Allied Agriculture

Sericulture

1. Varieties

  • Local M.5 (Kanwa), S-13, S-30 and S-56 etc.

2. Mulberry cultivation

  • The mulberry could be grown up in any type of land but preferably in redsandy loam. The pH of the soil should be 6.5. The land preparation should be taken up in the months of June and July. Once planted, it remains over 15 years without any deterioration in leaf yield. The land should be given a deep digging to a depth of 30 to 35cm to loosen the soil. The prepared and levelled land is formed into ridges and furrows. The furrows should be at least 15cm deep.

3. Preparation of saplings

  • It should be propogated through cuttings. Branches of 6 to 8 months having 10 to 12mm diameter are cut to 18 to 20cm length with 3 to 4 healthy buds.

4. System of planting

  • There are two systems of planting under irrigated condition namely row system and the pit system. In the row system, the rows are made 60cm apart and cuttings are planted in the row at a distance of 22cm. In the pit system, the rows are made 60cm apart and the cuttings are planted at a distance of 60cm in the row.

5. Irrigation During the dry period from December to May, irrigation should be given at an interval of 8 to 14 days depending on soil type.

6. Fertilizers

  • The CSR & TI, Mysore recommended 300:120:120 N, P2O5 and K2O kg ha -1 in equal splits after each harvest.

7. Pruning

  • The new plantation will be established in six months time. In the first year, two to three harvestings can be taken depending on the growth. From second year onwards, the plantation starts yielding to full capacity.

8. Silk worm rearing

  • The silk worm has 5 stages (1-5 stages). The Sericulturists bring the layings from the grainages. After 9 th day the first stage larvae comes out from the eggs. Silk worm rearing requires more attention upto cocoon production. Each stage, the silk worm goes for moulting. After the 5 th stage, the bulky worm becomes thin and shrinks in golden colour, such worms raise their heads to find a place for spinning. The spining will be completed within three days. After 5 th day from spinning, the larvae enter pupa stage. Harvesting should be done on 5 th day after pupation.
  • During the first year of plantation, only 2 crops can be taken with a rearing capacity 650 to 700 dfls. The plantation is fully established during the 1 st year and reaches optimum productivity from 2 nd year onwards. The leaf yields around 35,000kg ha 1 and rearing capacity of about 4,600 dfls in five crops.

9. Mulberry diseases

Root rot

  • Infected plant should be uprooted and burnt. Apply chloropicrin at 450g ha -1.

Leaf spot

  • Spray 0.2% difoltan on young leaves. Sprayed leaves can be used after 15 days of spraying.

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