Cultivation of Mulberry

Moriculture*Cultivation and harvesting of mulberry plants is called

Moriculture

*Mulberry species grown in temperate, tropical and subtropical regions of the world.

*The leaves of mulberry form the specific food for the silkworm, Bombyx mori L.

Selection of Mulberry Variety:

*Over than 20 Sp. Of mulberry

*Four species are more useful- Morus alba, M. serrata, M. indica and M. latifolia.

*Central Silk Board: (Developed high yielding variety) Kanva-2, S-30 and S- 54 (suited for Karnataka, A.P. &Tamil-Nadu

State) S-162, S-519, S-633 (suited for Punjab, J&K, U.P. and W. Bengal

State)

Propagation:*Mulberry is propagated either through- seeds or vegetatively.

Climate:*Mulberry can grow under temperate and tropical

condition.

a)Atmospheric Temperature:Mulberry required temperature ranging from 24°C to

37°C.In temperate region- Mulberry cultivated during May to

Oct.In tropic region- Mulberry cultivated throughout year.

b) Rainfall:Mulberry can be grown in places with rainfall ranging

from 600 mm to 2500 mm.

c) Atmospheric Humidity:The ideal humidity for mulberry leaf yielding is

ranging in between 65 to 80 percent.

d) Sunshine:In temperate countries, mulberry grows with a

sunshine range of 5 to 10 hrs a day.In tropic countries, mulberry grows with a sunshine

range 9 to 13 hrs a day.

e) Elevation:In Japan- 22m to 1735m MSL.In U.S.S.R. – 400m to 2000m MSL.In India- 300m to 700m MSL.

Soil:*Soil supply….

1. The essential major and minor plant nutrients.2. Oxygen for root respiration.3. Mechanical support or anchorage.4. Soil as a storehouse of water.

Soil pH ranging from 6.5 to 7.0.

*Planting: a) Location and Topography:

Mulberry plantation should be cultivated near the rearing house.It is easy to transport and immediate use of leaves for feeding because after harvesting mulberry leaves loss moisture. b) Preparation of the Land:When once land is selected for cultivation, the field has to be levelled and the fertility level improved.Levelling of the land depends upon topography.After levelling deep ploughing is required to remove the weeds and the soil has to be made into a fine tilth before the pits are prepared for planting.

*Planting Season:Early spring and late autumn seasons are best suitable for muberry plantations.

Planting in winter and summer should be avoided.Planting should not be delayed in spring, if delayed the sprouted buds fall off and the plants do not grow well.

In India, Planting season varies in different parts.In Karnataka: Mulberry planted July- August In West-Bengal, cutting planted during November (late autumn)

*Direction of Planting:

In temperate regions, the direction of the rows of planting depends upon the light intensity and wind direction.

The mulberry seedling planted in rows either in North-South and East-West direction.

In tropic regions, Mulberry rows can be planted in any direction.

*Planting Distance:The planting distance depends upon, the agroclimatic

conditions (sunshine, temperature etc), Soil fertility level.

Spacing for mulberry cultivation in India:

The gengeral pattern under rainfall condition is known as ‘Pit System’ of cultivation.Pattern under irrigation the row planting is known as ‘Kolar System’.

Spacing between rows

Spacing between plants

1. Pit System(rainfall mulberry)

0.9 to 0.75 m 0.9 to 0.45 m

2. Row System(irrigated)

0.45 to 0.60 m 0.45 to 0.60 m

Selection of Planting Material:

*Planting Method:*Three methods of planting have practiced in india.

1. Planting cutting directly in the field.

2. Raising saplings in the nursery and planting in the fields.

3. Raising saplings in the plastic bags and transplanting.

Nursury:

Manuring:Application of Mauring-

*Increase water retention capacity.* Improves the texture of soil

helping in good rooting.*Increases microbial population.*Supplies micro-nutrients in

addition to macro-nutrients.

Organic manures are used-Neem cake, ground nut cake

and compost.

Interculture:This is done to control weeds

and simultaneously make the soil porous so as to allow water to soak deep in the soil and to ensure better aeration and nitrification.

First weeding is required 30 days after planting.

Intercultivation should be done atleast 3-4 times a year.

Water Management/ Irrigation:a) Furrow method:

b) Flat bed method:

c) Basin method:

d) Overhead or sprinkler:

Prunning:*Pruning is a judicious removal

of undesirable branches of mulberry plant.

*To give the plant a proper shape and size.*To improve the leaf yeild. *To improve the quality of

leaves.*To facilitate easy leaf harvest

and intercultivation.

Quality of Leaves:

Leaf which is dark green, turgid, soft, thick with good moisture content and high percentage of protein.

Such quality of leaves will yield better silk.

Harvesting of Mulberry

Harvesting method or collecting method of mulberry leaves can be broadly classified into three types.

* Branch Cutting Method:

*Leaf Cutting method:

*Bud Plucking Method:

*Advantages of shoot harvest method:

*The leaves remain fresh on branches.*The labour is reduced to the extent of 50%.*For every kg of cocoon producing there is a saving of 2-3 kg of mulberry leaves.*Production of better quality and quantity cocoons in ensured.*Production of more organic manure.

*Disadvantages:

*For silkworms rearing, 30% more space is required.

*Every time the silkworms are reared, there will be prunning. Hence, material for replanting will not be available.

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