Recent trends in Seri-bioscience: Its prospects in modern sericulture
Prety Rekha Narzary, Apurba Kumar Das, Mihir Saikia, Rajendra Kumar Verma, S Sharma, PK Kaman, RC Boro, Sreebrata Goswami, D M Mahesh, Bryan Linggi, Amlanjyoti Rajkhowa, JP Baruah
Abstract
The recent advances in the various spheres of bioscience viz., seri-biotechnology, bio-nanotechnology, crop protection, etc., have revolutionized research in sericultural science at the world level. However, India is yet to reap the benefits of seri-bioscience to bring out products in the form of technology as the same is still in infant stage in spite of making sincere but compartmentalized attempts. In view of this status, we have to consolidate our focus on developing technologies targeted at improvement of silkworm and host plants. Significant seasonal variations occur in the nutritional value and composition of host plant depending on factors such as weather, pests and diseases and agricultural practices which in turn have a great impact on growth and development of silkworm. Lower animals do not have well developed humoral immunity and under such circumstances vaccine development may not be of much use and in these lower animals and factors that achieve immune-stimulation could be very useful for disease resistance. Promoting the establishment of silkworm models in scientific studies will provide new solutions and new insights into traditional views of problem-solving and greatly benefit science as well as the society. The present article is an overview on the status of work conducted on seri-bioscience, future approaches and the road ahead.