Bioresources of Assam

Q1. What is ethnobotany?

Ans: Ethnobotany deals with the relationship between plants and primitive people. It is
concerned with the medical, religious uses of plants through the traditional knowledge of a local
people.
Q2. Write a note on the plant resources of Assam.
Ans: Assam belongs to North East India and is one of the richest centers of biodiversity. It
falls in the Indo-Malayan biodiversity hotspot. The forests of Assam are abundant in
innumerable varieties of plants species, which include, timber plants, bamboo cane, medicinal
plants, and essential oil containing plants, gum and resin yielding plants.
Forests of Assam are also rich in orchids. Assam is also known for the origin of many
varieties of plants in use. Rice, bamboo, banana, cane, citrus, orchid, ginger, etc. originated in
Assam. There are 8000 varieties of rice found in wild state. There are 63 varieties of bamboos,
10 varieties of citrus, 300 varieties of orchids, 66 aromatic plant varieties and a large variety of
bananas found in this region. Assam along with North East accounts for 50% of the total plant
biodiversity of India.
Q3. Write the scientific names and their families of three important timber yielding plants
of Assam with their uses.
Ans: 1. scientific name of cinchona is Cinchona officinalis
Uses: The bark obtained from the plant contains quinine which is useful in treating malaria.
2. Scientific name of neem is Azadirachta indica
Uses: Neem is used as mosquito and insect repellant and therefore used while storing rice. It is
also used as medicine in ayurveda and siddha due to its antibacterial, antifungal and sedative
purpose.
3. Scientific name of Rauwolfia is Rauvolfia tetraphylla
Uses: An alkaloid called reserpine is obtained from rauwolfia and is used as anti hypersensitive
drug which is used in ayurveda and unani as a medicine.
Q4. Write botanical & common name of three timber yielding plants of Assam.
Ans: The botanical and common names of 3 timber yielding plants of Assam are
Botanical name Common name
 Shorea robusta Sal
 Tectona grandis Teak
 Dalbergia sissoo Sissoo
 Gmelina arborea Gamhar
Q5. State the uses of (a) Rauwolfia, (b) Ipecac, (c) Cinchona. Mention their botanical
name?
Ans: A. The plant Rauwolfia commonly known as ‘sarpagandha’ had been used as drug since
ancient times. It roots were used as antidote for snake bite. It was used against various other
diseases like fever, dysentery, intestinal pain, cholera, opacity of cornea. The alkaloid ‘reserpine’
isolated from the plant is used against high blood pressure, insomnia, schizophrenia, nervous
breakdown and hypertension. The decoction of root is used to increase uterine contraction in
labours. Botanical name of the plant is Rauwolfia serpentina Benth.
B. The alkaloid ‘emetine’ obtained from the root of Ipecac is used for treatment of amoebic
dysentery. It stimulates the liver and lowers blood pressure.
Botanical name of the plant is Cephaelis ipecacuanha .
C. Quinine, an alkaloid obtained from the bark of the Cinchona plant is one of the most
important drugs known and it is the only adequate medicine for treatment of malaria. Quinine is
also used as tonic and antiseptic. The other alkaloids obtained from the plant (quinidine,
cinchonine and cinchonidine) are also used as medicine.
Botanical name of the plant is Cinchona officinalis.
Q6. What is sericulture? What are the different types of silk producing insects found in
Assam?
Ans: Sericulture is the rearing of silk worms that produces the silk based on the quality of the
silk and types of host plants, the silk moths can be classified into two different groups,
(a) Mulberry silk worm: The larvae of this moth mainly take the leaves of mulberry plants and
the silk produced by them is known as mulberry silk. Bombyx mori is an important species of
this group.
(b) Non-mulberry silk worms: The other silk producing moths are together known as non-
mulberry silk moth. The important species of this type are
(i) Muga silk worm- Antheraea assama.
(ii) Eri silk worm- Philosomia ricini.
(iii) Tassar silk worm- Antheraea paphia.
Q7. How can you distinguish a muga cocoon from an eri cocoon ?
Ans:
Eri cocoon
• The cocoons are hanged from the twig by a peduncle.
• The cocoons are formed on the upper portion of the plant.
• The cocoon has an open end through which the moth comes out.
• The eri-cocoon has to be spinned instead of reeling as it is an open mouthed cocoon.
Muga cocoon
• The cocoons are formed in between two dry leaves. The cocoon has a small peduncle.
• The fully grown larvae descend to the base of the tree to form the cocoon.
• The chrysalid secretes an alkaline solution which dissolves the cocoon shell to form an aperture
for the moth to emerge.
• The cocoons selected for spinning are kept over low fire for killing the chrysalid present inside
the cocoon.
Q8. How the muga cocoons are spinned?
Ans: The cocoon selected for spinning are treated over low fire for a reasonable period and then
kept in sunlight for about 2-3 days. Then the cocoons are boiled in an alkaline solution made of
certain leaves and straw for about 15 to 30 minutes to remove the glue of the cocoon and to make
the silk filament weak. The reeling of the muga cocoon is carried by keeping the cocoon in
lukewarm water in a basin. The spinning is done by muga reeling apparatus namely ‘bhir’,
‘muga pedaling bhir’, etc.
Q9. Describe the life history of muga silk worm that you have studied?
Ans: The life cycle of muga silk worm consists of four stages, namely, (a) Egg (b) Larva (c)
Pupa covered but cocoon & (d) Moth.
A moth needs 48-52 days in summer and 145-150 days in winter to complete the life cycle. The
muga worm is a multivoltine species and it breeds 4-5 broods in a year.
(a) Egg- A female moth after mating lays about 250 eggs. Deposition of eggs may continue for
three to four days. The eggs are oval shaped with a hard chitinous shell. The eggs are provided
with a brown glue which help these to stick to the surface.
(b) Larva- In normal temperature and humidity, the eggs hatch within 9 or 10 days. Normally
hatching takes place at dawn. The newly hatched larva possesses black and yellow stripes
alternately. In successive moulting it changes its colour and becomes bigger in size. The full
grown larva is green in colour but the colour of the head is brown. Soon after hatching the larva
disperses in search of food. The larva complete their level all stage within one to three months.
The larvae moults four times and so there are five stages in the larval development. The silk
glands are situated at the anterior part of the body. It is a large gland, tubular in appearance and
occupies two-third of the body. When the larva gets matured, it wonders aimlessly and prepares
itself to form the cocoon.
(c) Pupa- The full frown larvae descend to the base of the tree, ceases to feed and excretes a
fluid accompanied by excreta. It then moves aimlessly to find a suitable apace for spinning the
cocoon. The larva forms the cocoon in between two dry leaves. The cocoon formation is
completed in three or four days and the larva is completely covered by the cocoon. The cocoon
has a small peduncle. After the completion of the cocoon, the larva transforms into pupa which is
brown in colour. The duration of the pupal stage varies in different seasons.
(d) Moth- After about two or four weeks, the chrysalid emerges as moth normally during the
dusk. The head of the chrysalid secretes on alkaline solution which dissolves the cocoon shell
and the moth emerges through this aperture. The emerged soon after emergence, the body of the
moths are hardened and wings are expanded (the colour of the wing of male moth is deep brown
while it is light coloured in female). The male moth is active flier and it searches the passive
female for mating. The mating generally starts from night fall and continues till next day and
unpairs in the next evening. After mating the moths remain inactive for a day. After unpairing
the female moth lays about 250 eggs for 3-4 days.
Q10. Describe the life history of eri silk worm that you have studied.
Ans: The life cycle of eri silk worm (Philosomia ricini) is completed through four stages:
(a) Eggs (b) Larva (c) Pupa in cocoon & (d) Adult moth.
The cycle is completed in 44-48 days in summer and takes about 85-87 days in winter.
(a) Eggs: The eggs are oval shaped with medium size and are covered by a hard chitinous white
or creamy coloured shell. A female moth after copulation lays about 300-500 eggs in cluster
which may continue for 3-4 days. The hatching of eggs takes place after about 10 days but it
depends on the temperature of the environment.
(b) Larva: After hatching the larvae tend to remain together. It is about one centimeter in length
and grown to 8 centimeter when mature. The newly hatched larva possesses a black coloured
head and the body becomes yellow in colour but gradually changes to green yellow. The larva
matures in 17 to 45 days which depends on the environmental temperature and humidity. On
moulting, the integument of the head breaks on the sides and the larva comes out with a new
integument. The larva possesses long tubular silk glands which are responsible for production of
silk. The silk gland secretes the silky substances to form the cocoon where the larva transforms
into a chrysalid.
(c) Pupa: The larva of last instar before moulting ceases feeding and transform into a chrysalid.
The larva excretes silky substance after settling in a crevice and spins the cocoon, which is
completed in 3-4 days. Inside the cocoon, the larva transforms itself into a brown coloured
chrysalid. The essential organs of the moth are then formed and the body is covered by a hard
integument. Diapause may occur in this stage. The colour of the chrysalid turns black before the
emergence of the moth.
(d) Moth: The moth emerges from the chrysalid form after about 2 week. The moth comes out
through the open end of the cocoon normally in morning houses. After sometime they fully
stretch their wings. The body of the male moth measures 2.5cm while that of female is 3cm.
After stretching the wings, the male finds out the female for mating which lasts about 24 hours.
During mating, the moth remains motionless. The male unpairs in next evening and after this the
female lays the eggs, normally during the night.
Q11. How the eri-silk thread is spinned from the cocoon?
Ans: The eri-cocoon has to be spinned instead of reeling as it is an open mouthed cocoon. The
moth emerges from the cocoon through the open mouth without disturbing the cocoon and its
fibre. For spinning, cocoon are first cleaned off the pupal and moulted skin, otherwise it will
spoil the quality of the eri thread. The cocoons are then boiled in alkaline solution made
traditionally from ashes of certain leaves or straw for 2-3 hours. Soda and potash solution are
used commercially. Boiling is done for removing the gum like substances from the cocoon. After
boiling the cocoons are wrapped in a green leaf for 3-4 days. These are then washed with
sufficient amount of water and dried. The well dried cocoons can be preserved for a long time for
spinning.
Q12. What are the host plants of eri-silk worm?
Ans: Eri worm is polyphagus and feeds on leaves of a variety of plants. Castor plants are the
most important host plant of Eri. Between two varieties of castor plant, seed is preferred to
green. Besides, the leaves of Kesseru, Tapioca, Gomari, Payan, Gulancha, etc. are also used
in eri-culture.
Q13. How many instars are found in the larval development of eri silkworm?
Ans: Five instars are found in the larval development of eri silk worm.
Q14. Why the eri cocoons are spinned instead of reeling ?
Ans: The eri cocoons are spinned instead of reeling because they are open mouthed worm. The
moth emerges from the cocoon through the open mouth without disturbing the cocoon and its
fibers.
Q15. Name the important diseases of silk worm. Write the symptoms of the diseases and
also mention the control and preventive measures.
Ans: Two important diseases of eri silk worms are
(i) Flacherie locally known as ‘mukhlaga’.
(ii) Pebrine locally known as ‘phutukia’.
(iii) Grasserie locally known as ‘Phula rog’.
(iv) Muscardine.
Q16. Name some pests of eri silk worm.
Ans: The important pest of eri silk worm is ‘Tachind’ fly. Some other pests are ants, wasps,
hornets, cockroaches, lizards and rats.
Q17. Why muga silk is known as “queen of silk”?
Ans: Commercially the muga silk is more costly and also the colour of the thread is golden
yellow which is unique to the species. So muga silk is known as “queen of silk”
Q18. What are the different host plants of muga silk worm?
Ans: Muga silk worm is a polyphagus species and feeds on variety of plants. The most common
host plants are ‘som’ and ‘sualu’. The secondary host plants are ‘Mijankari’, ‘Digloti’, ‘Bagri’
and ‘Bajramani’.
Q19. Name the different stages found in life history of muga?
Ans: The life cycle of muga silk worm consists of four stages namely
(i) eggs (koni)
(ii) larva (polu)
(iii) pupa covered by cocoon (leta) and
(iv) moth or adult (chakari).