The
method of harvest of mulberry leaves depends on the rearing practice in vogue
in the locality or nation. The leaves are fed as a whole or as bits and in some
cases the entire shoot or branch is used for feeding the worms.
Leaf
picking: In this method the leaves are picked individually from the
plant. After the leaves are harvested from the main stem, the terminal bud is
removed and the axillary buds on the main stem allowed developing.
Branch
cutting: In this method the entire branch with leaves is cut and fed
to the worms after the third molt.
Whole
shoot harvest: The branches are cut close to the
ground level and the top is fed to the worms settled for fourth molt. Thus
topping helps uniform maturity of the leaf left over on the plant. The effect
of top clipping is that the energy which would otherwise go to the formation of
new leaves is redirected to the leaves left behind on the plant, making them
more uniformly mature. The shoots are generally harvested at an interval of 10‑12
weeks, obtaining four to five harvests in a year. This method is suitable where
the sprouting takes place all the year round.
Time
of harvest: The quality of leaves is affected to
some extent by the quickness in withering. Therefore the harvesting time in a
day influences the length of time for which leaves can remain quality feed.
Preservation
of leaves: The fresh mulberry leaves are more
palatable and nutritious to the silkworms.
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