Mulberry forms
the basic food material for silkworms and the bulk of the silk goods produced
in the world are from mulberry silkworms.
Production of
mulberry leaves on scientific lines is essential for organizing Sericulture on
sound economic lines. It is estimated that one metric ton of mulberry leaves is
necessary for the rearing of silkworms emerging from out of one ounce of eggs,
which will yield about 25 to 30 kg of cocoons of international standard. The
cost of leaves works out to about 60 percent of the total cost of production of
silk. The bulk of the leaves are required at the final stage of growth of the
silkworm. One hectare of fertile land can produce about 15 to 40 tons of
mulberry leaves over a twelve month period.
Morus is the
Latin word for mulberry (French: muries, Italian: gelso, Japanese: lewwa).
Mulberry plant is exploited in different ways for commercial production of
silk, as mulberry is the chief food for Bombyx mori. Mulberry leaf protein is
the source for the silkworm to bio‑synthesize the silk which is made up of two
proteins, fibroin and sericin. Nearly 70 percent of the silk proteins produced
by a silkworm are directly derived from the proteins of the mulberry leaves use
of machines for cultural practices and for harvesting of leaves have helped to
reduce of mulberry leaf.
Irrigation is
an influencing factor on the growth of mulberry leaves. It is observed that
irrigation, coupled with fertilizer application, can increase the production of
mulberry leaf seven to eight times, over dry farming conditions in the tropical
regions.
The soils
grown to mulberry are mostly alluvial and volcanic types. Mulberry being highly
responsive to fertilizer applications.
As in the
other crops, mulberry is also not free from pests and diseases. In order to
check the pests and diseases, use of insecticides harmless to the silkworm has
been suggested.
Origin: Mulberry is
believed to be a native either of India
or China and it is believed
to have originated on the lower slopes of the Himalayas .
Towards the year 2800 B.C. Chin‑Nong, one of the successors of Empheras Fo‑Hi
taught cultivation of mulberry in China province
of Chang‑tong
Rainfall: Mulberry can
be grown in a rainfall range of 635 mm to 2 500 mm. Under low rainfall
conditions, supplemental irrigation is necessary.
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