Enhancing Mulberry (Morus alba, Linn.) Canopy Regrowth using Gibberelic Acid (GA3) and height Pruning Techniques

Abstract

ABSTRACT
 Effects of pruning and growth regulator application on plant regrowth are significant to mulberry plant production. The utilization of different levels of gibberellic acid concentration(GA3) and height pruning technique investigated in mulberry 'Batac' variety in a mulberry plantation located in Ilocos Sur to determine its effects on plant regrowth in terms of the number of days to budding, number, and length of shoots, leaf senescence, biomass herbage, leaf growth ratio, and net assimilation rate, There were two height pruning strategies implemented like 0.50m and 0.75m and four different GA3 concentration like 0 ppm, 100 ppm, 200 ppm, and 300 ppm laid out in factorial randomized complete block design with three replications. The investigation revealed that mulberry plants applied with 300 ppm gibberellic acid yielded effective extensive leaf area in contrast to other treatments, including the treatments with no GA3 application. The application of GA3 on the mulberry plant after pruning either 0.50m or 0.75m advances plant growth in leaf augmentation and leaf deterioration. 300 ppm GA3 concentration produced the highest biomass herbage and yielded the highest mulberry foliage but enhanced leaf senescence tantamount to its speedy decline. There is no significant interaction between pruning heights and the different concentrations of GA3 applied to the mulberry plants. The highest profit was established by the highest concentration of GA3 with the highest net farm income, benefit-cost ratio, and rate of return per ¼ hectare mulberry farm.
 
 Keywords: height pruning, regrowth, assimilation rate, leaf deterioration, leaf growth ratio. Mulberry