The
importance of application of fertilizers and manures for both increased productivity
and improved quality and quantity of mulberry leaves has been well recognized.
It is fully realized that for any increase in leaf yield of mulberry per unit
area of land, the native soil fertility alone cannot be relied upon and
recourse has to be made to the application of fertilizers and manures. Of the
three major elements, viz. nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium, nitrogen is the
most important and vital for increased production of good quality leaves.
Organic
Manures: The common organic manures used for mulberry are farmyard
manure and compost.
Influence
of Fertilizers on Mulberry growth: Nitrogen is a
constituent of protein and therefore a constituent of every living cell.
Nitrogenous
fertilizers: Four major forms of nitrogenous
substances used as manures and fertilizers must be recognized and they are: the
water soluble proteins and other organics, the water insoluble organic non‑protein
substances, the nitrates, and the amoniacals.
Phosphoric
fertilizers: The two types of phosphoric fertilizers
recognized are water soluble forms and cit‑r‑ate soluble forms.
Potassic
fertilizers: The chief commercial potassic
fertilizers are sulphate and chloride forms. For mulberry potassium sulphate
and potassium chloride are generally used.
Balanced
use of fertilizers: Instead of applying each nutrient
separately, compound fertilizers containing NPK and also minor nutrients in
small quantities are being recommended.
Influence
of fertilizers on the quality of leaves:Among the nutrients
in fertilizers, nitrogen has the greatest influence on the quality of mulberry
leaves.
Influence
on the leaf yield: Among the three major nutrients,
nitrogen has a profound influence on the total yield of mulberry leaves.
Dosage
of fertilizers and manures: Quantity of manures and
fertilizers depends upon the soil type, removal of plantation, rainfall
distribution pattern, spacing, pruning and harvesting methods and also seasonal
conditions.
Time
of application of fertilizers:
In
temperate climates like in Japan and Russia, bulky organic manures which
decompose and release nitrogen slowly, are applied during the winter, when the
mulberry plants are in dormant stage.
Method
of application: The two general methods of applying
manures and fertilizers are broadcasting over the surface of the field and
mixing it with the soil or localized placement.
Importance
of liming: The main purposes of applying lime to
soil are to neutralize soil acidity and to improve the physical properties of
the soil.
Reclaiming
alkaline soils: Gypsum is applied in alkaline and
saline soils as soil amelioration. The quantity of gypsum required per hectare
of such soil is estimated on the pH level and the sodium salts present.
Micronutrients:
In addition to the essential nutrients mentioned above, micronutrients like
magnesium, boron, iron, manganese, copper, zinc and Sulphur
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