MULBERRY CULTIVATION (CONT...7) - MORICULTURE

Climate: Mulberry can be grown under various climatic conditions ranging from temperate tropical

Atmospheric temperature: An atmospheric temperature, ranging from 24⁰C to 28⁰C is found to be optimum for good growth of mulberry. Growth and sprouting of buds cannot be obtained at temperatures below 13⁰C and above 38⁰C.

Rainfall: Mulberry can be grown in places with a rainfall range of about 600 mm to 2 500 mm. under low rainfall conditions, the growth is limited due to moisture shortage resulting in low yields. More than the total precipitation, rainfall distribution is important. On an average 50 mm once in ten days is considered ideal for mulberry.

Atmospheric humidity: Humidity range of 65 to 80 percent is considered ideal for its growth. Under rained conditions, due to higher moisture in soil and high atmospheric humidity, the quality of leaf produced during the rainy season is better than the leaf produced during other seasons.

Sunshine: Sunshine is also one of the factors controlling the growth of mulberry. In the Temperate countries, mulberry grows with a sunshine range of 5.0 to 10.2 hours a day while in the tropics; it grows well with a sunshine range of 9.0 to 13.0 hours a day.

Elevation: Mulberry cultivation is practiced at altitudes from 22 m to 1 735 m above MSL, while in the U.S.S.R., it is practiced 400 to 2000 m.

Soils: Soils of mulberry field have to maintain the mulberry plants for sustained maximum productivity of quality leaves. The soil should be deep, fertile, well drained, and clayey loam to loam in texture.

Planting:

Location and Topography:  Mulberry plantation should desirably be established close to the rearing house for quick transport and immediate use of the leaves for feeding.

Environmental factors: Growth of mulberry and the quality of its leaves are often affected by various environmental factors; the neighboring woods, buildings, factories, tobacco fields, orchards etc., greatly influence the quality of the leaves produced.

Preparation of land: After selection of land for mulberry cultivation, it is necessary to prepare the land in the proper manner. The field is to be leveled and the fertility level improved

Planting season: For proper establishment of mulberry plantations, early spring and late autumn seasons are best suited. Planting in winter and summer seasons are to be avoided.

Direction of planting: In temperate regions the direction of the rows of planting is important. Depending upon the light intensity (sunshine hours) and wind direction mulberry seedlings are to be planted in rows either in north south or east‑west directions, making the rows parallel to the direction of wind.

Planting distance: The planting distance depends upon the agro‑climatic conditions (sunshine, precipitation, temperature, etc.) soil fertility level, intensity of cultivation practices adopted including the training and harvesting methods and also the variety of mulberry planted.

Planting material: There are various methods of propagating mulberry plants. Generally, plant is raised either from the seed or through vegetative propagation from stem cuttings or layering and grafts.

Removal of the planting material from the nursery: Saplings are raised in the nursery well ah of planting. Well grown one to two year old saplings are removed from the nursery, care being taken not to damage the roots or the main stem.

Planting method: After preparation of land, pits of a standard size of 40 cm width, 40to 50 cm depth are made. Where inter plant distance is over 1.2 m, trenches of 45cm x 45 cm are opened in the planting row.

Inter cultivation: The main object of inter cultivation is to remove the weeds and loosen the soil so as to allow the rain water to soak deep into the soil and for better aeration and nitrification.

Mulching: Mulching is covering the soil in between the row space with some protec­tive material. It helps in conserving moisture, keeps the soil loose and friable, protects the plants from winter injury, and keeps down the weeds.