Leaf fodder production in Mulberry by organic farming practices

Abstract

A study was conducted to investigate the suitable organic components of eco-friendly nature in tree type of mulberry cultivation. The S-146 tree plantation, planted during 2002 were utilized for the study. Cultural operations like pruning, digging, weeding, etc. were adopted as per the recommended packages. Different combinations of input were applied and one control was also kept where no input was applied. The experiment was repeated thrice in both seasons (spring and autumn) and leaf yield was collected by randomly selecting 3 plants from each replication. It was found that in T2 treatment (application of Sericulture waste @ 10 t/ha/yr) + green manuring with Dhaincha (Sesbania aculeate) seeds inoculated with Rhizobium bacteria + FYM (10t/ha/yr) + vermicompost (05 t/ha/yr) + rock phosphate (50 kg/ha/yr) + liquid Biophos and Biopotash (500ml each/ha after mixing in 200 litre water) recorded maximum leaf yield (9.93 t/h/yr) as against 6.37 t/h/yr in control (without input). The leaf produced by application of different organics in T2 treatment was found improved total soluble protein (15.85%) and fibre (11.68%) as against 14.29 and 10.24 in control respectively. The cocoon quality also improved in treatment T2, by recording more silk ratio (SR%) 19.89, filament length (1025 m) and non-breakable filament length (1025 m) as against 18.33%, 995 m and 856 m respectively in control (T6 where no NPK was applied). This package is eco-friendly in which low external inputs involved and local resources are effectively recycled.