Mulberry Cultivation in Sericulture

Booklet No. 318

Sericulture: SERS - 1
Contents
Preface
I.
Introduction
II.
Sericulture in India
III.
Climate
IV.
Varieties
V.
Preparation of Land
VI.
Manures and Fertilizers
VII.
Propagation
VIII. Irrigation
IX.
Pruning
X.
Disease
XI.
Pest Control
XII.
Quality of Leaves
XIII. Harvesting of Leaves
XIV. Storage and Preservation
XV.
Conclusion.
Preface
Mulberry leaf production (Moriculture) is an important agricultural part of Sericulture,
Mulberry leaves on which the silkworm rears is a basic food material for production of good,
quality of silk. Mulberry leaf production is being practised in different areas under different agroclimatic conditions. The main objective of mulberry cultivation is to obtain maximum quality leaf
production by proper utilization of inputs viz. irrigation, fertilizers, propagation methods etc. This
booklet provides the information on the topics which relates to increased quality production of
mulberry leaves for rearing silkworms.
Dr. K. T. Chandy, Agricultural & Environmental Education
I. Introduction
Sericulture is the branch of science which deals with the raising of the silkworms for the
production of raw silk. Sericulture has been practised in India from very ancient times.
Mulberry leaf production is the agricultural part of sericulture which is important in the
rearing of silkworms. The methods of mulberry leaf production varies in different parts of the
world depending upon the climatic conditions and soil types. Mulberry is raised as bushes in
tropical conditions. Silk is a fibrous protein of animal origin. About four to five hundred species of
animals are known to produce silk but only few are known to be commercially exploited. Nearly,
95% of the silk comes from the mulberry silk worm, Bombyx mori. Commercial silk from all other
sources is collectively called as non- mulberry silk. A mulberry silk constitutes nearly 95 percent
of the total silk production, silk in popular terms may refer only to mulberry silk and sericulture
only to the rearing of mulberry silk worm. The conscious cultivation of mulberry plants for
harvesting leaves to be used as food for silkworms is referred to as moriculture.

II. Sericulture in India

India has been producing, using as well as exporting silk. All through its history the silk
industry has the patronage of kings and nawabs. The British Government also tried to boost up
the silk industry. However, till independence the silk industry was never thought of at the
national level. Each state followed its own rearing method, used local races and local mulberry
plant, traditional reeling and weaving techniques different for each locality.
Sericu1ture has progressed and extended in India after the setting up of the Central Silk
Board. Sericulture requires conditions suitable for mu1berry growth. Though mulberry being a
hardy perennial plant grows in a wide variety of soil conditions and is also adaptable to be
cultivated as a rainfed crop, irrigation is essential to get good quality leaves.
Mulberry sprouts throughout the year in India, and good quality leaves can be harvested
by using improved high yielding varieties and adopting the package of practices. Sericulture is a
labour intensive industry. India with its large population has no labour problem. Sericulture does
not require great skill but only delicacy in the handling of the worms and it is ideally suitable for
the unskilled family labour, particularly women folk, aged, handicapped and children. Many
educated youth are increasingly taking up sericulture under the self-employment schemes of the
government. Sericulture is an ideal sideline activity for the rural people engaged in agriculture.
III. Climate
The climatic conditions in India are favourable for luxuriant growth of mulberry and
rearing of silkworms throughout the year. For the best mulberry growth, 24 to 26C temperature
is found to be optimum and for good sprouting of the buds. The mean atmospheric temperature
should not fall below 13C, if temperature falls below this limit, the tree remains in the dormant
condition. The mean maximum temperature should not be above 37.70 centigrade. Mulberry
can be grown in a rainfall range of 635 -2500 milli metres. Under the low rainfall conditions, the
growth of mulberry is limited due to shortage of moisture.
IV. Varieties
Mulberry is a perennial plant. Hence, for maximum and sustained yield under given
environmental conditions, a suitable variety of mulberry must be recommended. In the past,
local varieties of Morus Indica were grown in the different states like West Bengal, Karnataka
and Tamil Nadu for their hardy nature, ability to withstand climatic conditions and quick growing
nature. However, their yield was poor. So high yielding varieties have been evolved by the
researchers. Such high yielding varieties are, kosen, S 162, S 519, S 523, S 799, C 776, Kanva
2 (M5), S 30 and S 54.
Mysore local and M5 are the two most common varieties used. Mysore local can grow
quickly and also withstand climatic variations. M5 is a superior hybrid variety giving higher yield.
Further, the leaves are of a better quality with more protein content and give a higher leafcocoon ratio. However, it needs supplemental irrigation and fertilizer application. (Also refer
Mulberry, Booklet No. 114).
V. Preparation of Land

The field is ploughed deep initially using heavy mould board plough, up to a depth of 12"
to 15" in order to loosen the soil. Weeds and gravels are removed. A basal dose of organic
manure like compost or farm yard manure is applied @ 10 tonnes per hectare for rainfed crop
and 20 tonnes per hectare for irrigated crop. The manure is incorporated by repeated
ploughings. This enables easy establishment of the crop.
VI. Manures and Fertilizers
Manuring improves both quality and quantity of leaf yield. Manures may be supplied in
an organic and inorganic forms.
Organic manures are generally applied at the time of initial planting. It enables better
utilization of inorganic fertilizers applied later. Organic manures, by virtue of their microfauna,
enable normal recycling pathways and add to soil fertility. The common organic manures used
in mulberry are compost farm yard manure, silkworm litter poultry house litter, soyabean, neem
or ground nut cakes and green manures. All these enrich the soil in nitrogen contents and also
helps in maintaining soil fertility.
The inorganic manures or fertilizers used in mulberry cultivation are all the three
nitrogen, phosphate and potash in suitable doses as per the requirement of the soil. The normal
doses of these fertilizers are for rainfed crop, 2:1:1 and for irrigated crop 2.5:1:1. The nitrogen
dose is applied in split doses of two i.e. the first half is basal with phosphate and potash. While
the rest half is to be applied after the first leaf harvest and before the onset of the rains. The
fertilizers are usually applied as mixtures. Fertilizers may be either broad- cast or deeply placed.
In deep placement, they may be placed in holes, produced by drilling, or in furrows produced by
ploughings. For trees, side dressing of fertilizer is done around the plant called spot application.
Deep placement results in better utilization of fertilizers as they are kept moist in the root zone
and available throughout the growing season.
VII. Propagation
Mulberry is propagated either through seeds or vegetatively. Vegetative propagation is
the most common method of propagation because of various advantages like maintenance of
particular characters of the plant. Propagation through seeds has got certain limitations and is
used only for breeding new varieties.
The exotic varieties which do not come up by cuttings are propagated through root
grafts. Many of the indigenous varieties are propagated through cuttings.
Bud grafting (budding) is followed only when the scion material is scarce. Whenever, a
larger mulberry plant is to be obtained in a shorter time then the method of layering is. This
helps in filling up the gaps formed due to failure of sprouting of certain cuttings planted in pits of
established plantations.
A. Cutting
In India, propagation through cutting is the most common method. It is restricted to
varieties which are fully accustomed to local conditions. Plants which conform to the qualities
chosen for multiplication such as nutritious leaf, higher yield, quick growth, resistance to
diseases and insect pests and drought resistance are selected. Cuttings of 7 to 10 cm usually of
pencil thickness with three or four active buds are prepared out of the central portion of the
clone with the slanting cut. These cuttings are planted in the field directly or in nursery beds.

When kept in nursery, all precautions should be observed in not allowing the cuttings to dry up.
Alter 2 to 3 months, sprouted cuttings are transplanted into the field depending upon the type of
plantation to be raised.
B. Grafting
Grafting consists of inserting a small branch of a plant into a rooted plant of the same or
allied species in such a way as to bring about an organic union between the two and finally
make them grow as one. The branch that is inserted is known as the scion and the plant to
which the scion is inserted is called the stock. The scion grows with the help of nourishment
supplied by the stock. The stock is generally of an indigenous variety which is well acclimatized
to the local" .conditions. Grafting thus facilitates the propagation of a variety which has the
desirable qualities and which cannot be propagated by other means. Exotic mulberry varieties
are propagated by this method using root of the local mulberry on stock and shoot of the exotic
variety as scion.
VIII. Irrigation
Only in those areas where there is a uniform rainfall of 100 to 150 mm per month,
throughout the year, the leaf production of mulberry plant is not limited by the availability of
water. Such conditions does not exist in major sericultural areas (except Japan), hence
supplemental irrigation is essential for optimum leaf yield. Without irrigation the plant may
survive, but will give poor yield of inferior quality of leaves. Irrigation almost doubles the leaf
yield. Leaves obtained from irrigated mulberry possess more moisture and protein and are more
nutritious than those from rainfed crops. Feeding of worms with leaves grown under irrigation
generally improves the health of the worms, increases larval, cocoon and shell weights.
Frequency of irrigation varies depending on the growth stages of plant, soil types and
other agro-climatic conditions. For example, the frequency varies from once in 8 to 10 days for
sandy soils and once in 15 days for clayey soil. More frequent irrigations are necessary for
young plants than older ones. The most critical period is during summer when maximum
irrigation viz. 10 to 12 days are required.
IX. Pruning
Pruning is the methodical removal of certain branches of a mulberry plant with the object
of giving the tree a convenient shape and size, to increase the leaf yield rind to improve its
feeding value. Pruning is essential to improve yield in certain agricultural and horticultural
plants.
In mulberry, pruning is practiced solely to improve the yield of foliage for early harvest of
the leaf for silkworm rearing. Pruning of mulberry plants is also useful in adjusting the production
period to synchronize with the leaf requirement for silk Worm rearing and also to extend the leaf
production period in all the three seasons spring, summer and autumn. Pruning is one of the
cardinal principles of mulberry leaf production technology. Trimming or shaping of plants into
some definite cut forms is essential in mulberry cultivation for easy harvest and inter-cultivation.
Pruning helps to divert the energies of the plant for optimum production of foliage. Pruning is not
a devitalizing process, but it is a means of invigorating for higher and timely yield of mulberry
leaf. If pruning is carried out in excess or if the cut wounds do not heal it leads to infections and
diseases. During winter from December to end of February, the mulberry plants remain under
dormant conditions. Therefore, mulberry plants are pruned in different ways according to the
climate, geographical conditions and forms of the silkworm rearing.

X. Disease Control
Some of the important diseases caused by the attack of micro-organisms and due to
nutritional deficiencies along with their control measures are discussed here.
A. Caused by micro-organisms
There are different kinds of diseases of mulberry which are caused by fungi, bacteria
and viruses. They are widespread in all the mulberry growing countries of the world. Their
incidence, however, varies with seasonal factors, varieties and cultivation practices. The
diseases affect different parts of the plant. The economy of sericulture is severely affected since
both the quantity and quality of the leaves produced are affected by the diseases.
1. White root rot
It is caused by the pathogen Rosellinia necatrix. The diseased mulberry plants become
weak, the leaf buds grow feebly, the leaves wither off and soon the plant dies.
Control
As soon as the symptoms appear the diseased plants should be uprooted. A metre deep
pit is dug around the diseased plants and the soil around is then ploughed, leveled and
disinfected. Holes are made in the ploughed field into which about 450 grams of chloropicrin is
dropped and the holes are then covered with soil and the field is sprinkled with water. The
chloropicrin fumigates the soil. This treatment helps in controlling the soil borne pathogens.
2. Violet root rot
This is caused by the fungus Helico-basidium nompa. The main symptoms of the
disease are, sudden withering of leaves and collapse of plants during rainy season.
Control
Control measures of this disease is same as for white root rot.
3. Mulbery trunk rot
Causal organism of this disease is Polyporous hispidus. The affected trees show
symptoms such as drying up of branches and rotting of branches and trunk.
4. Other leaf diseases
Powdery mildew, leaf spot, leaf blight and leaf mosaic are the important diseases of
mulberry leaves.
i. Powdery mildew
The causal organism is Phyllactinia corylea. On the leaves, white powdery patches
appear particularly on the lower surface. Affected leaves dry up and fall off.
Control
Control measures include spraying of molestane at 0.25%, karathane at 0.1 %
concentration, dusting of fine sulphur powder. Sprayed leaves can be used for feeding on1y
after 7-10 days.
ii. Leaf spot

Several leaf spot. diseases are found in mulberry leaves. They are caused by
Cercospora moricola Septoglocum mori and species of Alternaria and Helminthosporium.
Whitish spots with yellow halo appears on the leaves.
Control
Spraying of fungicides like difolatan 0.2% on young leaves or bavistin 0.05% twice or
thrice at 15 days interval controls this disease. Difolatan should be used soon after picking or
pruning before the onset of disease for preventing the infection.
iii. Leafrust
Rust is caused by the pathogen Aecidium mori. The pathogen infects the leaves and
green woody portions of the plant. The affected green portions swell up and get deformed and
finally break down.
Control
Spraying sulphur suspension or lime sulphur mixture in appropriate concentration on the
plants is effective in controlling the disease.
iv. Leaf blight
Pseudomonas mori is the causative organism for this disease. On the lower surface of
the leaves, water soaked irregular spots appears. Affected leaves become wrinkled and curl
downwards.
Control
For controlling this bacterial disease, streptocyclin, streptomycin sulphate and streptopenicillin can be sprayed at 5 to 100 ppm concentration.
v. Leaf mosaic
The viral disease shows wrinkles on the lower surface of leaves. Chlorotic lesions also
appear on the leaves. Leaves get twined and distorted.
Control
Control includes eradication with pesticides, growing resistant varieties, growing disease
free cuttings and remov- ing and burning of diseased plants.
B. Nutritional diseases
Apart from diseases caused by various pathogenic agents, mulberry plants show many
symptoms of mineral deficiencies. The important nutritional deficiency disease symptoms of
mulberry are described here.
1. Nitrogen
Slow weak growth of plant with less branching and chlorosis of leaves are the symptoms
of nitrogen deficiency.
The young green leaves show mottling and chlorotic spots. f
2. Potassium
The deficient plants show marginal scorching (drying) of leaves and later the leaves
become coarse, non juicy and necrotic. The stem and roots become slender. Proper fertilization
of the soil with potash fertilizers is useful in curing this deficiency.

3. Phosphorus
Intra-veinal chlorosis of older leaves spreads throughout the leaf and this is followed by
marginal necrosis and defoliation. The stem will be slender without fresh growth and the root
system becomes stunted. Fertilizing the soil with a balanced NPK fertilizer helps to overcome
this deficiency.
4. Magnesium
Magnesium deficiency causes chlorosis of older leaves and necrotic spots on the leaves.
The leaf tips and margin become dried and scorched. Application of magnesium sulphate or
magnesium oxide in requisite quantities can prevent the deficiency in plants.
5. Calcium
Calcium deficiency cause deformation of young leaves, with necrosis along the veins
and makes the leaves pale. The stems become woody and short with yellowing tips and the
roots become stabby and dry. Liming the fields with requisite amount of lime, prevents this
deficiency.
6. Sulphur
There will be slight chlorosis of the leaves with general lack of new growth. The stem
becomes slender. Application of sulphur containing fertilizers help in alleviating the disease
symptoms in plants.
XI. Pest Control
Mulberry, like most of the economic plantation and field crop is often attacked by various
insect pests. Frequent leaf plucking and pruning of the shoots, even though they restrict the
attack of pests, many insects find enough time and place on mulberry for their feeding and
breeding habits. The damage caused by the pests is quick and extensive. Lepidopteran insects,
thrips and mites cause considerable damage to the mulberry. The attack by these pests is
sporadic and sometimes seasonal. Stem borers construct tunnels into the stems of mulberry to
destroy the host plant. Refer booklet No. 114 on Mulberry for more details.
XII. Quality of Leaves
The leaf to be used as a food for silk worms plays a key role in the economics of
commercial sericulture. The quality of leaf as a food for silk worm is determined by its physical
and chemical characters. Fresh soft leaves alone are palatable for silkworms. The silk worms
are attracted towards mulberry leaves not for their nutritive contents, but rather towards odd
secondary plant chemicals which act as feeding attractants.
The chemical factors influencing feeding and food utilization by worms are protein, fat,
carbohydrates, water, ash, organic acids, tannic acids, vitamins, and chlorophyll pigments.
These compounds vary accordingly to age of the leaf, species, variety, season, available
sunlight, ground water, soil types and pruning methods etc. For example mature leaf has less
moisture, more of soluble carbohydrates and crude fibre etc than in young leaf.
As young worms require leaves of more water content for easy ingestion, they should be
fed with young leaves, while old worms with mature leaves. Plants grown in shares have leaves
with more inorganic nitrates and less carbohydrates and proteins. Similarly leaves of the plant
grown under soils having high ground water are richest in carbohydrates but poorer in water and
ash content.

As the nutritive requirement of larvae vary with age and as palatability also varies
according to physical characters of the leaves, it is essential that leaves supplied to the larvae
should satisfy all its requirements.
XIII. Harvesting of Leaves
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. Further more, over the past several years the method of harvest
must have become modified to suit the availability of labour and intensity of rearing practices.
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 tor which leaves can retain
quality feed. Fresher the leaves better is their feed value. Therefore, every effort is to be made
to harvest quality leaves and keep them fresh for a longer period. Due to active photo- synthesis
and transpiration during the day time, the leaves harvested late in the afternoon contain
comparatively less water and more carbohydrates and such leaves wither more readily than the
leaves harvested in the early morning. It is, therefore, generally recommended to harvest the
leaves in the morning hours.
There are three methods of harvesting the mulberry leaves, namely leaf picking, branch
cutting and whole shoot harvest.
A. 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 auxiliary buds on the main
stem allowed to develop. This results in a rapid developement of the lateral shoots which, would
have otherwise remained dormant. Subsequently, the leaves on the secondary branches are
picked as a second crop.
In India, the leaf picking starts about 10 weeks after bottom pruning and the subsequent
pickings at an interval of about 7-8 weeks, thus obtaining 6-7 harvests in a year, after which the
branches are pruned or cut down almost to the ground level.
B. Blanch cutting
In this method the entire branch with leaves is cut and fed to the worms after the third
mould. In India, it is practiced in Kashmir, West Bengal and parts of Karnataka, This method
helps in maintaining the hygienic conditions in rearing the silkworms.
C. Whole shoot harvest
This system is practised in Karnataka state and the Malda district of West Bengal in
India. The branches are cut close to the ground level and the top is fed to the worms settled for
fourth mould. 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 4 5 harvests in a year.
This method is suitable where the sprouting takes place throughout the year.
XIV. Storage and Preservation

Fresh mulberry leaves contain a lot of starch, which is not palatable to silkworms. They
are also not highly nutritious. Usually one or two harvests are done per day and worms are fed
four or five times. A certain time must necessarily lapse during the transport of leaves and after.
During this period the leaves are stored properly below 20C and over 90% relative humidity.
Due to the metabolic activities taking place during leaf storage the chemical Constituents are
changed. Water is lost by transpiration etc. and net loss of water is proportional to the time of
storage. In the first step, the starch is broken into sugars, increasing nutritive value and
palatability of leaves to the worms. During storage, proteins are broken into amino acids. The
major problem during storage is water loss and breakdown of carbohydrate and protein
deterioration in nutritive value. If proper storage at 20C with 90% relative humidity is achieved,
these losses could be prevented. Keeping of leaves in heaps must be avoided.
XV. Conclusion
Sericulture has been practised in India from time immemorial, Yet, its transformation
from a traditional art to a modern scientific technology is of recent origin. Mulberry forms the
basic food material for silkworms and the bulk of the silk goods produced in the world are from
mulberry silkworms. Sericulture involves agriculture, art and industry, mulberry cultivation
involves various farming practices. Silk worm rearing is an art in the hands of rural people and
reeling of the silk from the cocoons formed by the worms is an industry of different financial
investments. Production of mulberry leaves on scientific lines is essential for organizing
sericulture on sound economic lines in India, by following bottom pruning of the crop it has been
possible to harvest more and better quality leaves. The next scientific advancement in reducing
the labour in harvesting leaf is introduction of mechanization of farming practices. Use of
machines for cultural practices and for harvesting of leaves have helped to reduce the cost of
production of mulberry leaf. Irrigation is another 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. In addition, the quality of leaf improves and the leaf is made available throughout the
year for hygienic growth of silkworms. The soil in which mulberry is grown is mostly alluvial and
volcanic types. Mulberry is highly responsive to fertiliser applications. As in 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.
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