Vol. 5 No. 1
Effect of planting geometry on leaf yield and quality of mulberry chawki garden.
Author(s): A. GHOSH, T. DUTTA (BISWAS), A. K. SAHA, SHIVNATH, N.B. KAR, K.MANDAL AND A. K. BAJPAI
Abstract: Silk is the most prized natural fibres and known as “Queen of Textiles” for its gorgeous fall, grace and texture , produced by mulberry silkworm Bombyx mori L. It is a monophagous insect feeds solely on mulberry (Morus sp.) leaves which play most important role (38.2%) among the various factors that influence the production of quality cocoon crop.The garden of mulberry meant for young age silkworm rearing is known as “ Chawki garden”. Soft, succulent leaves rich in protein and carbohydrate are required for chawki worms. Keeping this in mind, an attempt was made to instigate the effect of planting geometry in the form of paired row plantation [(150 cm+90 cm) x 60 cm] and spaced plantation (90 cm x 90 cm) in Chawki mulberry garden against the present farmers practice of 60 cm x 60 cm plantation. Pooled data of five crops revealed that plant height, no of branches/plant, no of leaves/plant and leaf yield/plant were significantly superior in the chawki leaves of paired row plantation in comparison to others. Important biochemical parameters were also found superior in paired row plantation. While feeding the Chawki worms with mulberry leaves harvested from the above three types of planting geometry, it was found that cocoon yield/100 dfls, Shell %, Filament length and Reelability % were also significantly superior in paired row plantation.
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