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Mulberry (Shahtoot) in India’s Rice Bowl: Complete Cultivation Guide

This practical guide covers mulberry (shahtoot) cultivation in the rice-bowl regions of India, from site selection and propagation through care, harvest and realistic marketing options.

Ranjeet Natarajan
Ranjeet Natarajan August 9, 2026 5 min read 1,015 words
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Mulberry (Shahtoot) in India's Rice Bowl: Complete Cultivation Guide

Why mulberry in the rice-bowl?

Mulberry (shahtoot, mainly Morus alba and related species) fits well in rice-growing landscapes because it tolerates a range of soils, can serve as a windbreak or boundary crop, and offers diversified income: leaves for sericulture, fresh fruit for local markets, and processed products. The crop suits smallholdings and mixed farming systems where farmers want an additional perennial income.

Choose the right type and site

Decide what you need: leaf production for silkworms is the most consistent market in many rice regions; fruit production requires different varieties and management. White mulberry (Morus alba) is preferred for leaf quality and regrowth; darker-fruited species are chosen for fruit markets.

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  • Soil: Mulberry grows on a wide range of soils but prefers fertile, well-drained soils. Avoid waterlogged sites; raised beds or mounds can help in heavy soils.
  • pH: Tolerant of slightly acidic to neutral soils; prefer pH between roughly 5.5 and 7.5.
  • Climate: Performs well in tropical and subtropical rice-belt climates. Young plants need protection from prolonged waterlogging and from frost in cooler pockets.
  • Water table: Avoid saline groundwater. Good irrigation access helps establish trees and supports multiple leaf harvests.

Propagation and planting

Common propagation methods are hardwood cuttings, stump planting, grafting and root suckers. For quick establishment and uniformity, use healthy hardwood cuttings or grafted saplings from a reliable source.

  • Cuttings: Use hardwood cuttings 25–40 cm long with 2–3 nodes. Plant them angled or vertical, keeping one or two nodes above ground to encourage sprouting.
  • Nursery: Raise plants in polythene bags or beds for 3–6 months until 30–60 cm tall before transplanting.
  • Planting time: In rice-belt zones, plant at the beginning of the rainy season or shortly after when soil moisture is adequate but fields are not waterlogged.
  • Spacing: For leaf-oriented plantations use closer spacing (e.g., 3 x 3 m) to maximize leaf area per hectare; for fruit or timber aim wider spacing (4–5 x 4–5 m). Closer spacing facilitates pruning and harvesting for leaves but requires active canopy management.

Soil preparation and planting technique

Prepare pits or planting positions free of weeds. Incorporate well-decomposed farmyard manure or compost at planting to jump-start growth.

  • Dig planting holes slightly larger than the rootball or cutting base.
  • Mix native soil with compost/farmyard manure and backfill. Firm the soil gently to remove air pockets and water well after planting.
  • Mulch around the base to conserve moisture and suppress weeds.

Irrigation and water management

Mulberry needs regular moisture particularly during establishment and before leaf harvests. In rice-belt areas you can often time irrigation with off-season water availability.

  • Keep the first year soil consistently moist; avoid waterlogging.
  • After establishment, irrigate during dry spells to maintain leaf quality—mulch helps reduce irrigation demands.
  • Drainage is key in heavy soils. Use raised rows or ridges if fields hold water during monsoon.

Nutrient management

Mulberry responds well to regular organic additions and balanced fertilizer. Frequent leaf harvests remove nutrients, so replenish soil fertility each year.

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  • Apply well-decomposed farmyard manure or compost annually—20–40 kg per young tree is a practical on-farm range for smallholders; increase with tree age and intensity of leaf harvesting.
  • Topdress with nitrogen in split applications during the growing season to support leaf flushes. Add phosphorus and potassium according to soil tests or local extension advice.
  • Fertilize around the dripline; avoid direct contact with stems.

Pruning and canopy management

Pruning determines whether the plantation is optimized for leaves or fruit. Regular pruning encourages vigorous new shoots and makes harvesting easier.

  • Leaf systems: Coppice or cut back trees to a low stool to stimulate multiple shoots; maintain manageable height for picking (1–2.5 m depending on labour practices).
  • Fruit systems: Train into a few scaffold branches and thin annually to allow light and air penetration.
  • Sanitary pruning removes dead, diseased or crossing branches and reduces pest habitat.

Pests and diseases—practical control

Common problems include sap-sucking insects (scale, mealybug), defoliators, powdery mildew, and root rot where drainage is poor. For leaf production, monitoring is critical because leaf quality affects silkworm rearing.

  • Inspect regularly; early removal of infested shoots prevents spread.
  • Maintain tree vigour through nutrition and pruning—stressed trees attract pests.
  • Use tolerant varieties if available, and biological controls (natural predators) as first line. If chemical control is necessary, follow label rates and withholding periods, especially when leaves are destined for silkworms or food markets.
  • Improve drainage and avoid prolonged wetness to reduce root and collar rots.

Harvesting: leaves and fruit

Harvest practices differ by end use.

  • Leaves for sericulture: Leaves are harvested as flushes; timing and quality are critical for silkworm rearing. Young, tender leaves are highest quality. Plan harvest schedules in coordination with local silk rearers—multiple harvests per year are common under active management.
  • Fruits: Harvest when ripe; gentle handling preserves quality. Sort and cool quickly for market. Fruit can be sold fresh locally, processed into jams or pickles, or frozen where facilities exist.

Post-harvest and marketing

Know your market before planting. In many rice-belt regions the most reliable outlet is leaves to sericulture clusters; fruits often fetch seasonal prices and need quick sale or processing.

  • For leaves, establish links with local silk-rearing units or cooperatives. Quality (tenderness, absence of pest damage) and timely supply matter more than volume alone.
  • For fruit, target local markets, roadside vendors, and small-scale processors. Diversify with preserved products (jam, squash) to stretch returns beyond the fresh season.
  • Record keeping (planting date, harvest dates, inputs, buyers and prices) helps improve profitability over seasons.

Practical tips for rice-bowl farmers

  • Integrate mulberry along field edges, bunds or as boundary rows to avoid taking up prime rice land initially.
  • Use mulching and farmyard manure from paddy residues to recycle nutrients and retain soil moisture.
  • Start small and scale up once markets and husbandry practices are established—mulberry is perennial and commitment is multi-year.
  • Work with local extension, sericulture departments or farmer groups to access planting material and market links.

Conclusion

Mulberry (shahtoot) can be a productive, low-maintenance perennial for rice-belt farms when matched to market and managed for water, nutrients and pests. Prioritise reliable propagation material, plan spacing and pruning for your intended product (leaves or fruit), and build solid buyer relationships before committing large areas.

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Ranjeet Natarajan
Ranjeet Natarajan

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

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