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Mulberry (Shahtoot) Farming in the Western Ghats

A hands-on guide for farmers in the Western Ghats on establishing and managing mulberry (shahtoot) for fruit and leaf production, with seasonal care, irrigation, pruning and pest-control tips.

Ranjeet Natarajan
Ranjeet Natarajan August 9, 2026 6 min read 1,186 words
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Mulberry (Shahtoot) Farming in the Western Ghats

Why mulberry in the Western Ghats?

Mulberry (commonly called shahtoot in parts of India) is well suited to the Western Ghats when matched to the right site and management. The region’s high rainfall, warm-humid climate and varied elevation allow both fruit production and leaf production for silkworms. Success hinges on choosing appropriate varieties, good land preparation, and seasonal care to handle heavy monsoon rains and humid pest pressures.

Site selection and climate considerations

  • Choose sites with good drainage. Lateritic soils are common in the Ghats; mulberry will perform if the plot does not remain waterlogged after monsoon showers.
  • Elevation: mulberry grows from near sea level to mid-elevations. Select varieties adapted to your microclimate—some perform better in cooler mid-hill conditions.
  • Aspect and wind: protect young plants from strong winds and cold drafts at higher elevations. On gentle slopes, contour planting reduces erosion.
  • Water availability: even with heavy monsoon rains, mulberry needs supplemental irrigation during dry spells for consistent leaf and fruit yields.

Soil and soil testing

Conduct a basic soil test before planting. Important targets:

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  • pH: mulberry tolerates slightly acidic to neutral soils (roughly pH 5.5–7.5). Acidic soils are common in the Ghats—if pH is very low, lime application based on test results will help.
  • Structure and drainage: prefer loamy or sandy-loam soils. Improve heavy clays with organic matter and by planting on raised beds or ridges to avoid waterlogging.
  • Organic matter: increase soil organic carbon with compost or well-decomposed farmyard manure to improve structure and microbial health.

Variety and planting material

Select planting material based on your production goal:

  • Fruit production (fresh market): choose fruiting varieties known locally for fruit size, taste and shelf life. Consult nearby orchards or agricultural universities for proven selections.
  • Leaf production for sericulture: prefer high-yielding, nutritious cultivars used by local silk producers.
  • Propagation: mulberry propagates easily by hardwood or semi-hardwood cuttings, root suckers or tissue-culture saplings. Use healthy, disease-free stock and source from reputable nurseries.

Planting layout and spacing

Spacing depends on the objective:

  • For fruit trees: common spacing is wider to allow canopy development (for example, 4–6 m between trees). Wider spacing aids air circulation and spray access.
  • For leaf production (intensive/Silk): closer spacing with rows and stools that allow frequent leaf harvests. Commonly, high-density systems use rows at 1.5–2.5 m with stools spaced 0.75–1.5 m within rows.

Lay out trenches or pits before planting. Mix topsoil with compost in the planting hole. Plant at the same depth as nursery containers, firm the soil, and water immediately.

Establishment care (first 12–18 months)

  • Irrigation: keep soil moist but not waterlogged. Increase frequency during dry months and after planting until the canopy is established.
  • Weed control: weeds compete heavily in the first year. Use mulching, manual weeding or shallow hoeing to keep the root zone clean.
  • Stake young plants to protect from wind and allow straight growth.
  • Starter fertiliser: follow soil test recommendations. Where soil testing is not available, use a balanced approach—apply organic manure at planting and top up with small split doses of N in the first year to encourage shoot growth.

Nutrition and fertilisation

Mulberry is a heavy feeder. Base fertiliser programmes on soil tests, but key principles are:

  • Apply well-decomposed organic manure or compost annually to maintain soil organic matter and microbial activity.
  • Nitrogen promotes leaf growth; phosphorus supports root establishment; potassium improves overall plant health and fruit quality. Split N applications across the growing season for leaf crops.
  • Foliar zinc or micronutrients can be useful where deficiencies are known—leaf analysis helps identify issues.

Irrigation and water management

Good water management is essential in the Ghats:

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  • During monsoon, avoid waterlogging: use raised beds or mounds and ensure surface drainage channels direct excess water away.
  • In the dry season, irrigate to maintain steady growth—drip irrigation is efficient for both water and fertiliser delivery and reduces foliar disease risk from overhead wetting.
  • Mulching conserves moisture, moderates soil temperature and reduces weeds.

Pruning and canopy management

Pruning depends on whether the crop is for leaves or fruit:

  • Leaf production: coppice or pollard stools encourage vigorous new shoots which provide harvestable leaves. A regular cutting cycle (e.g., multiple harvests per year) is typical—timing depends on variety and growth rate.
  • Fruit production: establish a strong scaffold structure in the first 2–3 years. Annual pruning in the dormant or less active growth period shapes the tree, removes diseased wood and opens the canopy for light and spray penetration.
  • Sterilize pruning tools between cuts when disease pressure is high to avoid spreading pathogens.

Pests and diseases—practical control

Humid conditions in the Western Ghats favour several pests and diseases. Monitor regularly and act early:

  • Common pests: leaf-eating caterpillars, aphids, mealybugs, scales and whiteflies. Use regular scouting and release or conserve natural enemies (predatory beetles, parasitoids). For heavy infestations, use spot treatments with recommended insecticides or biopesticides following local guidance.
  • Diseases: leaf spot, powdery mildew and root rot can occur in wet, poorly drained soils. Improve air circulation, avoid overhead irrigation where possible, remove and destroy heavily infected material, and apply fungicides only when necessary and registered locally.
  • Sanitation: clear fallen leaves and pruned material away from the orchard during wetter months to reduce disease inoculum.

Harvesting and post-harvest tips

Harvest technique differs by end use:

  • Leaf harvests: pick tender leaves early in the morning when turgor is highest. Handle gently to avoid bruising. For sericulture, follow the cocoon producer’s quality requirements (leaf moisture, age and variety).
  • Fruit harvests: pick ripe fruits by hand. Mulberries are delicate and bruise easily—harvest into shallow crates, shade immediately and move quickly to market or cold storage where available.
  • Post-harvest: rapid cooling and gentle handling extend marketability. For value-added, consider local processing options—jam, drying or freezing—but check market demand and cost.

Record keeping and economics

Keep simple records of planting dates, pruning, fertiliser applications, pest events and yields. These allow you to adjust management and calculate real costs and returns for your site. Small trials with different varieties or spacings on a few rows can reveal what works best under your specific conditions before scaling up.

Practical seasonal checklist for the Western Ghats

  • Pre-monsoon: check drainage, apply lime if needed, prepare planting sites, plant new material at the onset of rains.
  • Monsoon: monitor for waterlogging and fungal disease; keep drainage open; limit heavy nitrogen applications at peak wet times.
  • Post-monsoon/early dry: apply organic amendments, start structured fertiliser programme, prune to shape and remove dead wood.
  • Dry season: irrigate for consistent leaf growth and fruit development; mulch to conserve moisture.

Final practical tips

  • Work with local extension services, university trials or experienced growers to select the right variety and learn region-specific timing.
  • Invest time in nursery hygiene and healthy planting material—this pays off each season.
  • Consider phased expansion. If your first block is successful, scale incrementally and refine spacing, pruning and harvest cycles based on real farm data.

Mulberry can be a resilient and profitable crop in the Western Ghats when matched to appropriate varieties and managed for water, drainage and disease. Practical local knowledge—timing of pruning, choice of planting material and careful moisture management—makes the difference between mediocre and reliable production.

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Ranjeet Natarajan
Ranjeet Natarajan

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

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