Types Of Mulberry Leaf Harvesting Techniques

Shoot Harvest

Individual leaves are plucked upto 3rd age of the worms . Thereafter shoot harvest can be done stepwise downwards.

Leaf Plucking

In this method leaves are harvested by plucking throughout the year.1st bottom pruning should be given after 3rd harvest i.e., in October/November and second after taking sixth crop in June / July.. In both the systems of harvest, it is necessary to maintain a stump height of 8" - 10" above the ground level. Pruning should be done with a sharp sickle / pruning saw without damaging the stem or bark.

Selection of Mulberry Seed

Mulberry is a perennial Plant and it gives leaf yield for a period of 10 to 15 years. Therefore it is desirable to select high yielding variety of mulberry such as V1, S-Series, M5 etc.

Season for Mulberry Plantation

Plantation is to be taken up during June -July months after the onset of monsoon.

Irrigation

Irrigation is to be provided once in a week or 10 days depending on nature of the soil conditions.

Recommended Dosage of Manure

Minimum of 20 Mt. / acre of farm yard manure is recommended.

Recommended Dosage of Chemical Fertilizers

28 kgs of Nitrogen, 12 kgs of Potassium and 12 kgs of Phosphorus is recommended / acre to apply after every shoot harvesting

Separate Chawkie Garden

To harvest good cocoon crop care should be taken during Chawkie silk worm rearing by feeding quality leaf. Therefore it is recommended to raise separate Chawkie garden of 10-20 cents with S-36 variety of mulberry.