Biomass yield of hybrid varieties of mulberry in a non-moriculture area

The biomass and leaf yield of different varieties of mulberry (Morus alba) Sujanpuri, Kanva-2 and a local variety was correlated with various parameters including types of soil, spacing, coppicing and irrigation. Cuttings of Sujanpuri and Kanva-2 from RRL Jammu were introduced into non-traditional areas. Cuttings were raised in nurseries and transplanted during the monsoon season. The maximum total biomass (all above ground, wet weight basis) and leaf yields obtained were 25.4 and 4.6 t/ha/yr respectively. Sujanpuri yielded maximum biomass under irrigation while the local variety was superior to both Kanva-2 and Sujanpuri under rainfed conditions. Initially the yield was greatest when trees were planted with 0.5×0.5 m spacing but subsequently the yield increased with wider spacing.