Effect of organic manures on quantitative and qualitative parameters of mulberry production

Mulberry is the sole food source of silkworm Bombyx mori L. In sericulture the quality of mulberry leaf plays a major role as it influences the quality of silk cocoons. In mulberry, organic carbon and soil moisture have a tremendous influence on leaf yield and quality. In light of the above as well as growing need for maintaining soil fertility and health for sustainable sericulture, the present study was undertaken. In this study six treatments comprising of organic nitrogen, organic phosphorus and organic potassium were applied and the effect of all these inputs on the yield and quality parameters of mulberry were studied in comparison with chemical fertilizers. Studies revealed that T6 and T4 have shown positive results compared to control. Application of Aishwarya as basal dose followed by the foliar application of the organic nutrients resulted in positive increase in the yield and quality parameters. Significant increase in average length of shoot, weight of 100 fresh leaves and leaf yield were noticed in all the treatments with organic manures over control involving only chemical fertilizers. In respect of the biochemical composition of mulberry leaf, organic manure treatments showed significantly higher values in respect of moisture content, moisture retaining capacity after 12 hours, total chlorophyll content, protein percentage and carbohydrate percentage over the application of chemical fertilizer.