LECTURE NOTES ON MORICULTURE

Moriculture

The cultivation of mulberry is called as moriculture. They belong to family moraceae. The important species of mulberry cultivated in India is Morus alba .Loam type soil with neutral ph is ideal for cultivation .Cultivation is through seeds or stem cuttings

Planting systems

Major systems of planting are Pit system, row system, kolar system, strip system, angular system.

1.Pit system:- It is followed under rained condition with wider spacing. Instead of ploughing, pits of standard size are made. Equal quantities of organic manure, red soil and sand are placed in each pit. Three cuttings are planted in a triangle in each pit.

2. Row system :- It is followed under irrigated conditions. Ridges and furrows are made by ploughing. Cuttings are planted at equal distance. The crop is grown as bush type.

3. Kolar system:-, Similar to row system. Space between plants is very much less. This system is followed in kolar district of karnataka. Hence known as kolar system.

4. Strip system:-  Mulberry is grown in strips of 2-3 rows. Each adjacent strips are separated by a wide distance. Distance between each plant  within the row is 15 cm. It is followed in west bengal.

5. Angular system:- Mostly followed in hill regions of nilgiris. Distance between plants is similar to pit system. Plants in adjacent rows are planted in such a way they form a triangular shape. It allows more plants per unit area.

Maintenance of mulberry garden

 Irrigation, Pruning,  Harvesting

Irrigation- Judicious use of water for maximum production is important. During dry period, irrigation should be given at 7 to 15 days interval. For loamy soils–once in 10 days.  For clayey soils – once in 15 days

Pruning:- Periodic cutting of branches for ensuring a good yield of quality leaves is known as pruning.

Objectives of pruning:- To maintain a convenient height, shape and size of the plant. To induce more vegetative growth. To synchronize leaf production with leaf requirement. To extend leaf production period. To remove dead and defunct wood. To expose plant for better sunlight and aeration.  To make cultural operations easier.

Types of pruning:-

Low cut pruning : it is widely practiced in japan. Plant is cut at a level less than 0.5m above ground level.

Medium cut pruning : plant is cut at a height of 0.5 to 1.5 m above ground level.

High cut pruning : plant is cut at a height of more than 1.5 m above ground level.

 Harvesting:-

Leaf harvested during afternoon contain less water and more of carbohydrates due to active photosynthesis and transpiration. Leaf harvesting in early morning hours is recommended

 Methods of harvesting

1.leaf picking :- Leaves are picked individually from main stem with petioles. It starts 10 weeks after bottom pruning.It requires more labour and leaves wither  quickly.   

2. Branch cutting:- The entire branch is harvested. It is used to feed worms after third moult directly. It requires less labour and leaves retain succulence for longer period.

3. Whole shoot harvest:- The branches are cut to ground level by bottom pruning. The entire shoot is fed to leaves. Shoots are harvested at 10-12 weeks interval and 5-6 harvests are made per year.