Sericulture Science

Dr. G. Subramanya
Designation Chairman
Email Id subramanyag2000@yahoo.co.in
Phone No +91-821-2410589, 2419712,

Brief History of Department:

The Department started as World Bank Aided Sericulture Project in the Department of Studies in Zoology in 1979 with a mandate to start sericulture as teaching and research programme. A Post – Graduate Diploma in Sericulture and Ph.D. programmes existed as early as 1980, in addition to having a two year Masters Degree course in Sericulture initiated during the academic year 1988-89. The infrastructural facilities in the Department were further improved by the financial assistance from the Central Silk Board (CSB) under National Sericulture Project in 1991. The project work culminated in rich collection of exotic and indigenous stocks of silkworm races / breeds. The races / breeds are scientifically maintained in the department by cataloguing them as bivoltines, multivoltines, genetic markers and mutants.

The course Sericulture was changed to Sericulture and Seri-biotechnology w.e.f. 2008-09 by appropriately updating the curriculum. During late 90s, apart from Silkworm Breeding and Genetics, research in Mulberry Cytogenetics and Breeding, Silkworm Physiology and Pest Management was also taken up.

Departmental research activities

  • Silkworm Breeding and Genetics
  • Silkworm Genomics and Proteomics
  • Silkworm Physiology and Biochemistry Nutrition
  • Silkworm Nutrition and Biochemistry
  • Biochemical Genetics and Computer Applications
  • Mulberry Production and Silkworm Rearing Management
  • Mulberry and Silkworm Pest Management
  • Plant Cytogenetics; Mulberry Breeding and Cultivation

Status of the Department (FIST/SAP/DRS)

Sl. No. Status Phase Thrust Area
1. FIST
 Level - 1 Seri Bio-Technology

Chairs/Fellowship/Medals (if any)

  • Swan Silk Gold Medal
  • Swan Silk Cash Prize
  • Chickmagalur Chowdegowda Alias Puttaswamy Gowda Memorial Gold Medal

Best Practices (if any)

  • Regular student - teacher interaction in the academic activities and Conduct of Students Seminars.
  • Direct involvement of students in the scientific method of silkworm rearing and mulberry cultivation.
  • Providing opportunities to the students of M.Sc. to visit various research institutes related to the subject.
  • Transfer of knowledge on various aspects of Sericulture to farmers’ community through consultations.
  • Demonstrating practical aspects of sericulture to the school and college students.
  • Providing opportunities to the research scholars of other universities to learn maintenance of silkworm stocks.
  • Inviting experts to deliver lectures on sericulture and related fields.
  • Inviting experts to deliver lectures on sericulture and related fields.
  • Providing consultancy services to the farming community on field related problems of sericulture industry.

Awards/Honors received by individual Teachers

Sl. No. Name Name of the Award When Awarded Awarding Agency/Institution
1. Prof. G. Subramanya Commonwealth Academic Fellowship October 2006 to April 2007 United Kingdom
INSA – Royal Society Fellowship October 2008 to December 2008 United Kingdom
2. Prof. H.B. Manjunatha Commonwealth Fellowship
INSA – ASCR
January 2008 to March 2008. Czech Republic
3. DR. B. Sannappa Young Scientist 2003 Society for Eco-Sustainable Development, Lucknow

Individual teachers on-going research projects

Sl.No. Name Research Project Title Funding Agency Amount sanctioned (Rs.) Date of commencement Expected date of completion
1. Prof. H.B. Manjunatha  "Proteome Analysis of heat shock proteins in domesticated Silkworm, Bombyx Mori" UGC, New Delhi  11,01,800/-  01-02-2010  31-01-2013
2. Prof. G. Subramanya Genetical and Molecular Approach for the Evolution of Sex Limited Breeds of the Silkworm, Bombyx mori UGC, New Delhi 10,32,800/- 01-02-2009 31-01-2012

Other Information

The department has well equipped for conducting teaching and research in frontier areas of Sericulture Biotechnology and the curriculum is prepared to train the students not only in the field of sericulture but also to take up entrepreneurship in pharmaceutical industries and also the various aspects of sericulture viz., Kissan nursery, Vermicomposting, Silkworm egg production, Chawki rearing centres and Silk reeling establishments.