About us

Central Sericultural Germplasm Resources Centre (CSGRC), Hosur is the premier centre under Central Silk Board for conservation and utilization of Seri-biodiversity in the country. The centre is also recognized as a National Active Germplasm Site (NAGS) for mulberry by National Bureau of Plant Genetic Resources (NBPGR), New Delhi and for silkworm by National Bureau of Agricultural Insect Resources (NBAIR), Bangalore.

Biodiversity mapping, collection, characterization and conservation of mulberry and silkworm in different geographical regions of India have been given greater inputs by CSGRC which involves activities including ensuring the representation of maximum diversity in the ex situ collections, pest-free conservation, characterization, evaluation, maintenance of active collections and documentation. Effective utilization of these genetic resources in crop improvement programmes rests mainly on its systematic characterization and evaluation, and identification of potentially useful germplasm high yield, alkaline and saline stress tolerance, water and nitrogen use efficiency. CSGRC has been constantly carrying out research and development to equip serigenetic resources management activities employing both field plantation and biotechnological means of conservation through cryopreservation. Scientific aspects of seri-genetic resources management such as analysis of genetic diversity, genetic integrity, population structure, species relationships, identification of trait specific promising accessions employing traditional and biochemical and molecular markers have also been carried out.

Location
CSGRC is located at Hosur in Tamil Nadu approximately 40 km from Bangalore. Nearest Airport : Bangalore; Nearest Railway Station : Hosur

Geographical location
Altitude : 942 meters above MSL
Latitude : 12^o 45" N
Longitude : 77^o 51" E
Average Maximum Temperature : 27-36^oC
Hottest month : April
Average Minimum Temperature : 9-14^oC
Coldest month : December
Average Annual Rainfall : 800-1000 mm

How to reach CSGRC :

CSGRC situated nearby TVS Nagar, next to State Sericulture Farm, Tamil Nadu on Thally Road just 3.5 KM distance from Hosur Bus Stand and 3 KM from Hosur Railway Station.

Staff Position

Mulberry genetic resources

A total of 1269 mulberry accessions ( Indigenous - 999 and Exotic -270) are conserved in the ex situ field gene bank with recommended cultural practices.

Silkworm Genetic Resources

At present the status of conservation of silkworm genetic resources includes 464 silkworm germplasm consisting 81 multivoltine, 365 bivoltine and 20 mutant genetic stocks representing 14 countries and 18 donor Institutes