Author(s): P. CHOWDHURY, G. C. SETUA, A. GHOSH, R. KAR, SHIVNATH, S. K. MAITY AND A. K. BAJPAI

Abstract: A field experiment was conducted at Central Sericultural Research and Training Institute, Berhampore to develop a sustainable organic farming package in mulberry cultivation under irrigated condition. Analysis of 5 crops data revealed statistically significance of the on treatments. Maximum plant height, no. of branches/plant, leaf area, LAI and leaf yield were recorded in T2 (Control i.e. traditional practice-20mt FYM/ha/year + 336N:180P:112 K kg/ha/year) followed by T7 (15mt VC/ha/year + biofertilizers + 50% RDF and T3 (30mtVC/ha/year). Highest leaf yield (6,601.92 kg/ha/crop) was recorded in T2 followed by T7 (5,911.38 kg/ha/crop) and T3 (4,884.73 kg/ha/crop). Maximum leaf area was observed in T2 (157.73 sq. cm) followed by T7 (137.50 sq.cm). The highest LAI was found in T2 (5.73) followed by T7 (5.26). The maximum (79.48%) leaf moisture was observed in T5 (25mt VC/ha/year + green manuring followed by T2 (78.82%) and T7 (78.21%). With regard to the leaf quality study, it was found that maximum in T2 (25.44mg/g fw) followed by T3 (25.35mg/g fw) in respect of total soluble protein while, T3 (37.42mg/g fw) followed by T4 i.e. 30mtVC/ha/year +Vermi wash as foliar spray (34.60mg/g fw) recorded total soluble sugar compared to control (31.52mg/g fw). The trend of above 5 crops result revealed that though the leaf yield is found still higher in T2, but it is apparent that there is an increasing trend in leaf yield and other important parameters in T7 and T3. It was also observed that there is a gradual improvement in leaf yield and the yield difference is reduced from 22.84% to 4.96% against control in T7 where as the yield difference is reduced from 53.09% to 18.03% in T3 against control.

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