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

Grace Marin¹, Paulraj Blessy¹, Helan Mary¹, Subramanian Arivoli² and Samuel Tennyson^3*

¹Department of Zoology, Scott Christian College, Nagercoil 629 003, Tamil Nadu, India

²Department of Zoology, Thiruvalluvar University, Vellore 632 115, Tamil Nadu, India

³Department of Zoology, Madras Christian College, Chennai 600 059, Tamil Nadu, India

Corresponding author email: samtennyson@gmail.com

DOI : http://dx.doi.org/10.12944/CARJ.11.1.07

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 45^th and 60^th 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.

Keywords:

Leaf Area; Leaf Yield; Micronutrients; Morusalba; Plant Height; Shoot Length

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