What all factors are important to obtain best quality of silk?
Answers
The following steps are needed during silkworm rearing and mounting to get a better quality of cocoons with higher silk content, longer filament, better reelability and lower percentage of defective cocoons:
Temperature needs to be maintained close to 25 degrees centigrade and relative humidity around 65 % for silkworms to spin good quality cocoons with higher reelability.
Mounting devices with rotary mounting frames provide good ventilation resulting in improved reelability of cocoons.
Harvesting of cocoons should be done only after complete pupation which would be 4 to 7 days after mounting depending on climate.
It is advisable to avoid carrying cocoons over long distances but if it has to be done, then steps should be taken to preserve silk reelability. It is best to use 15 kg capacity PVC containers and use shock absorbers such as sponge to avoid damage over long distance travel. To minimise the risk of heat deterioration, shipping should take place during the night or early morning. Fresh cocoons should ideally arrive at the stifling unit within 2 to 3 days after harvest.