Title : Variability of foliar nutrition and soil fertilizer levels on mulberry leaf quality, yield and cocoon crop production in temperate regions of Jammu and Kashmir
Abstract:
Healthy growth and development of silkworm largely depending on the quality of mulberry leaves. The activity of sericulture is declining due the reduction of mulberry production area. in sericulture practicing countries, which lead to adverse effects on silkworm rearing and cocoon production. A field experiment was conducted to study the effect of soil fertilizer levels and foliar nutrition on Chinese white, Ichinose, KNG and TR-10 mulberry leaf nutrient status, quality and cocoon production. Nutrient status, quality and impact on cocoon parameters differed significantly over a period of two seasons. The average results indicated that maximum nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium content of mulberry leaf was obtained with 100 per cent RDF + foliar nutrition @ 2.0 per cent (2.79, 1.63 and 2.54% of NPK respectively). Maximum total sugar, reducing sugar, crude protein and chlorophyll content was recorded (31.68, 19.35, 17.43 mg g-1 and 35.94 Spad value respectively). Similarly, the maximum larval weight, cocoon weight, shell weight, shell ratio, productivity, minimum larval duration, highest cocoon yield was obtained. Leaf moisture content was not influenced by application of recommended dose of NPK fertilizer levels and foliar nutrition.
