Mulberry (Shahtoot) in Nagpur: Complete Cultivation Guide

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Why Mulberry is a Smart Bet for Nagpur Farmers

For generations, the agricultural identity of the Vidarbha region, with Nagpur at its heart, has been tied to cotton and oranges. But the savvy farmer knows that diversification is the key to resilience. Mulberry, or Shahtoot as we know it, presents a compelling and often overlooked opportunity. It’s not just another fruit tree; it’s a dual-purpose powerhouse perfectly suited to our region’s challenges and opportunities.

Here’s the practical wisdom behind betting on mulberry:

• Economic Resilience through Dual Income: This is the most powerful argument for Shahtoot. You are not planting one crop; you are planting two potential income streams. The first is high-demand sericulture—rearing silkworms on mulberry leaves. The Indian government, through the Central Silk Board, actively promotes sericulture with subsidies and a structured market. The second stream is horticulture—selling the delicious, high-value Shahtoot fruit, which has a growing niche market among health-conscious urban consumers. You can choose one path or integrate both.
• Climatic Adaptability: Nagpur’s scorching summers and relatively dry spells can be tough on many crops. Mulberry is a survivor. Once its deep root system is established, it exhibits remarkable drought tolerance. It thrives in the sun that defines our region and can withstand the heat far better than more delicate horticultural crops. This hardiness reduces risk and irrigation costs over the long term.
• Soil Versatility: While it prefers well-drained loamy soils, mulberry is not excessively fussy. It can perform well in the black cotton soils (Vertisols) and red soils common around Nagpur, provided waterlogging is avoided. With proper land preparation and soil amendments, our native soils can be made ideal for a thriving mulberry plantation.
• Fast Growth and Quicker Returns: The wait for returns is significantly shorter than with traditional orchards. For sericulture, you can begin leaf harvesting within 6-8 months of planting. For fruit, a meaningful harvest can be expected within 2-3 years. This rapid turnaround is crucial for managing cash flow and seeing a faster return on your initial investment of time and capital.

In short, mulberry is not a theoretical experiment. It is a practical, resilient, and economically sound choice that aligns with the need for climate-smart agriculture in the Vidarbha region.

Choosing the Right Mulberry Variety: The Foundation of Success

Your entire enterprise—whether for leaf or for fruit—hinges on selecting the right variety. Planting the wrong type is a mistake that costs years and significant investment to correct. Your choice must be deliberate and aligned with your primary goal.

Varieties for Sericulture (Leaf Production)

If your focus is rearing silkworms, your only metrics are leaf yield, nutritional quality, and regrowth rate. The fruit is irrelevant.

• Victory-1 (V-1): This is the undisputed champion for sericulture in most of India, and it performs exceptionally well in our conditions. It’s a product of extensive research by the Central Sericultural Research and Training Institute (CSRTI), Mysore. Its leaves are large, thick, succulent, and packed with the protein that silkworms need to produce high-quality cocoons. V-1 is known for its high biomass yield (18-24 tonnes of leaf per acre per year under good management) and vigorous regrowth after pruning. This should be your default choice for a commercial sericulture venture.
• S-1635: Another popular variety developed by CSRTI, S-1635 is known for its wide adaptability and good leaf moisture content. While V-1 often has a slight edge in total yield, S-1635 is a very reliable alternative and responds well to standard cultivation practices.
• G-4: A newer-generation variety known for very high yields and excellent leaf quality. It can be slightly more demanding in terms of nutrient and water management but offers top-tier productivity for experienced farmers looking to maximize output.

Varieties for Horticulture (Fruit Production)

If you aim to sell fresh fruit, your priorities shift to taste, size, appearance, and shelf life. Leaf yield becomes secondary.

• Shahtoot ‘Long Black’ (Morus nigra): This is the classic, high-value Shahtoot. It produces large, elongated, deep purple-to-black fruits that are intensely sweet with a pleasant tartness. They command the best prices in the market. However, be aware that the fruit is delicate, has a short shelf life, and requires careful handling and a direct-to-market supply chain.
• ‘Dwarf Everbearing’: An excellent choice for smaller plots, integrated farm models, or even home gardens. This variety, often a hybrid, grows as a smaller bush or tree and produces fruit over a longer season rather than in one concentrated flush. The fruit is typically medium-sized and sweet. Its manageable size makes harvesting easier.
• ‘White Mulberry’ (Morus alba): While many sericulture varieties are technically Morus alba, certain selections are grown for their fruit. The fruits are very sweet, often lacking the tartness of black varieties. They are less common in commercial markets but can be a unique offering for direct-to-consumer sales.

Practical Recommendation for Nagpur: For a dedicated sericulture project, plant V-1. Source your cuttings or saplings from the Directorate of Sericulture, Maharashtra State, or a Central Silk Board recognized nursery to ensure genetic purity. For a fruit orchard, ‘Long Black’ offers the highest commercial potential if you have a plan for marketing. For a mixed-use farm or backyard planting, ‘Dwarf Everbearing’ provides a steady supply with less intensive management.

Step-by-Step Guide to Orchard Establishment

A strong start is half the battle won. Follow these steps methodically to lay the groundwork for a productive and long-lasting mulberry plantation.

1. Site Selection and Land Preparation (April – May)

   Sunlight: Choose a plot that receives at least 8 hours of direct, unfiltered sunlight per day. Mulberry does not perform well in shade.
   
   Soil & Drainage: The land must be well-drained. Avoid low-lying areas that collect water during the monsoon. If you have heavy black soil, consider planting on raised beds or ensuring surface drains are in place. Test the soil pH; a range of 6.2 to 6.8 is ideal, but mulberry tolerates a slightly wider range.
   
   Ploughing: In the heat of April or May, give the land a deep ploughing (30-45 cm). This opens up the soil, improves water infiltration, and, most importantly, exposes dormant pests, pupae, and weed seeds to the harsh sun, providing natural sterilization.

2. Layout, Pit Digging, and Manuring (May – June)

   Spacing is Critical: Your spacing depends entirely on your purpose.
   
   – For Sericulture (High Density): A spacing of 3 ft x 3 ft (paired row system) or a standard 5 ft x 5 ft is common. This accommodates around 1900 to 4800 plants per acre, maximizing leaf harvest per unit area.
   
   – For Horticulture (Fruit): Give the trees space to develop a full canopy. A spacing of 12 ft x 12 ft or even 15 ft x 15 ft is necessary. This accommodates roughly 200-300 plants per acre.
   
   Digging the Pits: Dig pits well in advance of the monsoon.
   
   – For sericulture, pits of 2 ft x 2 ft x 2 ft (60x60x60 cm) are sufficient.
   
   – For fruit trees, dig larger pits of 3 ft x 3 ft x 3 ft (90x90x90 cm) to encourage deeper root growth.
   
   The Golden Mixture: Do not just refill the pits with the same soil. Create a nutrient-rich mixture for each pit: Mix the excavated topsoil with 10-15 kg of fully decomposed Farm Yard Manure (FYM) or good quality vermicompost, 500g of Single Super Phosphate (SSP), and to prevent root diseases, add 50g of a bio-agent like Trichoderma viride. Fill the pits with this mixture. The first monsoon showers will help it settle.

3. Planting (June – July)

   Timing: The best time to plant is with the onset of the monsoon. The cloudy weather and moist soil reduce transplant shock and ensure high survival rates.
   
   Selecting Saplings: Use 6-8 month old healthy saplings or well-rooted cuttings. The saplings should have a stem thickness of about a pencil and show no signs of disease or pests.
   
   Planting Technique: Open the center of the refilled pit. Gently cut and remove the black polybag without disturbing the root ball. Place the sapling upright in the hole, ensuring the soil level is the same as it was in the bag. Backfill with soil, press firmly around the base to eliminate air pockets, and create a small basin (‘thala’) for watering.
   
   Immediate Watering: Water the plant immediately after planting, even if the soil is moist. This helps settle the soil around the roots.

4. Initial Care

   For the first few months, provide support with a small bamboo stake to protect the young plant from wind. If the monsoon has a dry spell, provide irrigation every 4-5 days. Keep the basin around the plant free of weeds.

Integrated Nutrient and Water Management

Mulberry is a fast-growing plant that responds vigorously to timely nutrition and water. An integrated approach, combining organic and chemical inputs, will give you the best results in a sustainable way.

Fertilizer Schedule: Feeding the Crop

The nutrient requirement for a leaf crop is very different from a fruit crop.

For Sericulture (High-Density Leaf Production)

This is an intensive system. You are removing enormous biomass 5-6 times a year, and those nutrients must be replenished. The general recommendation for one acre of established mulberry is 140 kg Nitrogen (N), 60 kg Phosphorus (P), and 60 kg Potassium (K) per year.

Practical Application: You don’t apply this all at once. You split it into 5-6 doses, one after each leaf harvest and pruning.

– Organic Base: Apply 8-10 tonnes of FYM or vermicompost per acre annually, usually in two split doses during inter-cultivation operations.

– After Each Pruning (per acre dose): Apply approximately 55 kg Urea (for N), 75 kg SSP (for P), and 25 kg Muriate of Potash (MOP) (for K). The P & K can also be given in two larger splits per year. Apply the fertilizer after light irrigation, incorporate it into the soil, and follow up with another irrigation.

For Horticulture (Fruit Production)

The focus here is on balanced growth and quality fruit, not just biomass.

– Years 1-3 (Growth Phase): Annually apply 15-20 kg of FYM per tree. For chemical fertilizers, a dose of 100g N, 60g P, and 60g K per tree per year is sufficient. Split this into two applications, one in June-July and the other in September-October.

– Mature Trees (4+ years): Increase the organic manure to 25-30 kg of FYM per tree. The chemical dose should be increased to 500g N, 250g P, and 250g K per tree per year. This translates to roughly 1.1 kg Urea, 1.5 kg SSP, and 420g MOP per tree. Apply this in two splits:

1. First half: Immediately after winter pruning (January). This fuels the growth that will bear fruit.

2. Second half: After the fruit harvest is complete (April-May). This helps the tree recover and build reserves for the next season.

Irrigation Strategy: Water is Life

In Nagpur’s climate, efficient water management is non-negotiable. Drip irrigation is highly recommended. It saves 40-60% of water compared to flood irrigation, reduces weed growth, minimizes foliar diseases, and allows for precise nutrient delivery through fertigation.

Irrigation Schedule (with Drip System):

– Summer (March – June): This is a high-stress period. Irrigate every 4-5 days. For fruit trees, the flowering and fruit development stage is critical; water stress now will cause severe fruit drop.

– Winter (November – February): The plant’s water needs are lower. Irrigate every 10-12 days.

– Monsoon (July – October): Irrigate only if there is a prolonged dry spell of more than 15 days.
Check soil moisture before irrigating. The goal is to maintain consistent moisture, not to create waterlogged conditions.

Pruning and Training: Shaping the Plant for Profit

Pruning is not just cutting branches; it is a conversation with the plant. You are directing its energy towards your goal, whether that is a flush of new leaves or an abundance of fruit.

Pruning for Sericulture

The goal is to maximize the production of high-quality leaves and make harvesting easy. A low-cut, bush-type structure is desired.

1. Initial Training (First 6 months): Let the main stem grow to a height of about 5 feet. Then, perform the first pruning by cutting the stem back to a height of just 10-12 inches from the ground. This is called ‘bottom pruning’ and it encourages the sprouting of multiple shoots from the base, forming a bush.

2. Harvest Pruning: In sericulture, harvesting and pruning are often the same act. You will harvest leaves 5-6 times a year, timed with your silkworm rearing batches. After each harvest, the branches are cut back, leaving a stump of about one foot. This stimulates a new, uniform flush of tender leaves for the next batch of worms. This constant cycle of pruning and regrowth is what makes mulberry so productive for sericulture.

Pruning for Horticulture (Fruit)

Here, the objective is to build a strong, open framework that can support a heavy fruit load and allow sunlight to penetrate all parts of the tree, which is essential for fruit quality and colour.

1. Initial Training (Years 1-2): The goal is to establish a strong structure. An ‘open centre’ system works well. After the first year of growth, select 3-4 strong, well-spaced branches radiating from the main trunk at a height of 2-3 feet from the ground. Remove all other branches. In the second year, prune these main branches back by about one-third to encourage secondary branching.

2. Annual Maintenance Pruning (Mature Trees): This is the most important pruning, done once a year in the dormant season (late December to January).

• Clean: Remove all dead, diseased, and weak branches.
• Thin: Cut out any branches that are crossing over each other or growing towards the center of the tree. This opens up the canopy for better air circulation and sunlight.
• Head Back: Mulberry fruits on the current season’s growth. To encourage this new growth, lightly prune the tips of the previous year’s shoots. This stimulates the buds just below the cut to break and form new, fruit-bearing shoots.

Never be afraid to prune a fruit-bearing mulberry tree. A hard-pruned tree will produce a smaller quantity of larger, higher-quality fruits, while a lightly pruned tree will produce a larger quantity of smaller fruits.

Pest and Disease Management: An Integrated Approach

Vigilance is your best tool. A small problem identified early is easy to manage. An infestation left unchecked can devastate your crop, especially the leaves for sericulture.

Common Pests

• Tukra Disease (Pink Mealybug – Maconellicoccus hirsutus): This is the most destructive pest of mulberry. It infests the terminal buds, sucking the sap and injecting toxins. This leads to stunted, crinkled, and bunched leaves at the shoot tip, a condition called ‘Tukra’. The leaves become useless for silkworms.
  
  Control: Immediately prune and burn the affected shoots. Encourage natural predators like the ladybird beetle, Cryptolaemus montrouzieri. For severe infestations, a targeted spray of Profenofos 50 EC (2 ml/L) or Buprofezin 25 SC (2 ml/L) can be effective. Crucially, observe a safe period of at least 15-20 days between spraying and leaf harvest for silkworms.
• Leaf Roller (Diaphania pulverulentalis): The caterpillar of this moth folds the leaf edges and feeds from inside the protective roll. This reduces the effective leaf area.
  
  Control: In low infestations, simply hand-pick and destroy the rolled leaves. Setting up light traps at night can catch adult moths. If the problem persists, a spray of Chlorantraniliprole 18.5% SC (0.4 ml/L) is effective and relatively safe for beneficial insects.
• Stem Borer (Batocera rufomaculata): The grub of this large beetle bores into the main stem and thick branches. You’ll see holes on the stem with chewed-up wood particles and excreta pushed out. An affected branch will wilt and die.
  
  Control: This requires manual intervention. Clean the bore hole with a wire, then soak a small piece of cotton in a contact insecticide like Dichlorvos 76% EC (5 ml/L) or even petrol, insert it into the hole, and plug the opening with wet mud. This traps the fumes inside and kills the grub.

Common Diseases

• Powdery Mildew (Phyllactinia corylea): You’ll see a white, powdery coating, primarily on the lower surface of mature leaves. It’s common in humid and cooler weather. It reduces the nutritional value of the leaves.
  
  Control: Improve air circulation through proper pruning. If the disease appears, spray wettable sulphur (2 g/L) or Dinocap 48% EC (1 ml/L). Sulphur is an economical and effective choice.
• Leaf Spot (Cercospora moricola): This fungal disease causes small, circular brown spots on the leaves, which can later enlarge and develop a greyish-white center. Severely infected leaves turn yellow and drop.
  
  Control: Field sanitation is key. Collect and burn fallen leaves. As a preventive or curative measure, spray Carbendazim 50% WP (1 g/L) or Mancozeb 75% WP (2.5 g/L).

The Golden Rule for Sericulture: Always prioritize mechanical and biological controls. Use chemicals as a last resort. If you must spray, do it right after pruning so there is a maximum gap before the next leaf harvest. Never feed recently sprayed leaves to silkworms.

Harvesting, Post-Harvest, and Selling Your Shahtoot

This is where your hard work turns into income. The methods for harvesting leaves and fruits are completely different.

Harvesting Leaves for Sericulture

• Method: There are two main methods: leaf picking (plucking individual leaves) and shoot harvesting (cutting the entire branch). Shoot harvesting is more common and efficient for modern sericulture. It is done along with pruning.
• Timing: Harvest in the cool hours of the morning. Leaves harvested in the heat of the day lose moisture quickly. The leaves should be mature but not old and yellow.
• Post-Harvest: After harvesting, transport the shoots or leaves to the rearing shed immediately. Store them in a cool, clean room, covered with a wet gunny cloth to maintain freshness and moisture until they are fed to the silkworms.

Harvesting and Selling Fruit

• Harvesting Stage: Harvest the fruit when it has achieved full colour (deep purple/black for dark varieties) and is slightly soft to the touch. It should detach from the stem with a gentle pull. An under-ripe mulberry is sour, and an over-ripe one loses its texture.
• Technique: Since the fruit is very delicate, hand-picking is the only method. Harvest directly into small, shallow containers (like plastic punnets or small trays) lined with a soft cloth or paper to prevent bruising. Spreading a clean sheet or tarpaulin under the tree and gently shaking the branches can work for smaller trees, but it increases the risk of damage.
• Post-Harvest Handling: Speed is everything. Cool the fruit as quickly as possible after harvest. Pre-cooling to about 4-5°C can extend its life by a few days. Grade the fruits, removing any damaged, diseased, or under-ripe ones.
• Packaging: Use small, ventilated plastic punnets (100g or 200g capacity) with a lid. This is the standard for retail markets. It prevents crushing and allows for air circulation.
• Selling Strategy for Nagpur:
  • Direct to Consumer: This is your most profitable channel. Sell at farmers’ markets in upscale areas of Nagpur (e.g., near Civil Lines, Ramdaspeth). Set up a farm stall on a main road if your farm is accessible.
  • Retailers & Cafes: Approach high-end grocery stores, organic shops, and trendy cafes that use fresh fruit in desserts and drinks. Their customers are willing to pay a premium for fresh, local produce.
  • Wholesale Market: This should be your last option. The Nagpur wholesale market (Kalamna) is chaotic, and the delicate nature of mulberry means you will likely face low prices and high wastage. Your goal should be to bypass it.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

1. Can I grow mulberry for fruit and use its leaves for a few silkworms at home?

Yes, absolutely. This is an excellent model for integrated farming. If you have a few fruit trees (like ‘Long Black’), you can use the leaves from the annual pruning (in January) and some of the excess summer growth to rear small batches of silkworms. You won’t get the high leaf yield of a V-1, but it’s a great way to get a dual benefit from the same plant.

2. How much can I realistically earn from one acre of sericulture in Nagpur?

It varies greatly with management. With a well-managed V-1 plantation, you can take 5-6 crops of cocoons per year. A single crop can yield 60-80 kg of cocoons per 100 Disease-Free Layings (DFLs). Annually, a skilled farmer can produce 300-400 kg of cocoons per acre. With cocoon prices ranging from ₹500 to ₹800 per kg depending on quality and market demand, the gross income could be anywhere from ₹1,50,000 to over ₹3,00,000 per acre. Your net profit will depend on your input costs (labour, feed, etc.).

3. My mulberry tree is 3 years old but has very little fruit. What am I doing wrong?

There are a few likely reasons. First, improper pruning. Mulberry fruits on new season’s growth. If you are not pruning the tree in winter (Jan), you are not stimulating the new shoots that will bear fruit. Second, lack of nutrition. A fruiting tree needs a good dose of Phosphorus (P) and Potassium (K) along with Nitrogen (N). Ensure you are applying the recommended fertilizer dose for fruiting trees, especially after pruning. Finally, ensure it gets full sun and adequate water during the flowering and fruit-setting period (Feb-March).

4. Is intercropping possible in a mulberry orchard?

Yes, especially in the initial years of a fruit orchard where spacing is wide (12×12 ft or more). For the first 2-3 years, you can grow short-duration crops like legumes (moong, urad), vegetables (leafy greens, beans), or flowers. This provides an additional income and helps suppress weeds. Avoid tall crops like maize or sorghum that would compete for sunlight. In high-density sericulture plantations, intercropping is generally not feasible due to the close spacing.

5. Where do I sell the silkworm cocoons in the Nagpur region?

The Directorate of Sericulture, Government of Maharashtra, has established a network of cocoon markets. The nearest and most relevant market for farmers in the Nagpur division would be in Bhandara, which has a government-regulated cocoon market. Officials from the sericulture department can guide you on the exact dates and procedures for the auction. They also provide technical guidance and support for rearing.

The Final Word: From Planting to Prosperity

Mulberry is more than a crop; it’s a system. It offers a pathway to a more diversified and stable agricultural income for the farmers of Nagpur and Vidarbha. Whether you choose the industrial path of sericulture, with its structured support and steady demand, or the horticultural path of selling delicious fresh fruit to a growing urban market, Shahtoot has the potential to thrive on our land.

The key, as with all farming, lies in phronesis—practical wisdom. It is about choosing the right variety, preparing the land with diligence, feeding and watering the plant with intention, and pruning with a clear purpose. This guide provides the knowledge, but success will come from applying that knowledge in your field, observing your plants, and adapting to their needs. Start small, master the fundamentals, and let this resilient tree become a new pillar of your farm’s prosperity.

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