MULBERRYCULTIVATION/MORICULTURE

Mulberry silkworm is a monophagous insect which feeds only on

mulberry leaves.
Mulberry belongs to the genus Morus under the family Moraceae
Mulberry includes a number of species and varieties but only few (4) are
considered as important food plants.
1. Morus alba 2. Morus nigra
3. M. latifolia 4. Morus laenata
 Red mulberry :Morus nigra
Morus alba tree
Alternate host plants
Osage orange, Ficus pumilla - Moraceae

Ulmus pumila, U. parvifolia – Ulmaceae

Lactuca sativa, L.lanceolata – Compositae etc

Osage orange Ficus pumilla Ulmus pumila

If the worms feed on alternate host plant, their
Life span is prolonged
Cocoon spun were small
Metamorphosis fail to occur
Hence, mulberry only remains as the sole food for silkworm Bombyx
mori
Moriculture:

Definition: Conscious cultivation of mulberry plant for

harvesting leaves to be used as food for silkworms.
‘Morin’ the alkaloid content of Moraceae
Moriculture plays key role in the economics of commercial
sericulture
Because, 2/3rd of cost of production spent on moriculture
Quality cocoons depends on nutritive quality of leaves
 Geographical distribution mulberry plant
Raised both in Rain fed & Irrigated conditions
Believed to be a native of Lower ranges of Himalayas either in
India or China
Earlier record is 2800 BC in china where techniques taught by
Ching Nong.
It must have spread to rest of the world from here
There are totally 29 countries growing mulberry for rearing silk
worm
 Optimum condition for mulberry Growth
I. Temperature:

24o C to 29o C –Ideal

Optimum temp varies from region to region

Karnataka : 21 to 31o C -Tropical region - optimum

West Bengal : 15 to 37oC -Temperate region –optimum

Can not sprout below 13oC and above 38oC

II. Water requirement

During growth period mulberry requires “280 to 400” ml of water to

synthesize 1g of dry matter

Rain fall: 600 to 2500 mm/year- ideal

Low rains, limited growth & yield can be improved thro

supplementary Irrigation
III. Optimum elevation

Optimum elevation for mulberry growth is 700m above Mean sea

level

For cultivation purpose: “300 to 900m” above sea level is optimum

Though it Grows naturally in higher altitudes, cultural practices &

harvesting will be difficult above this elevation.

IV. Humidity:
Atmospheric humidity of 65 to 80 % -ideal
V. Sunlight:
Sunshine affects the growth of mulberry plant both directly &
Indirectly
Direct effects:
 Controls Photosynthesis & plant growth
 Affects production of quality leaves
 Shade grown leaves unsuitable
Contd….

Indirect effects:

Affects production of hormones

Affects synthesis of chlorophyll

“5-10 hrs” of day light in Temperate regions- Ideal

“9-13 hrs” of day light in Tropics - Ideal

VI. Soil:
Grown in wide range of soil i.e., Red soil, Loamy soil, Alluvial soil
& Black soil
Since mulberry is a perinial deep rooted plant Soil str. Must be
sufficiently porous to supply air and water to root zone,
Soil should be deep, fertile porous, well drained & good water
holding capacity
“Loamy, clayey loamy or sandy loamy soils are best.”
Pure sandy or pure clayey soils are undesirable
VII. Soil acidity /pH

Soil must be acidic ranging from 6.2 to 6.8 pH

Alkaline soils can be improved by applying Gypsum and green

manures

Acidic soils can be corrected by adding lime or green manures

Other requirements

Location of mulberry plantation must be nearer the place of

rearing

Mulberry garden should be away from chemical factories &

industries to avoid pollutions with their smokes & dust

Mulberry field should not be near tobacco (nicotine is harmful to

 Mulberry varieties
In the past local varieties of Morus indica were grown in different
states like west Bengal, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu etc. because….
For their hardy nature
Ability to withstand the climatic vagaries
Quick growth potential
But, their yield was poor
Hence, improved varieties are being evolved by hybridization of these
local varieties with high yielding exotic varieties
In India at CSR&TI Mysore- total of about 400 mulberry varieties,

of which

185 are indigenous,

114 are exotic in origin

and rest are F1 hybrids

Only Local and Kanva-2 varieties are popular among the farmers
 Varieties cultivated in India
Kanva – 2 or M-5 (80%):
• Irrigated and Rainfed
• Yield: 30-35 MT (Irrigated), 12-15 MT
(Rainfed)
Mysore local
Victory 1 (V1)
S-36 for Chawki rearing
S-13 and S-30 for growing as trees
S-1, S-799
MR-2 (Tamil Nadu)
Contd….

Assambola, Jatinuni, Kotia kutahi & maulainuni (Assam)

DD-1 (Vishwa) – Dehradun
RFS-135 (Rainfed series)
TR-16 (Tetraploid)
C-763 etc…
M-5 or Kanva-2
Vishwa /DD
S-36 for chawki rearing
Central Silk Board (CSB) has approved three new varieties
of mulberry, a staple diet for silk worms.
Victory-1 (V1) - CSRTI
Anantha - Regional Sericultural Research Station,
Anantapur (under CSRTI )
Vishala - Karnataka State Sericulture Research &
Development Institute, Bangalore
V1
High Yielding Mulberry Variety –
‘‘Vishala’
Contd….
High yielding varieties
1.S- series
2.Kollegal mulberry-8(Selection from Berhampore variety)
Varieties for irrigated conditions: S-30, S-36, S-41, S-54
Varieties for Rain fed conditions: S-13, S-34
Contd….
“The new mulberry variety, V1 has already
become very popular in South India (Karnataka, Andhra
Pradesh and Tamil Nadu).
The yield/acre/year of the leaf is more by 6,000
kg, than the existing mulberry varieties such as K2, MR2,
etc”.
Contd….

‘Vishala’ variety is a clonal selection made at the KSSRDI,

Saplings raised from the cuttings obtained from mulberry
gardens of Shidlaghatta Taluk, Kolar district of Karnataka State.
The variety has been named ‘Vishala’ becoz of adaptability to
different climatic conditions of Karnataka State.
Cultivation
I. Land selection

Plain level land preferably loamy soils, red sandy loam, red
loamy, black soils, black loamy, well drained.
pH 6.5-7.5
The depth of soil should be 3-6 feet
Grow well in acidic soil
Not suitable for alkaline soils
II. Selection of varieties

S-36 for chawki rearing

V1 for later silkworms

S-36 V1
III. Season
“June-July” with irrigation
Summer and winter is “not suitable” because of sprouting
problem
Early spring and late autumn are ideal for planting in temperate
countries
In India, recommended planting season is the “beginning of
the monsoon period”
IV. Planting direction

No consequences in tropical countries because of plenty of sun

light available

In temperate regions planting in the direction facing sunlight and

parallel to the direction of wind

V. Land preparation
Deep ploughing to a depth of 12” (inch) to 15” (inch) to loosen
the soil(M.B. plough)
Remove weeds & gravels
Basal dose of organic manures- Compost /FYM
@ 10 tonnes/ha for Rainfed
@ 20 tonnes/ha for Irrigated
Manures are incorporated by repeated ploughing
VI. Planting distance
Inter plant & Inter row distance varies depending upon
Whether mulberry grown as pure crop, mixed, companion or
hedge crop
Soil fertility
Intensity of cultivation
Agro climatic conditions
Method of training, harvesting
Availability of soil water
VII. Planting system

In India, 2 major systems of planting are followed

1.Pit system
2. Row system
1. Pit system:

 Followed in Rain fed crops with wider row spacing

 Instead of ploughing the entire field, pits of standard size

40x40x40cms are dug

Contd….
Inter row distance :
Bushy type of cultivation:90 x 90cms(Row X Plant)
High bush: 180 x 90cms
Tree plantation: 270x270cms
Equal quantities of organic manures, red soil & sand are placed
in each pit after mixing
and a cutting or a sapling is planted.
2. Row system

Followed for irrigated mulberry crop in South India

The land is prepared by ploughing well

Ridges and furrows are made by ploughing

Distances between ridges is generally 45-60 cms.

A rope with knots at equal distance of about 45-60cms is tied

from one end of a ridge to opposite end

Contd….

Two cuttings are planted at the point indicated by the knot on

either side of the ridge.

Thus, the interplant distance between the rows and plants within

the row is about 45-60 cms

Irrigation water flows through the furrows between rows.

. Kolar system

Similar to row system of planting except that the distance

between the plant is very much less
The spacing between the row is 30 or 45 cms and the distance
between the plants in the row is 10-15 cm
Followed in Kolar district of Karnataka
4. Strip system

Very close system of mulberry cultivation practiced in West

Bengal where mulberry is grown in strips.
Each strip has either
Two rows (Do- thaki)
Three rows (The- thaki)
Contd….
Each strip is separated from the adjacent strip but a wide distance so
that harvesting and inter-cultivation and other operations can be
done using small tractors and other machines
Within a strip, plants are planted at a distance of 15cms between
rows and two plants within the row.
 Propagation Methods

Two methods of propagation

1. Seedling propagation (Using seeds)

2. Vegetative propagation (By cuttings)

Seedling propagation
Rarely practiced by commercial rearers
Because the quality of the variety can not be maintained as mulberry
is wind pollinated plant
Methodology

The seeds are extracted from the ripe fruits

Ripe fruits are available in March-April in tropical regions and may

–June in temperate regions

Contd….

As there is no dormancy period for the seeds, freshly collected seeds

have a high germination percentage.
The viable seeds are either broadcast in the field or sown
individually in holes in a line marked with a rope at a depth of < 25
mm
If sown in deeper layers, the seeds fail to germinate due to lack of
oxygen
Vegetative propagation
Most popular method used for commercial plantation
Advantages

Desired hereditary character can be maintained throught

Large number of plants can be reared quickly and economically

Pest and disease resistant plants can be raised

Plants adopted to specific localities can be grown

Vegetatively mulberry is propagated by

Cuttings

Grafting

Layering
Cuttings

Practiced for growing varieties adopted to local conditions

Most popular method of cultivation in south India

Planting material selected for cuttings should possess following
characters
Shoots of proper maturity and thickness
Active well developed buds
Pencil thick branches (10-12 mm dia.) from 8-10 month old plants
of desired variety are used for preparing cuttings
Contd….

Free from pest and diseases

Should have minimum 3 eye buds

Tips of very tender branches and bases of over mature branches are

rejected
Methodology

The branches cut in to 18-20 cms (7” to 8”) long cuttings with a
minimum of 3 internodes with well developed buds are used for
rainfed plantation
Care should be taken that the ends are cut cleanly with sharp knives
with no splits or peelings in the bark
The cuttings are placed in a previously prepared nursery with about
2.5 cms of cutting with one node projecting above soil.
Contd….

The cuttings are watered and in ten days, roots develop from the
buds in the inter node below the soil and leaves from the buds above
the soil.
The varieties evolved from the temperate regions do not produce
root from cuttings.
Contd….
So, rooting is induced by the use of root hormones and growth
regulators like
IAA – Indole acetic acis
IBA – Indole butyric acid
NAA – L-Naphthalene acetic acid
2-4-D – 2,4- dichloro phenoxy acetic acid
Alternatively the cuttings may be given a quick dip in a concentrated
solution and prolonged dip in a weak soln. of these substances
 Mulberry is propagated by stem cuttings
There are 3 types of stem cuttings

1. Soft wood cutting - prepared from young plants (followed in India)

2. Semi hard wood cutting – Partially matured stem cuttings

3. Hard wood cuttings – Well matured stem cuttings (Japan)

Manuring

Improves both quality & quantity of leaf yield

Supplied in the form of organic or Synthetic chemical form

Mulberry plant require total 15 elements:

Major & primary nutrients: C, H, O, N, P & K ( required in

large qty.)

Secondary nutrients: Ca, Mg, S

Organic manures
Basal dose at initial planting time to enable better utilization of

inorganic fertilizers

FYM or Compost:

Rainfed crop- 8-10 tonnes/ha

Irrigated crops: 15-20 tonnes

More FYM should be applied for Chawki gardens

Organic manures used in mulberry cultivation

Compost
FYM
Sericulture wastes ( silk worm litter, dead worms, exuvia, pruned
leaves, pupal wastes, dead and unused moths etc.. Could be added
with super phosphate of lime for better decomposing)
Poultry manure
Oil cakes
Green manures, Bio gas slurry etc.
Chemical or Inorganic fertilizers
Nitrogen , Phosphoruos & potassium are major & necessary for
mulberry plant growth
Nitrogen deficiency leads to
Stunted growth
Leaves shed quickly as they dry up
Nutritive value of the leaves for silkworm feeding is reduced as
protein and water content of leaves become reduced
Phosphorous
Phosphorous deficiency leads to
Stunted growth of plant
Leaves appears very small & dark green
Older leaves appears reddish purple.
Potassium

Essential for sustained yield of quality mulberry as it is essential

for formation of woody parts of the stem

Potassium deficiency leads to : Susceptible to pests & diseases

Fertilizer schedule:

Rain fed crop :Recommended dosage is 100: 50: 50 NPK/ha/year &

applied in 2 splits
Doses N P K Time of application
Dosage kg/ha.
Ist dose 50 50 50 2-3 weeks after bottom pruning in June-
July
(During onset of monsoon)
II nd 50 - - After the first leaf harvest
dose ( September- October)
For Irrigated crop:
Row system: Recommendations:300:120:120 kg of NPK/ha/year in 5 doses

Doses N P K Days after harvest

Dosage kg/ha

I 60 60 60 10days after Ist harvest

II 60 - - 10days after IInd harvest
III 60 60 60 10days after III rd harvest
IV 60 - - 10days after IV th harvest
V 60 - - 10days after Vth harvest
For Pit system: 280:120:120 kg NPK/ha/year in 6 doses
Doses N P K Days after harvest
Dosage kg/ha
I 60 60 60 10days after I harvest
II 40 - - 10days after II harvest
III 40 - - 10days after III harvest

IV 60 60 60 10days after IV harvest

V 40 - 10days after V harvest

VI 40 - -
Pruning and Training
Methodical cut off some branches of the mulberry plant is
called pruning
Objectives:
To maintain a convenient height for harvest
To induce more vegetative growth
To maintain the shape & size of plant
To adjust the leaf production period to synchronize with leaf
requirements for silkworm rearing
Methods / Type of pruning
Varies from place to place, according to geographical
locations, methods of silkworm rearing, type of training, irrigated
condition etc..
There are 4 types of pruning
1. Bottom pruning(Annual Pruning)( Low cut pruning)
2. Middle pruning
3. Top pruning(High cut or stepwise pruning)
4. Kolar system of pruning(Strip system of pruning)
1. Bottom pruning(Annual Pruning)( Low cut pruning):

Shoots pruned at an height of 10-15 cm above ground level

during June- July

To facilitate tree branching and maximum bush development

Followed for Irrigated & rain fed pit system of planting

2. Middle pruning:

Shoots pruned at an height of 60 cm above ground level at

first shoot harvest during January in Irrigated pit system of planting

3. Top pruning(High cut or stepwise pruning):

Mulberry branches are cut at the top or to the soft portion to

the height of 90 cm
4. Kolar system of pruning(Strip system of pruning)
Branches are cut to the ground level where, pruning & harvesting
are done together at 10-15 cm above the ground level.
In closely planted area, this type of pruning is done.
The branches are cut at ground level every time.
. it receives five prunings every year.
Thus,
This type of severe pruning requires heavy fertilization and
irrigation
Training :

Pruning is done systematically to give specific shape to the

tree is called training

2 types of training

1. Fist form of training

2. Non Fist form of training

Fist form of training
Due to repeated pruning of the same branches on the same
place every year, the top part of the trunk gradually rises in diameter
without an increase in height is called fist form of training
Non-Fist form of training
Branches are cut at a level higher than the branching point every
year As a result the branching point of the shoot increases in height
every year
Hence fist does not develop called Non fist form of training
Intercultivation
Periodical loosening of soil between the mulberry plant either
manually or by bullock drawn tillers called Intercultivation.
Inter row spacing ploughed to the depth of 15cm
Aimed to
Remove weeds , Loosen the soil
Better aeration to root system
Encourage growth and development of the plants
percolation of water
Weeding

To avoid crop weed competition for food & space

Ist weeding at 45 days after planting

3-4 weeding is done till one year manually

Thereafter bullock drawn implements can be used for

ploughing & weeding

 Harvesting & storing of mulberry leaves
Nutritive value of leaves
Silk worm prefers only fresh, soft mulberry leaves, So leaves
harvested for feeding should be Succulent, smooth & with low fibre
content
Quality of leaves as food dertermined by
Physical & chemical characteristics of leaves.
Secondary plant chemicals: present in leaves decides Attracting,
biting, Swallowing
1.Attracting factors:
presence of volatiles like
Essential oils : Citral, Terpenyl acetate, Linalol & Gamma
hexanol. These Volatiles acts even from a distance.
2. Biting factors:
Flavanoids like: Isoquercitrin & morin
Terpenoids like: Beta sitosterol
Sugars like : Sucrose and Inositol (Act on gustatory sensilla)
3. swallowing factors
which induces continuous feeding i.e., cellulose
Supplementary mineral factors :
• K
• dibasic phosphate
• silica
• sucrose
• inositol
 Composition of Mulberry leaves

Moisture : 75-82%
Crude protein : 24-36%
Crude fat : 3-4%
Crude fibre : 9-11 %
Ash(Minerals) : 7-8%
CHO : 12-20%
Also rich in vitamins
 Methods of harvesting

Leaf harvested in the afternoon contains less water & more of

CHO due to the active photosynthesis & transpiration in day

time but such leaves wither quickly.

Therefore harvesting in early hours of the morning is good.

Method of harvest varies with

Different areas

According to the rearing methods used.

Modified to suit the intensity of rearing

Availability of the leaves at the given time.

The following leaves are to be avoided for silkworm feeding

Buds

Too tender leaves

dusty leaves

Diseased & pest infested leaves

Insecticide sprayed leaves

Declining , over matured leaves etc..

 Methods of harvesting

Three methods of harvesting

1. Leaf picking

2. Branch cutting

3. Whole shoot harvest

1. Leaf picking

Leaves are picked individually from main stem with petiole

At the same time the terminal buds are to be removed (Pinching)

so that lateral shoots develops rapidly.

Leaf picking is started 10 weeks after bottom pruning &

subsequent pickings can be done at an interval of about 7-8 weeks.

Advantage:
Leaves can be selected to suit the growth stage of the larvae
i.e.,
young ones for infants
matured ones for grown up stages
Disadvantage:
Require more labour
Leaves wither quickly
2. Branch cutting method

It is called Bachi system in Kashmir , also practiced in West

Bengal & parts of Karnataka, Japan & Russia.

Entire branch is harvested & fed to worms of IIIrd moult

directly.
Advantage:

Save labour in harvesting & also in feeding, spacing & bed cleaning

operations.

The hygienic condition of rearing house is easier to be maintained

Leaves of entire branches retained succulence for a longer period

& are used to the maximum extent.

3. Whole shoot harvest:

Cutting the branches to ground level by bottom pruning &

feeding the entire shoot to larvae after IVth moult

Shoots are harvested at an interval of 10-12 weeks & thus 5-6

harvests are made in an year.

Popular in Kolar district of

Karnataka & West Bengal

Preservation of leaves:
Fresh mulberry leaves contains lot of starch which is not palatable
to silkworms
Generally only one or two harvests are done per day while worms
are fed four times a day
A certain time must necessarily lapse during transport of leaves
from fields to the rearing room.
During this period from harvesting to feeding mulberry leaves are
preserved and stored.
The major problem during storage is water loss & deterioration
of the nutritive value by the breakdown of CHO & proteins
i.e., the proteins that are available in leaves will be converted
into amino acids
CHO converted into simple sugars
& due to more moisture desiccation of leaves takes place.
Therefore store leaves at below 20 degree centigrade & over
90% RH.
Better to collect and transport mulberry leaves in bamboo baskets
covered with wet gunny cloth which reduces temperature &
increases RH.
Store the leaves in baskets for infants
Store the leaves in large wooden or bamboo leaf chambers cover
on all sides with a wet gunny cloth
Expose to the air current should be avoided

keeping the leaves in heaps must be avoided

Increased temperature decomposes the leaves as the middle

portion of the heap receives less oxygen.

Store the leaves by spreading them in thin layers & covering

them with a wet gunny cloth or polythene sheets.

The period of storage should not exceed 24 hrs
In view of better cocoon yield it is recommended that leaves be
kept in small leaf preservation bags of 2’ x 3’ size having a capacity
for holding 3-4 kg leaves.
Bags made of gunny cloth or ploythene sheets or both are double
layered.
Such small bags are more convenient to handle & maintain more
leaves in storage for long duration compared to traditional method
of storing ( in heaps or covering with wet gunny cloth).
During the period of storage, the chemical constituent of leaves is

altered because of metabolic activities.

In the initial period of storage starch is broken down to sugars, the

increase of which leads to the higher nutritive value & palatability of

the leaves to the worms.

After sometimes the sugars are oxidized during respiration and are

depleted.
 Pests & Diseases of Mulberry
• FOLIAR DISEASES
• 1. Leaf Spot - Cercospora moricola
• Occurrence : It is more prevalent during rainy season followed by winter. The disease starts
progressing 35-40 days after pruning (DAP)/leaf harvesting and becomes severe on the 70th
DAP.
• Crop loss : 10-12 %
• Symptoms : Brownish necrotic, irregular spots appear on the leaf surface. Spots enlarge,
extend and join together leaving characteristic ‘shot hole’. Leaves become yellow and wither
off as disease becomes severe.
• Control measures to be adopted:
• Spraying of 0.2 % Bavistin (Carbendazim 50% WP) solution on the leaves.
• Safe Period: 5 days.
• 2. Powdery Mildew - Phyllactinia corylea
• Occurrence : Disease is prevalent during winter and rainy seasons and progresses
40th DAP/leaf harvest becoming severe on 70th DAP.
• Crop loss : 5-10%
• Symptoms : White powdery patches appear on the lower surface of the leaves. The
corresponding portions on the upper surface develop chlorotic lesions.
• When severe, the white powdery patches turn to brownish-black; the leaves
become yellow, coarse and loose their nutritive value.
• Control measures to be adopted:
• Follow wider spacing of plantation (90 cm x 90 cm) or paired row planting system
[(90 +150) × 60 cm]
• Spraying of 0.2 % Karathane (Dinocap 30% EC) / Bavistin on the lower surface of
the leaves. Safe period 5 days.
• Or spray Sulfex (80WP) 0.2%, safe period 15 days.
• 3. Leaf Rust - Cerotelium fici
• Occurrence : The disease is more prevalent during winter and rainy seasons. It
starts progressing 45-50 DAP becoming severe on 70th DAP. The mature leaves
are more prone to the disease
• Crop loss : 10-15%
• Symptoms : Initially, circular pinhead sized brown eruptive lesions appear on
the leaves and later leaves become yellow and wither off.
• Control measures to be adopted:
• Follow wider spacing of plantation (90 cm x 90 cm) or paired row planting
system [(90+150) × 60 cm]
• Avoid delayed leaf harvest
• Spraying 0.2% Kavach (Chlorothalonil 75 % WP) on the leaves
• Safe period: 5 days
• 4. Sooty mould - A group of fungi
• Occurrence: The disease is more prevalent during winter (August-December)
season.
• Crop loss: 10-15%
• Symptoms : Thick black coating develops on the upper surface of the leaves.
• Factors responsible for spreading of the disease:
• The disease occurs due to the presence of white flies in the mulberry field.
• The fungi develop on the honey like substance produced by the whiteflies.
• Temperature of 20-24° C and high relative humidity above 70 % are favourable for
the disease development.
• Control measures to be adopted:
• Spray 0.2% Indofil-M45 to check growth of saprophytic fungi
• Foliar spray of 0.02% monocrotophos on 15th and 30th day after pruning to
control white fly infestation.
• II. ROOT DISEASES
• 1. Root knot - Meloidogyne incognita (Nematode)
• Occurrence: The disease is out break through out the year and
more common in sandy soils under irrigated conditions.
• Crop loss: 20 %
• Symptoms:
• Severely affected mulberry plants show stunted growth with low
water moisture in leaves, later yellowing of leaf margins.
• Formation of knots / galls on roots is the main indicator of the
disease symptom.
• Galls are spherical and vary in size; young galls are too small and
yellowish-white in colour, old galls are big and pale brown.
• Control measure:
• Apply neem oil cake @ 800 kg/acre/yr in 4 split doses during
intercultural operation or after pruning the plant or after leaf
harvest by making the trenches of 10 –15 cm deep near the root
zone of plant and cover with soil and irrigate.
• 1. Pink Mealy bug
• Occurrence & Symptom : Pink mealybug, Maconellicoccus hirsutus (Green) causes deformity symptom in
mulberry which is popularly called as Tukra. Leaves become dark green, wrinkled & thickened with shortened
inter nodal distance resulting in bunchy top appearance/resetting of leaves. It occurs throughout the year, but
severe during summer months. Mulberry leaf yield is reduced by 4,500 kg/ha/yr due to this pest.
• Mechanical control:
• Clip off the infested portion by secateur, collect in a polythene bag and destroy by burning. This will help in
reducing the chances of recurrence of pest. This practice may be followed when the silkworms attain 4th age.
• Chemical control: Spray 0.2% Diflubenzuron 76% EC (@ 2.63 ml/lit water) 15–20 days after pruning. Safety
period: 15 days.
• Biological control:
• Release predatory lady bird beetles Cryptolaemus montrouzieri @ 250 adult beetles or Scymnus coccivora @ 500
adult beetles in two equal splits at an interval of 6 months.
• Availability of predatory lady bird beetles: Pest Management Lab., CSR&TI, Mysore (ph. No.0821-2903285) cost:
Rs 120 per unit.
• 2. Papaya mealy bug
• Occurrence & Symptom: The papaya mealy bug, Paracoccus marginatus is an exotic pest which
infest a variety of crops such as papaya, guava, teak, vegetables, Jatropha, and weed plants like
Parthenium, Sida, Abutilon etc. In mulberry its infestation causes malformation of affected portion,
stunted growth of leaf, presence of red/black ants, honey dew secretion, growth of sooty mould, and
outright killing of the plant. At present occurrence of papaya mealy bug is sporadic.
• CLASSICAL BIOLOGICAL CONTROL OF PAPAYA MEALYBUG
• Release exotic parasitoid, Acerophagus papayae @1 vial per acre (1 vial= about 100 adult
parasitoids).
• Do not remove or destroy alternate host plants such as Parthenium, Sida, Abutilon, Jatropha etc.,
containing mummified mealybugs.
• Do not spray any insecticide for its control, which may still worsen the situation.
• Note: Exotic parasitoids are available at National Bureau of Agriculturally Important Insects
(NBAII), ICAR, Bangalore [opp: CBI, Ganganagar, Bangalore; phone no. 080-23511982/98]
• 3. Mulberry Leaf roller
• Occurrence & Symptom : Incidence of Leaf roller, Diaphania pulverulentalis in mulberry starts
with the onset of monsoon. It occurs from June to February but reaches peak during September –
October months. The larva binds mulberry leaf blades by silken thread, stay inside & feed. Its
feacal matter can be seen below the infested portion.
• Mechanical control: Remove the infested portion (along with the larva) by secateur, collect in a
polythene bag and destroy by burning.
• Chemical control:
• Spray 0.076% DDVP (@ 1 ml/lit water) 12 to 15 days after pruning. Safety period: 7 days.
• Second spray of 0.5% commercial neem pesticide (0.03% Azadirachtin) @5ml/Lit water,10 days
after first spray. Safety period: 10 days.
• Biological control : Release Trichogramma chilonis egg parasitoid @ 1 Tricho card/week (for 4
weeks). Do not spray any insecticide after the release of trichogramma parasitoids.
• 5. Thrips
• Occurrence & Symptom : Thrips, Pseudodendrothrips mori, is a major
pest in Tamil Nadu and minor pest in Karnataka & Andhra Pradesh. It
occurs throughout the year and severe during summer (February -
April). Both adults and nymphs lacerate the leaf tissues and suck the
oozing sap. Affected leaves show streaks in early stages and
yellowish/brown blotches in the advanced stage of attack.
• Mechanical/Physical control : Use sprinkler irrigation to disturb thrips
population & eggs on the underside of mulberry leaves.
• Chemical control: Spray Emamectin Benzoate (@ 0.22 g/lit water) 15
days after pruning. Safety period: 20 days.
• Biological control: Release predatory lady bird beetles (Scymnus
coccivora @ 500/acre).
• 6. White fly
• In the recent years outbreak of Dialeuropora decempuncta has occurred on mulberry
in southern state of Kerala and now observed to severely infest mulberry in the
irrigated belt of Karnataka covering Mysore and Mandya districts.
• Occurrence & Symptom : The spiraling of waxy material is the typical symptom of
white fly attack. Occur during the months March-June; October-December. Both
nymphs and adults pierce and suck the sap from foliage and the damaged leaf
become unfit for silkworm rearing.
• Mechanical/Physical control:
• Use sprinkler irrigation to disturb white fly population.
• Fix yellow sticky traps @ 75-80 traps/acre to trap the adults.
• Biological control : Release predatory lady bird beetles Cryptolaemus montrouzieri
@ 250 adult beetles or Scymnus coccivora @ 500 adult beetles/acre.