You are here: Home

Home

Print

Mulberry (Morus spp.) is cultivated in many countries across the world for its foliage which is the only food for silkworm Bombyx mori L. Mulberry cultivation in India, the second biggest producer of silk and the largest consumer has increased over years and is projected to reach 2.4 lakh ha, a whopping 32.60% increase over the present mulberry area by the end of 2017.

The tropical climate of India allows for luxuriant growth of mulberry. This perennial crop is exposed to several disease causing pathogens, fungal, bacterial, mycoplasma, viral, nematode, leading to deterioration of production and quality of feed. The quantum loss in terms of foliage and loss in cocoon crop due to inferior quality feed are considerable. Many studies were carried out during the last four decades on different aspects of mulberry diseases including etiology, predisposing factors, resistance/ susceptibility reactions, management strategies etc.  This portal is a unique compilation of information aimed at beneficiary researchers, teachers, students, sericulturists and policy makers who frequently need to source information.

Disease forewarning 

Manage powdery mildew during winter season
Powdery mildew is a serious disease of mulberry during winter season. Presence of characteristic white patches on the lower side of the leaves and yellowing of followed premature defoliation takes place. The disease will be severe in mulberry plants growing under shades and also where the soil moisture content is very high. The disease causes deterioration in the nutritive value of mulberry leaves which are unfit for silkworm rearing. Rearing with mildew infected leaves weaken the silkworm and the worms would be prone to diseases and hence decline qualitative and quantitative characters of cocoons. 
Management 
The disease is to be managed with application of Bavistin 50WP at 0.2% concentration. 200 liters of spray solution is required for spraying in 1 acre mulberry garden. The spray solution can be prepared by mixing 800g Bavistin (50 WP) in 200 liter of water. 
Safe period: The sprayed leaves can be utilized for silkworm rearing 7 days after the spray. 
Precautions: 
  • Spray during the cool hours i.e. early morning or evening.
  • Strictly follow the safe period.
  • Avoid water stagnation in the mulberry garden. 

  • News 1
  • News 2
Mulberry (Morus spp.) is cultivated in many countries across the world for its foliage which is the only food for silkworm Bombyx mori L. Mulberry cultivation in India
#
#
Tuesday the 28th. This is the official Website of CSRTI, Mysore - The R & D Organisation of Central Silk Board