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How to Grow Mulberry (Shahtoot) in Odisha: A Practical Guide

This guide covers site selection, suitable varieties, propagation, planting, irrigation, nutrition, pruning, pest control and harvesting for mulberry (shahtoot) cultivation in Odisha.

Ranjeet Natarajan
Ranjeet Natarajan August 9, 2026 6 min read 1,065 words
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How to Grow Mulberry (Shahtoot) in Odisha: A Practical Guide

Why grow mulberry (shahtoot) in Odisha?

Mulberry (Morus spp.), locally called shahtoot, is a multipurpose small tree. In Odisha it is grown for fresh fruit, dry fruits, shade, fodder and most importantly as feed for sericulture (silkworms). Mulberry adapts well to the state’s tropical to subtropical climate when you select suitable varieties and match cultural practices to local soils and rainfall.

Climate and soil requirements

  • Climate: Prefers warm conditions. Performs well in areas with mean annual temperatures from 18–30°C. Young plants tolerate some humidity; well-drained soils are essential to avoid root rot.
  • Rainfall: Tolerates 800–1500 mm annual rainfall. In heavier rainfall zones ensure raised beds or ridges for drainage.
  • Soil: Best on well-drained loamy soils with good organic matter. Tolerates pH 5.5–8.0. Avoid waterlogged and compacted soils.

Choose varieties based on your end use—leaf production for silkworms, fruit for fresh market, or dual-purpose.

  • Local/indigenous types: Often better adapted to local pests and climate and good for fruit and shade. Use them where market demand is for traditional taste.
  • High-leaf varieties: If raising silkworms, select high-yielding, tender-leaf varieties recommended by regional sericulture departments. These are bred for palatability and yield.
  • Improved cultivars: Look for regional recommendations (nurseries and KVKs in Odisha can advise specific cultivar names). Avoid planting untested exotic clones without local trial.

Propagation and nursery practices

  • Propagate by stem cuttings (hardwood or semi-hardwood) or root suckers. Cuttings 30–40 cm long with 2–3 nodes root well when treated with a rooting hormone and kept moist.
  • Nursery beds: Use well-drained raised beds, mix topsoil with compost or well-rotted farmyard manure 1:1. Maintain partial shade for young plants.
  • Hardening: Gradually expose seedlings to sun over 2–3 weeks before transplanting to the field.

Land preparation and planting

  • Land prep: Deep ploughing, remove weeds and incorporate 5–10 t/ha of farmyard manure or compost depending on soil organic matter.
  • Planting time: In Odisha transplant at the end of the monsoon (September–October) or at the start of the wet season to ensure establishment. In well-irrigated blocks, early monsoon planting also works.
  • Spacing: For high-density leaf production (hedge-row system) 1–1.5 m within rows and 1–1.5 m between rows. For orchard-style fruit and multi-purpose trees, use 4–5 m x 4–5 m spacing.
  • Planting method: Dig pits 45×45×45 cm, mix topsoil with compost, place plant so graft union or root collar is at soil level, backfill and water thoroughly.

Irrigation and water management

  • Establishment: Keep young plants well watered for first 6–8 weeks—twice weekly in dry periods. Mulch around the base to conserve moisture and suppress weeds.
  • Mature trees: Mulberry is fairly drought-tolerant but yields decline without regular moisture. In dry spells irrigate every 7–14 days depending on soil type and tree age.
  • Methods: Drip irrigation is efficient and supports high leaf production for sericulture. Basin irrigation works for orchards if water is plentiful.

Nutrition and fertliser schedule

  • Baseline: Soil test first. General recommendation for well-prepared soils: apply FYM or compost annually (5–10 kg per tree for orchards; higher per-area rates for hedges).
  • NPK guidance: A balanced application such as 100–150 g N, 50–75 g P2O5, 75–100 g K2O per mature tree per year is a starting point—split doses across the growing season. For high-leaf systems follow local extension guidelines adjusted to yield targets.
  • Micronutrients: Zinc and boron deficiencies show up in many soils—use as needed based on symptoms or testing.

Pruning and canopy management

  • Training young trees: Establish a strong scaffold framework; remove competing leaders and shape the tree for accessibility.
  • Regular pruning: For leaf production, use short-rotation coppicing (cutting back to 40–60 cm to stimulate tender shoots) every 6–8 months depending on variety and growth. For fruit trees prune to maintain an open canopy, remove dead wood and shape for light penetration.
  • Sanitation: Prune out diseased or infested branches; burn or destroy infected material to reduce pest carryover.

Pests and diseases—practical control

  • Common pests: Scale insects, mealybugs, caterpillars and mites. Monitor regularly and use targeted control—soap or neem-based sprays for small infestations, selective insecticides for higher pressure following label directions and safety practices.
  • Diseases: Root rot in waterlogged soils, powdery mildew on leaves and leaf spot diseases. Ensure good drainage, proper spacing, and remove affected foliage. Fungicide sprays only when necessary and as per local recommendations.
  • Integrated practices: Encourage natural enemies, maintain field hygiene, avoid indiscriminate pesticide use—especially important if leaves will feed silkworms.

Harvesting and post-harvest

  • Fruit harvest: Pick berries when fully colored and soft. Handle gently—mulberry fruits bruise and have short shelf life. For markets, harvest in the cool part of the day and pack in shallow trays.
  • Leaf harvest for silkworms: Harvest young, tender leaves. Multiple pickings per year are possible with hedgerow systems—plan rotations so silkworms always get fresh leaves.
  • Storage: Leaves should be used fresh for sericulture; for other uses process quickly or chill if possible to extend life a little.

Intercropping and farm integration

  • Short-term intercrops: In early years intercrop with light-demanding crops that don’t compete heavily for water—groundnut, green gram—depending on spacing and shade.
  • Agroforestry: Mulberry hedgerows can be integrated into field boundaries. Consider livestock fodder use and composting leaf pruning residues to close nutrient loops.
  • Sericulture link: If growing for silk, coordinate leaf production schedule with rearing cycles and maintain pesticide-free practices.

Economics and marketing

Decide at the start whether you grow for fruit markets, leaf for silkworms, or dual-purpose. Fruit demands quick turnover and access to nearby markets due to perishability. Leaf production for sericulture can supply local cooperatives or private rearers—connect early with buyers; quality and pesticide-free status matter.

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Practical tips for Odisha growers

  • Visit your local Krishi Vigyan Kendra (KVK) or sericulture department for variety recommendations and demonstrations suited to your district.
  • Start small and trial one or two varieties on your farm to see how they perform, particularly for leaf quality if you will rear silkworms.
  • Keep detailed records of planting date, pruning cycles, fertilizer doses and yields—this practical knowledge is more valuable than general recommendations.
  • Avoid broad-spectrum pesticides if leaves are intended for silkworms; use biocontrols and cultural measures instead.

Conclusion

Mulberry (shahtoot) fits well into many farming systems in Odisha when you choose appropriate varieties and follow simple cultural practices: good site selection, timely irrigation, balanced nutrition and regular pruning. For growers linked to sericulture, leaf quality and pesticide-free production are critical. Use local extension services and start with small trials to build a resilient, productive mulberry patch that meets your farm goals.

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Ranjeet Natarajan
Ranjeet Natarajan

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

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