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How to Grow Mulberry (Shahtoot) in Junagadh

A hands-on guide for Junagadh growers on selecting varieties, preparing soil, planting, irrigation, pruning, pest control and marketing mulberry (shahtoot). Focus is on practical steps and local adaptation.

Ranjeet Natarajan
Ranjeet Natarajan August 9, 2026 6 min read 1,159 words
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How to Grow Mulberry (Shahtoot) in Junagadh

Why grow mulberry (shahtoot) in Junagadh?

Junagadh’s hot, largely semi-arid climate with mild winters suits many mulberry types. Mulberry is a flexible crop: Morus alba types are useful for sericulture and fast leaf production, while darker-fruited types (often marketed as shahtoot) fetch higher prices as a fresh-fruit crop. With proper irrigation and soil management, mulberry can be a profitable small-orchard or mixed-cropping option in the region.

Choosing varieties

Local nurseries and the nearest KVK are the best sources of varieties adapted to Gujarat conditions. In practical terms consider:

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  • Morus alba (white mulberry): quick growth, high leaf yield — suitable if you plan sericulture or frequent pruning cycles.
  • Darker-fruited types (sometimes sold as shahtoot): preferred for fresh-market fruit because of colour and taste; generally slower-growing than white mulberry but higher fruit value.
  • Use healthy, disease-free planting material from certified nurseries. For uniform orchards choose grafted or budded saplings; for coppiced systems, hardwood cuttings or rooted saplings are acceptable.

Site selection and soil

Mulberry tolerates a range of soils but performs best on deep, well-drained loam. In Junagadh watch for saline pockets and poor drainage in low-lying fields.

  • Elevation and exposure: full sun; avoid frost pockets (not usually an issue in Junagadh).
  • Soil pH: tolerant of slightly alkaline soils common locally, but heavy alkaline or saline soils reduce vigour — ameliorate with organic matter and gypsum where recommended.
  • Drainage: avoid waterlogging; if drainage is poor, plant on raised beds or ridges.

Propagation and planting time

Propagation methods: rooted cuttings, saplings from polybags, or grafted plants. For orchard establishment use uniform 1–2 year old saplings.

  • Best planting time: onset of monsoon or immediately after the monsoon when soil moisture is available for establishment (June–July or September in some years).
  • Planting method: dig pits large enough to accommodate roots without bending; mix topsoil with well-rotted farmyard manure (FYM) or compost when backfilling.
  • Spacing: depends on system — for an orchard use 4–5 m x 4–5 m (roughly 400–625 trees/ha). For more intensive / high-density systems used for leaf production, spacing can be reduced but requires more frequent pruning and irrigation.

Irrigation and water management

Water is the limiting input in Junagadh. Plan irrigation to support establishment and fruiting:

  • Establishment stage (first year): keep soil moist around roots. Regular light irrigations after planting help root development.
  • Mature trees: mulberry is reasonably drought-tolerant but gives best yields with regular moisture. Use drip irrigation to save water and keep soil moisture even; it also reduces weed pressure and foliar disease risk.
  • Mulching: apply organic mulch (straw, leaves, compost) to retain moisture, moderate soil temperature and add organic matter.
  • Irrigation scheduling: adjust frequency to season — more frequent during peak summer, reduce in cooler months. Avoid over-irrigation that causes root rot.

Nutrition and soil care

Mulberry responds well to organic matter. Practical nutritional management:

  • Baseline: incorporate well-rotted FYM or compost at planting and top-dress annually to maintain soil organic carbon.
  • Fertilizer: use a balanced fertilizer program split across the growth season. Young plants need more nitrogen for vegetative growth; bearing plants need balanced NPK for fruiting. For specific dose recommendations consult the local KVK or extension service to match soil test results.
  • Foliar feeding: useful during fruiting to correct micronutrient deficiencies; treat based on visible deficiency symptoms or soil test guidance.

Pruning, training and cropping cycle

Pruning keeps trees manageable and supports regular fruit/leaf production:

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  • Initial training: establish a strong framework in the first 2–3 years — choose 3–4 scaffold branches well spaced around the trunk.
  • Annual pruning: remove dead or diseased wood and thin crowded shoots. For fruit trees prune to keep canopy open for light and air; for leaf production coppice or cut-back systems are used to force vegetative growth.
  • Coppicing: where used for leaf production, cut back to low stumps on a cycle (e.g., multiple harvests per year) — this is labour-intensive but increases leaf yield per hectare.

Pest and disease management

Mulberry in Junagadh faces common pests and diseases — monitor regularly and use integrated pest management (IPM):

  • Common pests: aphids, mealybugs and caterpillars can appear on leaves. Encourage natural enemies (ladybirds, lacewings) and use neem-based sprays or approved insecticides only when thresholds are exceeded.
  • Diseases: powdery mildew and leaf spots can occur in humid conditions. Maintain air flow with good pruning, avoid overhead irrigation at night, and remove infected leaves. Fungicide interventions should follow local recommendations.
  • Sanitation: remove and destroy heavily infested prunings; avoid bringing infected plants into the orchard.

Harvesting and post-harvest handling

Harvest timing and handling determine market value:

  • Fruits are soft when ripe — plan frequent picking (every 2–3 days) during peak season to avoid overripe berries on the tree.
  • Pick gently into shallow containers to avoid crushing; cool fruit quickly after harvest to extend shelf life.
  • Post-harvest: sort and grade by size and colour, and sell promptly to local markets, retailers, or processors. Value-add options include jam, squash, or selling to small-scale processors if available locally.

Intercropping, economics and marketing tips

Mulberry can be integrated into farm systems to spread risk and improve returns:

  • Intercropping: in early years before canopy closure, intercrop with short-season vegetables or legumes to generate income and improve soil nitrogen.
  • Value chain: identify demand — fresh market, local traders, processor or sericulture. For fruit sales, proximity to markets and cold-chain options improves returns.
  • Record keeping: track establishment costs, water use, labour for pruning/harvest, and price received per season to evaluate profitability and refine management.

Local adaptation: specific tips for Junagadh growers

  • Water economy: install drip systems and use mulch — water is the limiting factor in Junagadh, so efficient scheduling is essential.
  • Heat stress: protect young plants from extreme midday heat with temporary shade in the hottest months, especially newly planted saplings.
  • Soil constraints: if soils are shallow, rocky or saline, improve with organic matter and consider raised beds. Consult local extension for gypsum application in sodic areas.
  • Nursery sourcing: buy locally adapted planting material and ask for health certificates — established local clones will perform better than distant selections with unknown performance in Junagadh’s climate.

Where to get reliable technical advice

Before making large investments consult the Junagadh KVK, local horticulture department or a trusted local nursery. They can provide soil testing, variety recommendations and locally calibrated fertiliser and pest-control advice. Start small (a demonstration block or a few rows) and scale up after you confirm performance under your field conditions.

Final practical checklist before you start

  • Decide main objective: leaf production (sericulture) or fruit market — this determines variety and spacing.
  • Source healthy, certified saplings from local nurseries.
  • Plan irrigation (drip recommended) and prepare organic matter for planting.
  • Mark planting layout and prepare pits at the start of monsoon or just after for best establishment.
  • Set a pruning and pest-monitoring calendar and keep records of input costs and yields.

Mulberry (shahtoot) can be a resilient, income-generating crop around Junagadh if you match variety to purpose, manage water carefully and follow straightforward pruning and pest-control practices. Start with a small block, learn the timing for your site, and expand as you build experience and market links.

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Ranjeet Natarajan
Ranjeet Natarajan

Contributing writer at Agriculture Novel — telling the stories that sustain us.

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