Nutrient deficiencies in mulberry

Mulberry crops demand heavy fertilizer inputs. Sixteen elements are required for mulberry growth. Three of the elements — carbon, hydrogen and oxygen — are provided by air and water.

In the soil, plant roots absorb the remaining 13 elements nitrogen (N), phosphorous (P), potassium (K), calcium (Ca), sulphur (S), magnesium (Mg), manganese (Mn), zinc (Zn), boron (B), copper (Cu), iron (Fe), molybdenum (Mo), and chlorine (Cl).

Nutrient deficiencies result in reduced shoot growth, leaf size, chlorosis/necrosis of leaf and retarded growth of terminal buds.

Symptoms Some times these symptoms are usually the results of poorly drained soils, over or under irrigation, root diseases, plant pests, or other factors. In these cases, adding fertilizer does not correct the real problem and may contribute to new ones.

Generally the diagnosis of nutrient deficiencies in mulberry is through visual symptoms, soil analysis and leaf analysis. Leaf analysis is a quantitative method for diagnosing nutrient deficiencies in mulberry and is considered reliable when compared to other two methods, as there is a strong correlation between the analysis and the actual nutrient status of the plant.

A multi nutrient formulation has been developed called Poshan, which contains all the necessary nutrients in a balanced and readily available form for healthy growth of mulberry, and is recommended as foliar spray. One litre of Poshan diluted in 140 litres of water and sprayed for an acre of mulberry garden on 25th to 30th days after pruning can correct these nutrient deficiencies.

Advantages — Poshan provides nutrients for faster utilisation and recovery of deficiencies than the soil application of fertilizers. It corrects the physiological disorders caused due to deficiencies of both macro and micro nutrients and h elps to develop resistance against pest and diseases.

(Dr. N. B. Chowdary is Scientist, Research Extension Centre Sub Unit, Central Silk Board, Giddalur -523 357, Prakasam District, A.P. email: recsugid@gmail.com, Mobile: 09449994014 & Dr. V. Sivaprasad is Director, Central Sericultural Research and Training Institute, Central Silk Board, Mysore- 570 008, Karnataka.)