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Mulberry (Shahtoot) Farming in Jammu & Kashmir

A hands-on guide for Jammu & Kashmir growers on establishing and managing mulberry (shahtoot) orchards, from site selection and propagation to harvest, pest control and marketing.

Ranjeet Natarajan
Ranjeet Natarajan August 9, 2026 6 min read 1,051 words
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Mulberry (Shahtoot) Farming in Jammu & Kashmir

Why mulberry (shahtoot) in Jammu & Kashmir?

Mulberry is well suited to many pockets of Jammu & Kashmir where frost-free windows and well-drained soils occur. Farmers grow mulberry for both fruit markets and sericulture (silkworm feed). Shahtoot (a common local name for some mulberry types) can be productive on terraces, valley floors and irrigated slopes when matched to proper varieties and management.

Site selection and climate

  • Choose a site with full sun and good air circulation; mulberry tolerates a range of temperatures but young plants are sensitive to prolonged standing water and late spring frost.
  • Avoid heavy frost pockets and locations with waterlogging. Gentle slopes and raised plots reduce root disease risk.
  • Mulberry adapts from subtropical to temperate climates; in J&K focus on sites with at least 4–5 frost-free months if you plan fruit production.

Soil requirements and testing

  • Mulberry prefers deep, fertile, well-drained soils with good moisture-holding capacity. Sandy loam to clay loam soils are ideal.
  • Soil pH of 6.0–7.5 is preferred. If your soil is strongly acidic or alkaline, correct pH before planting using local extension advice.
  • Always take a soil test to guide fertilizer and lime recommendations. Key nutrients to check: N, P, K and available organic matter.

Varieties and propagation

Select a variety suited to your end-use:

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  • Fruit varieties: choose types selected for large, sweet berries and firm texture for market transport.
  • Leaf varieties (for sericulture): look for high leaf yield and good nutritive quality for silkworms.

Propagation methods:

  • Hardwood cuttings: the most common and reliable method. Take 1-year-old shoots (30–40 cm) during dormancy and plant in nursery beds or directly in the field.
  • Rooted saplings: raised in polythene bags in a nursery for 6–12 months before transplanting.
  • Air-layering can work for certain cultivars but is labor intensive.

Planting: spacing and layout

  • Common spacings: 3–4 m between trees and 4–6 m between rows for single-tree orchards. Closer spacings with early training can be used for high-density hedgerow systems, especially for leaf production.
  • Layout for terraces: follow contour lines and provide bunds to prevent erosion.
  • Planting time: best done in the spring after the last frost or in autumn where winters are mild; avoid transplanting during severe cold.

Land preparation and planting pits

  • Prepare pits 60–90 cm wide and deep in soils with poor structure; mix uppersoil with well-rotted farmyard manure or compost (10–20 kg per pit) and a starter dose of phosphorus as per soil test.
  • Backfill with a friable mix and firm gently to avoid air pockets. Water the pit before planting then place the sapling so the graft union (if any) is above soil level.
  • Mulch the root zone with organic material to conserve moisture and suppress weeds.

Water management and irrigation

  • Mulberry needs regular watering when establishing. Keep soil moist but not waterlogged in the first 1–2 years.
  • Use drip irrigation where possible to save water and reduce leaf wetness that encourages disease.
  • Reduce watering frequency during winter dormancy. During fruiting and summer growth, maintain consistent moisture for best leaf and fruit quality.

Fertilizer and nutrition

  • Base fertilizer applications on your soil test. A general approach for young orchards: apply balanced NPK with more emphasis on nitrogen during active growth.
  • Side-dress with nitrogen in early spring and again after the first harvest flush if multiple harvests are expected.
  • Apply organic manures annually to maintain soil structure and microbial activity—well-rotted farmyard manure or compost is valuable.

Pruning and training

  • Initial training: head young trees at 60–90 cm to encourage branching and an open framework.
  • Annual pruning: remove dead, weak or crowded shoots to improve light penetration and air movement. Moderate pruning maintains vigor and encourages fresh fruiting wood.
  • For leaf production: train trees as hedgerows and carry out frequent coppicing or pruning cycles to stimulate fresh shoots.

Pests and diseases: practical control

Common issues include aphids, whitefly, mealybugs, scales, caterpillars and leaf fungal diseases. Practical measures:

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  • Monitor regularly—early detection reduces control costs.
  • Encourage natural enemies: maintain flowering plants and avoid unnecessary broad-spectrum insecticides that kill predators.
  • Use targeted controls: soap sprays, neem oil and biologicals for soft-bodied pests. Apply registered insecticides only when thresholds are exceeded and follow label directions.
  • For fungal diseases: improve air flow via pruning, avoid overhead irrigation, and apply fungicides only when needed based on scouting.
  • Sanitation: remove and destroy heavily infested or diseased material.

Harvesting and post-harvest handling

  • Fruits: harvest when fully colored and slightly soft to the touch. Pick carefully to avoid bruising; handle in shallow trays and cool quickly if possible.
  • Leaves: for silkworm feed, harvest the top young leaves and shoots in the morning when turgid. Frequent small harvests maintain leaf quality.
  • Sort and grade fruit quickly; use local markets or processors for fresh sale and value-added products (drying, jam, juice) to lengthen marketability.

Intercropping and farm integration

  • Young mulberry orchards can be intercropped with short-duration vegetables or legumes to earn income before the trees mature—mind the shading as trees grow.
  • Integrate mulberry into mixed farming systems: leaves for silkworms, fruit for markets, prunings for fodder or biomass.

Economics and timeline

  • Establishment costs include land preparation, nursery plants, planting materials, irrigation setup and early care. Labor for training and frequent pruning can be significant.
  • Mulberry takes a couple of years to establish and typically reaches steady production after 3–4 years. Plan cash flow accordingly and use intercrops to supplement income in early years.
  • Market access matters: identify buyers for fresh fruit, processors or sericulture units before scaling up.

Practical tips for Jammu & Kashmir growers

  • Match variety to the local microclimate—consult local extension or experienced growers to select proven cultivars for your district.
  • Start with a small pilot block before expanding—test soils, irrigation needs and market acceptance.
  • Keep good nursery hygiene to avoid introducing pests and diseases; use certified planting material where available.
  • Record keeping: track plant dates, fertilizer, pruning and pest treatments to refine practices each year.

Where to get help

Contact your local Krishi Vigyan Kendra (KVK), state horticulture or sericulture department for location-specific variety recommendations, soil testing services and group training. Farmer cooperatives and buyer groups can reduce marketing risk and improve prices.

Mulberry (shahtoot) can be a resilient and multi-purpose crop in Jammu & Kashmir when you pair suitable sites and varieties with disciplined care—especially water management, pruning and pest monitoring. Start small, learn from each season, and scale up where returns and markets make sense.

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Ranjeet Natarajan
Ranjeet Natarajan

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

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