Effect of Integrated Nutrient Supply on Growth, Leaf Yield and Field Performance of Mulberry (Morus alba) under Semi Irrigated Lateritic Soil Condition of West MidNapur District, West Bengal

Abstract

A field experiment was conducted during 2004-06 to study the effect of organic manures along with bio-fertilizers and reduced doses of chemical fertilizers on growth and leaf yield of mulberry, belonging to the variety S₁₆₃₅ in lateritic soil condition with limited irrigation of West Midnapur areas having around pH 5.6. However plant height, number of tiller, leaf area, leaf yield, leaf moisture and total soluble protein were found high owing to application of different organic residues along with biofertilizers and reduced doses of chemical fertilizers. Among organic manures poultry litters along with biofertilizers with reduced dose of mineral fertilizers significantly increased leaf yield (11446.50 kg/ha/year) which is 5.76% over control. Application of organic manure like poultry litter on S₁₆₃₅ mulberry variety can reduce nitrogenous fertilizers (168 kg/ha/year) and 60% phosphatic fertilizers (60 kg/ha/year) over recommended dose (336 kg/ha/year, 180 kg/ha/year respectively) without any detrimental effect and could save Rs. 2440.00 /ha/year by curtailing the cost of cultivation by 6.75%.