Role of Micronutrients on the Increased Growth and Yield of Mulberry (Morus alba L.) Plants

Abstract

Moriculture is a significant factor for better production of silk in the field of sericulture. The present study deals with the influence of micronutrients on the increased growth and yield of the mulberry plants [MR2 (Mildew Resistant Variety 2)]. Field experiments comprising of twelve treatments including a controlsupplemented with desired quantity of micronutrients in single or in combination were analysed to study the morphometric and characteristic parameters of the mulberry plant, viz., plant height, shoot length, number of branches and leaves per plant, leaf area and leaf yield. At 45th and 60th day of pruning, maximum plant height was noted in T9(CuSO4 15Kg/ha + ZnSO4 15Kg/ha + FeSO4 30Kg/ha)and T10(CuSO4 20Kg/ha + ZnSO4 20Kg/ha + FeSO4 40Kg/ha) whichincreased by22.33% and 25.8%,respectively over control; maximum shoot lengthwas recorded in T9which increased by26.32% and 30.86%,respectively over control; maximum number of branches was observed in T9which increased by41.62% and 45.75%,respectively over control; maximum number of leaves was notedin T9 which increasedby 27.9% and 31.42%,respectively over control; maximum leaf area was recorded in T9 which increased by 60.59% and 25.39%,respectively over control; and maximum 100 leaf yield and leaf yield/plant was in T9 which increased by118.91% and 136.74%; and 70.71% and 91.07%,respectively over control. The findings of the present study emphasized that supplementation of micronutrients in general and T9 in particular enhanced the growth and yield of mulberry plants.