2. 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.
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3. SELECTION OF MULBERRY VARIETY:
*Over than 20 Sp. Of mulberry
*Four species are more usefulMorus 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)
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4. Propagation:
*Mulberry is propagated either through- seeds or
vegetativly.
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.
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5. 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.
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6. *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.
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7. 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.
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8. 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)
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9. * 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.
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10. The planting distance depends upon, the agroclimatic
conditions (sunshine, temperature etc), Soil fertility level.
Spacing for mulberry cultivation in India:
Spacing between rows Spacing between
plants
1. Pit System 0.9 to 0.75 m 0.9 to 0.45
m
(rainfall mulberry)
2. Row System 0.45 to 0.60 m 0.45 to 0.60
m
(irrigated)
The general pattern under rainfall condition is known as ‘Pit
System’ of cultivation.
Pattern under irrigation the row planting is known as ‘Kolar
System’.
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11. 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.
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12. 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.
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13. 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
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14. *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.
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15. 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.
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16. Harvesting method or collecting
method of mulberry leaves can be
broadly classified into three types.
* Branch Cutting Method:
*Leaf Cutting method:
*Bud Plucking Method:
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17. *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.
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18. *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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