Information Package / Course Catalogue
Sericulture
Course Code: ZT421
Course Type: Non Departmental Elective
Couse Group: First Cycle (Bachelor's Degree)
Education Language: Turkish
Work Placement: N/A
Theory: 2
Prt.: 0
Credit: 2
Lab: 0
ECTS: 3
Objectives of the Course

The aim of the course is to provide students with fundamental knowledge about silkworm biology, rearing techniques, feeding and care practices, cocoon production and processing, and to help them understand the importance of sericulture in terms of agricultural production, rural development, and sustainable animal production.

Course Content

The course covers the historical development of sericulture, its current status and importance in the world and in Turkey, the biology and life cycle of the silkworm, the characteristics of the egg, larva, pupa and adult stages, the care and feeding of larvae according to their age stages, the basic principles of silkworm cultivation, silkworm rearing conditions, the effects of environmental factors on cultivation, methods of disease and pest control, cocoon spinning and cocoon harvesting, factors affecting cocoon quality, raw silk production, the rearing and care techniques that should be applied for the production of high-quality silk, and the place of sericulture in economic and sustainable agricultural production.

Name of Lecturer(s)
Learning Outcomes
1.To be able to identify silkworm races reared in different regions of the world and explain their main characteristics.
2.To be able to explain the major morphological and physiological characteristics of the silkworm.
3.To be able to explain silkworm rearing techniques and evaluate rearing practices.
4.To be able to explain the physical and chemical properties of silkworm cocoons and raw silk, and describe the areas of silk utilization.
5.To be able to identify silkworm diseases and pests and explain the basic control methods.
Recommended or Required Reading
1.Şahan, Ü. 2011. Sericulture (Silkworm Breeding and Improvement, Cocoon Production, Raw Silk, Egg Production, Diseases and Mulberry Cultivation. Dora Publications, Bursa, ISBN: 978-605-4118.
2.Sh. S.D. Pateriya, Introduction to Sericulture. https://www.ignfa.gov.in/document/biodiversity-cell-ntfp-related-issues4.pdf
3.Mehmet Ağırgan, A. Özgür Ağırgan, Mehtap Ağırgan (2017). Silk and Sericulture in Thrace from the Ottoman Empire to the Present
Weekly Detailed Course Contents
Week 1 - Theoretical
Historical Development of Sericulture
Week 2 - Theoretical
Production, consumption, and economic importance of sericulture in Türkiye and the world
Week 3 - Theoretical
Morphological and physiological characteristics of the silkworm
Week 4 - Theoretical
Silkworm rearing and genetics
Week 5 - Theoretical
Incubation and hatching of silkworm eggs
Week 6 - Theoretical
Management and feeding of silkworm larvae (first three instars)
Week 7 - Theoretical
Management and feeding of silkworm larvae (last two instars)
Week 8 - Theoretical
Major factors affecting silkworm rearing
Week 9 - Theoretical
Silkworm breeding
Week 10 - Theoretical
Factors affecting silkworm development and cocoon yield
Week 11 - Theoretical
Mounting and cocoon harvesting
Week 12 - Theoretical
Polyhybrid and breeding egg production
Week 13 - Theoretical
Raw silk and its utilization
Week 14 - Theoretical
Diseases and pests of silkworms, and mulberry cultivation
Assessment Methods and Criteria
Type of AssessmentCountPercent
Assignment1%5
Quiz1%5
Midterm Examination1%30
Final Examination1%60
Workload Calculation
ActivitiesCountPreparationTimeTotal Work Load (hours)
Lecture - Theory141242
Assignment1314
Midterm Examination114115
Final Examination114115
TOTAL WORKLOAD (hours)76
Contribution of Learning Outcomes to Programme Outcomes
PÇ-1
PÇ-2
PÇ-3
PÇ-4
PÇ-5
PÇ-6
PÇ-7
PÇ-8
PÇ-9
PÇ-10
PÇ-11
OÇ-1
5
OÇ-2
5
OÇ-3
5
OÇ-4
5
OÇ-5
5
Adnan Menderes University - Information Package / Course Catalogue
2026