PERFORMANCE OF LAC INSECT, KERRIA LACCA KERR IN CONVENTIONAL AND NON-CONVENTIONAL CULTIVATION AROUND SIMILIPAL BIOSPHERE RESERVE, ODISHA, INDIA

Abstract

Lac is the only resin of animal origin that is the secretion of a tiny scale insect, Kerria lacca Kerr. It thrives on the tender shoots of its host plants, like Palas (Butea monosperma) and Kusum (Schleichera oleosa). These primary host plants are plently available in different zones (buffer and peripheral) of the Similipal Biosphere Reserve (SBR) where people (mostly tribals) are cultivating lac in a conventional way. A comparison between non- conventional (scientific) and conventional (tradional) methods of lac cultivation at SBR shows 25-35% more resin production in former method. The resin production is also more in its two strains (Kusmi on Kusum and Rangeeni on Palas) in buffer zone than that of the peripheral zone. Further, the result shows that resin production is greater in Kusmi strain compared to Rangeeni strain.