On-Farm Tree Mulberry Geometry: Biochemical, Growth and Yield Analysis in the Traditional Areas of Sericulture

Abstract

Navigation from bush to tree mulberry plantation has been in force in recent years to conquer water scarcity and high-temperature impact in traditional areas. Despite no scientific recommendation, Seri-farmers are practicing varied geometry as per their knowledge and expediency wherein a systematic analysis of the growth, leaf quality, and yield parameters is lacking. Thus, tree mulberry gardens in traditional districts - Kolar and Chikkaballapura were selected to analyze the impact of varied geometry on biochemical, growth, and yield parameters of mulberry variety V1. Surprisingly, diverse geometry of 5'x5', 6'x6', 7'x5', 8'x4', 8'x8', 9'x5', 10'x5', 10'x10', and 12'x12' is in practice in the tree mulberry plantations of the study area. The foliage of tree mulberry raised under 12'x12' geometry possesses the highest total crude protein (30.81mg/100g), nitrogen (4.93%), phosphorus (0.39%), and potassium (1.66%) contents. Among growth yield parameters, 12'x12' geometry recorded the highest number of shoots per tree - 62, the number of leaves - 881, maximum shoot height - 157 cm, fresh weight of leaves - 4.18 g. However, leaf yield was recorded lowest (3.876 kg) in 12'x12' mulberry plantation over all the geometry where the number of trees accommodated per unit area was less. Further, the highest leaf moisture measuring 75.80% was recorded from 8'x4' mulberry plantation geometry. The data stated that the number of tree mulberry recorded was 3625 per hectare of plantation under 8'x4' geometry, giving rise to the highest leaf yield of 49209 kg per hectare per year with a gross return of Rs.761000. Computing all these data, we infer that rather than following capricious geometry for establishing tree mulberry plantation, we suggest following a scientific basis of geometry wherein mulberry crop quality and yield are steadfast to harvest cocoons qualitatively and quantitatively good.