showed better performance in respect of all the characters, he suggested that profuse use of tender leaves during dry summer increased the cocoon yield/100 DFLs (55.72 kg) significantly than control batch (47.26 kg) for the cross breed N>NB4D2 (Table 2). As a whole the study results concluded that filament length could be increased if the worms are fed with the leaves of good moisture and protein content (Table 3). Sarkar et al. (2012) also suggested that when silkworm was fed with tender leaves throughout larval stages and only during late larval stage during November, February and April, it showed high effective rate of rearing and less melting percentage (Table 2). It clearly indicates that there is no relation behind tender leaf feeding and occurrence of grasserie in silkworm larvae. On the other hand tender leaf fed batch showed least percentage of gattine (swalpa) infected larvae in the rearing bed during November, February and April. Tender leaf fed batch also showed least larval duration in 5^th instar (Table 2). This indicates that leaf consumption is comparatively less in tender leaf fed batch. Because during fifth instar silkworm larvae almost consume 80% of total leaves. So, any less in the duration of 5^th instar directly help to curtail the total leaf requirement. This result is supported by the findings of Narayanan, 1967 Basu et al. (1995), Raja Shekhar gouda and Laksmikanth (1998), Vage and Ashoka (2000) and Rahamathulla (2003). It is true that it is not possible to provide huge amount of tender leaves in late instar. But efforts should be taken to irrigate mulberry land frequently to keep maximum moisture in the mulberry leaves. Sarkar et al. (2020) indicates that during dry summer [November- April] shoot with tender leaves will be beneficial for the growth of silkworm (Table 4 and 5). But in West Bengal there is a trend to feed silkworm larvae with shoot by clipping the tender leaves from the shoot. There is a strong belief is working behind the activity. The belief is that tender leaf feeding during late age causes grasserie disease (Sivaprakasham (1996) Basarajappa and Savanurmath (1997) Elumalai et al. (2001)). But the present investigation clearly proved that in dry summer feeding silkworm larvae with tender shoot improved the commercial characteristics of cocoon. Almost 20 % tender leaves are found in a mulberry shoot of 65–70 days. So by providing a mulberry shoot with tender leaves in the latter stages not only help to enrich the commercial characteristics of cocoon but also saves 20% of leaves which have great economic value. It is normal practice at farmers level to feed silkworm with shoot consisted of mature leaves which is inferior in terms of all nutritional characters (Rangswamy et al. (1976), Bongale et al. (1991) and Patil (2002)). But Sarkar et al (2020) clearly indicates that performance of matured shoot fed batch is worst (Table 4 and 5).

Performance of tender, medium and mix shoot fed batch and normal shoot feeding during November to April in late instar was better than conventional leaf feeding suggested that shoot feeding is always beneficial than individual leaf feeding particularly in later stage. He has also suggested that almost double man days are required in individual leaf feeding as compared to shoot fed batch (Table 6). Sarkar, 2020 also reported that If we analyze comparative economics between individual leaf fed batch and shoot fed batch, we can see an around ? (13200-7500) = 5700/ can be saved to rear 100 dfls silkworm in normal shoot feeding as compared to individual leaf feeding in terms of utilization of labour (Table 6). This observation is similar to observation laid by Mathur (1997). He suggested that a total of 27 man days can be saved for 100 DFLs rearing and approximately 54.86% cost on cocoon production can be reduced by adopting shoot feeding method. Sarkar, 2020, Sarkar and Majumdar 2016 also suggested that in case of shoot feeding silkworm larvae crawl on shoot one above another and in this way they can get rid from diseased larvae, litter, waste leaves etc. In this way shoot rearing also helps to maintain hygienic condition in the rearing bed. But Chattopadhyay et al. (2004) suggested that proper concept of shoot rearing is completely absent at farmers level in the three traditional district. So it is important to adopt shoot rearing technique at farmers’ level in West Bengal. For proper conducting of shoot rearing it is important to adopt three tier system of shoot rearing at farmers’ level. Present investigation clearly indicates that shoot rearing is highly advantageous to get good cocoon crop at farmers’ level. So it definitely helps for sustainable development in Sericulture Industry. Sarkar et al. (2012) also suggests Feeding larvae with leaves which were water dipped and dried for entire larval instar and feeding larvae with leaves which were water dipped and dried in late larval instar showed significantly better performance than conventional leaf feeding method in dry season. It clearly suggested that high moisture in leaf significantly improve quantitative character of cocoons (Table 7 and 8). This observation is also similar to the observation laid by Naryanprakash et al. (1985) who reported that assimilated food converted into body tissue and conversion efficiency decreased with decreasing dietary moisture content in mulberry leaves and also shell weight and fibroin content of the cocoons increased with increasing dietary moisture. Paul et al. (1992) also reported that absolute consumption and growth rate per day per larva, the quantity of dry matter consumed and digested, the values of efficiency of conversion of ingested and digested food and final larval weight increased with increasing percentage of leaf water and approximate digestibility increased progressively upto 70% leaf moisture but was reduced at the control dietary water level (76.6% leaf moisture). It was found that when the leaves were water dipped for 15–20 minutes its moisture percentage was increased even upto 2–3%. In West Bengal dry summer is very important in relation to rearing point of view because particularly November and February crop are considered as best crops for silkworm rearing in West Bengal ((Das et al. 1994, 2006; Sarkar et al. 2008, 2012; Sarkar and Majumdar 2016 and 2017). It is due to prevailing of comparatively lower temperature in the environment during that time in West Bengal as we know exposing of high temperature particularly during 4^th and 5^th instars are harmful for silkworm rearing (Ueda et al. 1962; Shirota 1992; Tazima and Ohuma 1995). But due to less rainfall, comparatively low humidity in rearing room as well as in rearing bed are prevailing in November and February crop in West Bengal. To overcome this problem it is important to feed silkworm larvae with profuse amount of tender leaves. Sarkar et al. (2006) and Trivedi et al. (2008) also suggested that due to presence of immature and blunt type of pubescence, tender leaves are more favourable and palatable for silkworm larvae. It is true that it is not possible to provide huge amount of tender leaves particularly in late instar. But efforts should be taken to irrigate mulberry land frequently to keep maximum moisture in the mulberry leaves.

But reverse trend is usually seen in wet summer where feeding silkworm larvae with tender leaves, tender shoots and with water treated leaves in late age become detrimental to silkworm larvae (Table 9–14). Ueda, 1982 indicated that during late instars silkworms started to release water and 50% of released water used in solidification of silk. According to him 4^th and 5^th instar of silkworm larvae considered as stage of water releasing. He also reported during spinning a great amount of water is discharged. Amount of water released during 3 days before the end of silk spinning is 46 liter by 20,000 larvae (7.8 liter for urination, 4.5 liter in the form of fecal matter, 10.7 litre through respiration and 23 liter for silk solidification) so in wet summer where humidity is usually higher in the rearing room, it is important to feed silkworm larvae with medium to mature leaves (Table 9 and 10) which contains comparatively less moisture and it is also necessary to maintain comparatively less humidity in the rearing room and as well as in mounting room. This may also considered as combined effect of nutritional as well as climatic factors (Bhattacharyya et al. 2017; Sarkar et al. 2018). But November to April (dry summer) and June to September (wet summer) performance of mature leaf and mature shoot fed batch was worst (Table 2 & 3, Table 4&5, Table 9 & 10 and Table 11 & 12). Sarkar et al. (2020) suggested that performances of exclusive tender shoot feeding and mature shoot feeding are not beneficial to silkworm larvae in wet summer) which also affects performances of mixed shoot fed batch where tender and mature shoots are given separately (Table 11 & 12). But in case of normal shoot feeding due to presence of all types of leaves i.e., tender, medium and mature provides a balanced diet to silkworm larvae in wet summer and yields better results (Table 11–12). Sarkar et al. 2008; Sarkar et al. 2020 suggested that during wet summer (May to October) it is better to feed silkworm with medium leaf, medium shoot and even feeding silkworm larvae with normal shoot may also helpful for sericultural farmers. But in both in dry summer and wet summer performance of mature leaf and mature shoot fed batch was worst. So matured and over matured garden can be regarded as the worst garden in terms of quality point of view. In wet summer there is always probability of wetting of mulberry leaves due to heavy rain, in this case Sarkar et al. (2008) suggested that to feed silkworm larvae by just shaking the water from surface of the leaves or by drying the leaves for few minutes. He also suggested that during June to September (wet summer) feeding larvae with leaves which were water dipped and dried for entire larval instar and feeding larvae with leaves which were water dipped and dried in late larval instar gave better result than control (Table 13 and 14). It indicates that even in rainy season farmers can provide wet leaves to silkworm by shaking the water from the surface of the leaves. In both dry summer and wet summer feeding larvae with immediately water dipped leaves in early instar gave good result (Table 7 & 8 and Table 13 & 14). This indicated that during early stage feeding of leaves even with water in surface cannot cause any harm to silkworm. Feeding larvae with leaves immediately water dipped for entire larval instar and feeding larvae with immediately water dipped leaves in late larval instar showed inferior results in terms of all commercial characters in both dry summer and wet summer (Table 7 & 8 and Table 13 & 14). Sarkar et al. (2011) suggested that double feeding is highly useful in wet summer. The main reason is that during wet summer in West Bengal comparatively higher humidity is available. So two feeding/day becomes sufficient. It also helps to make rearing tray hygienic. Generation of waste material during latter stages can also be easily handled due to less number of feeding. Besides that due to less entry of persons in the rearing room, chances of contamination also become less. Double feeding is highly economic interms of management of labour and other rearing operations. It also helps to reduce the cost of rearing operations. It is estimated that almost 50% curtle in labour is possible through double feeding method than normal four feeding/day method. He also stated that except larval duration not even a single character varies significantly when silkworm larvae are fed with two feedings instead of four feedings in wet summer (Table 15 & 16). Larval duration is slightly higher in case of double feeding method than other treatments (Table 15 & 16). Sarkar et al. 2008; Sarkar and Moorthy 2012; Sarkar et al. 2018 and 2020 suggested that, it is very difficult to rear silkworm larvae due to prevailing of both high temperature and high humidity in West Bengal during wet summer so this is usually considered as unfavourable season for silkworm rearing in West Bengal. Generally if humidity is increased by 4 %, temperature is decreased by 1degree centigrade but in West Bengal during wet summer both high temperature and high humidity are prevailing which is completely adverse for silkworm rearing (Ueda et al. 1962; Shirota 1992; Tazima and Ohuma 1995). Besides that due to high rainfall, fluctuation of temperature is also happening during this time which is also harmful for silkworm rearing. But in contrast, due to sufficient rainfall luxuriant growth of mulberry leaves is found during wet summer in west Bengal. So, proper feeding technique should be followed to curtail extreme climatic condition upto some extent during wet summer and help the farmers to ensure the proper utilization of mulberry leaves.

But both in dry summer and wet summer whatever the conditions newly hatched larvae should fed with tender leaves. Because Ueda (1982) again reported that newly hatched larvae content only 72% moisture but within II instar water content of the body rises up to more than 80%. So, it is very important to feed chawki worms with very high moisture content mulberry leaves. Only feeding of high moisture content leaves can help chawki worms to raise its body water content from 72% to 80% or above. High moisture in the body help chawki worms to digest the food. Besides that When silkworm larvae may be fed with tender leaves even during late larval stage during dry summer (November, February and April crop). There is no relation behind tender leaf feeding and occurrence of grasserie in silkworm larvae, it may be helpful to feed silkworm larvae with tender leaf in dry summer because it reduced the occurrence of gattine (swalpa) infected larvae in the rearing bed during November, February and April crop which is generally happened due to feeding of dry leaves to silkworm larvae. Tender leaf feeding also reduce the larval duration in 5^th instar. This indicates that leaf consumption is comparatively less in tender leaf fed batch. Because during fifth instar silkworm larvae almost consume 80% of total leaves. So any less in the duration of 5^th instar directly help to curtail the total leaf requirement. This study also revealed that by using tender leaf we can save 20 % of tender leaves in late instar particularly in dry summer which is generally clipped by Sericultural farmers of tropical and subtropical belt of India as well as in West Bengal in late larval instar before providing mulberry shoots to silkworm larvae. Advocating of shoot rearing also saves labour, time, leaf, number of bed cleaning and rearing space in late stage so it definitely helps for sustainable development in Sericulture Industry. Present study also indicates that double feeding is highly useful in wet summer. Double feeding is highly economic in terms of management of labour and other rearing operations. In rainfed Zone where leaf yield of mulberry is comparatively less and comparatively higher spacing is maintained between mulberry plants, (Setua 2006) marginal and sub marginal farmers can advocate the technique of intercropping (growing of two or more crops simultaneously on the same area of land for increasing the returns per unit area of land) to make Sericulture more remunerative. Sarkar et al. (2015) suggested that there is no negative effect of using Amaranthus spp. as intercrop of mulberry on the quality of mulberry leaf. Bioassay indicated that mulberry leaves harvested from the plots where mulberry was grown with Amaranthus spp. did not affect the growth of silkworm larvae and yield of cocoon significantly and it was possible to earn an excess of ? 4700 in one ha of land without affecting the quality of leaves and as well as health of silkworm larvae. The study also indicated that intercropping of mulberry with Cajanus cajan increased the fertility of soil and could generate an income of ₹ 20000/ha/year without affecting the leaf yield and larval health. Varshney (1985), Gurunadaha Rao (1986), Satapathy et al. (1987) also reported that intercropping of mulberry with various leguminous crop not only increase the income but also increase the fertility status of soil as well as nutritional quality of mulberry leaves. November is the best season for crossbreed rearing in West Bengal due to prevailing of comparatively lower temperature in the environment but for crossbreed rearing in November, it is important to prepare seed crop of its bivoltine component in September, but due to climatic disadvantages it is not possible to rear bivoltine seed crop in September in most part of West Bengal, it is the major disadvantages of sericulture in West Bengal (Chattopadhyay and Sarkar 2006 and 2008). So it is important to develop bivoltine seed zone in West Bengal to ensure supply of bivoltine seed cocoon throughout the year. Mulberry leaf is the sole food material of silkworm Bombyx mori L. Though in West Bengal mulberry can be grown throughout the year and soil of West Bengal also favours growth of mulberry but farmers are reluctant to maintain proper planting technique, proper spacing, proper application schedule of manures, fertilizers, water etc (Sarkar et al. 2018). So it is important to improve the quality of mulberry leaves by adopting proper measures. In dry summer when growth of mulberry plant is limited, frequent irrigation is necessary to maintain proper moisture in the mulberry field which ultimately helps to produce profuse quantity of mulberry leaves with high moisture content which are essential for silkworm rearing in dry summer. During wet summer due to sufficient rainfall luxuriant growth of mulberry leaves is found in west Bengal but due to high rainfall, fluctuation of temperature is also happening during this time which is also harmful for silkworm rearing. So, proper feeding technique should be followed during that time to curtail extreme climatic condition upto some extent and help the farmers to ensure the proper utilization of mulberry leaves.