Growing Mulberry and Silkworms in Bundelkhand
Introduction
Sericulture in Bundelkhand can be a viable, labour‑intensive enterprise if you match mulberry management to local climate and practise strict silkworm hygiene. This guide focuses on what works in the region’s erratic rainfall, hot summers and shallow soils: site choice, practical planting and pruning, leaf handling and the key steps for successful silkworm rearing.
Why mulberry for Bundelkhand?
Morus alba (white mulberry) is the usual choice for Bombyx mori. It withstands pruning, produces frequent leaf flushes and responds quickly to irrigation and fertiliser — important in Bundelkhand where moisture is the limiting factor. With proper care, smallholder plantings can supply high‑quality leaves for 2–3 crops of worms each year.
Site selection and soil
- Choose gentle slopes or flat ground with good drainage; avoid waterlogged pockets.
- Mulberry tolerates a range of soils but prefers deep, loamy soils. On shallow or stony soils, focus on moisture conservation and organic matter.
- Access to reliable irrigation is critical — mulberry flushes require water at predictable intervals.
- Windbreaks reduce leaf drying and desiccation of young shoots; plant rows perpendicular to prevailing winds where possible.
Varieties and where to get planting material
Local agricultural universities, Krishi Vigyan Kendras (KVKs) and state sericulture departments recommend varieties suited to local conditions. In Bundelkhand, growers commonly use high‑leaf yielding, fast‑regenerating Morus alba clones. Before planting, check with your district KVK or sericulture officer for the recommended clone and disease‑free saplings.
Establishing the crop: planting and spacing
Two common systems work well for smallholders:
- Row planting for leaf production (cutting/leaf harvest): plant rows 1.5–2.0 m apart and plants 0.5–1.0 m within rows. This allows mechanised or manual passage for pruning and harvesting.
- High‑density hedgerow system (for frequent leaf crops): double row or hedge systems allow quick coppicing and repeated leaf harvests; maintain access paths for leaf collection.
Planting pits should be well filled with topsoil mixed with compost. Mulch around plants to conserve moisture and reduce weed pressure.
Water management
- Drip irrigation is the most water‑efficient and gives better leaf quality; if not available, use frequent basin or furrow irrigation during flush periods.
- Schedule water to support shoot flushes — young shoots are the material fed to worms, so drought stress at this time reduces leaf quality and rearing success.
- Apply mulch and organic matter to maintain soil moisture between irrigations.
Nutrition and fertilisation
Soil test before setting up a plantation and follow local extension recommendations. Practical on‑farm principles:
- Incorporate well‑decomposed farmyard manure or compost into pits at planting and apply a regular supply annually.
- Top dress with a balanced fertiliser during active growth periods to promote leaf quality; split applications are more efficient than a single large dose.
- Micronutrients can be important where deficiency symptoms appear — foliar sprays of micronutrients can quickly correct shortages during leaf production.
Pruning and leaf harvesting
- Prune to maintain 3–5 main stools per plant; coppice plants to ground level on a scheduled basis to trigger fresh, tender regrowth.
- Timing of pruning depends on planned silkworm crops — prune to synchronise a flush of young leaves with your rearing calendar.
- Harvest leaves in the morning when they are turgid; avoid dusty or wet leaves and transport quickly to the rearing house.
Preparing for silkworm rearing
Silkworm rearing is as much about cleanliness and timing as it is about leaf supply. Key preparation steps:
- Source disease‑free, certified silkworm seed (DFLs) from a reputable grainage or government source. Use fresh seed and avoid late or stressed batches.
- Prepare a dedicated rearing room or house with smooth, washable surfaces, good light and the ability to control temperature and humidity.
- Keep the rearing area free of household smoke, pesticides and rodents. Limit access to trained staff only.
Rearing house environment
- Temperature and humidity: young worms perform best in controlled conditions — generally aim for moderate temperatures (roughly mid‑20s °C) and fairly high relative humidity (around 70–85%). Avoid wide daily swings.
- Light: moderate daylight is sufficient; avoid direct harsh sunlight and draughts.
- Sanitation: wash trays, tables and trays with a mild disinfectant between batches and dry thoroughly before use.
Feeding schedule and leaf handling
Tender, fresh leaves fed several times a day give the best results. Practical points:
- Handle leaves with clean hands or tools to avoid bringing in pathogens. Discard dusty, mouldy or insect‑damaged leaves.
- Feed appropriately sized leaf pieces for the larval stage — very young larvae need tiny, soft pieces; increase quantity and size as they grow.
- Keep feeding intervals regular so worms never run short of fresh leaves; starvation stresses larvae and increases disease risk.
Common silkworm problems and practical fixes
- Grasserie (viral): rapid onset of diseased worms, often sticky with serous fluid. Prevention is through seed sourcing and strict hygiene; remove and burn infected material immediately.
- Flacherie (bacterial): caused by poor sanitation and high temperatures. Improve hygiene, reduce crowding and maintain stable environmental conditions.
- Parasitic and predatory pests: ants, wasps and flies can attack. Keep the rearing house sealed and use traps; eliminate ant trails and nesting sites.
- Leaf contamination: avoid leaves collected near pesticide application. Coordinate with neighbouring farms on spray schedules and use clean collection routes.
Mounting, cocooning and harvest
- Provide suitable mountages (bamboo frames, branches or paper trays) when larvae enter the final instar and begin to wander for cocooning.
- Monitor humidity during spinning — too low and silkworms fail to spin well; too high and mould develops on cocoons.
- Harvest cocoons promptly when complete, age them as required for marketing or go to stifling and reeling if you have capacity.
Economics and scaling
Start small to master leaf‑scheduling, hygiene and handling. Grow one or two crops of worms alongside your existing farm activities, then scale up as your leaf production and handling improve. Keep records of seed lots, feed quantities, mortality and cocoon weights — practical recordkeeping quickly shows where losses occur and where improvements pay off.
Local support and next steps
Work with your district KVK, state sericulture department or an experienced local rearer. They can help with variety selection, certified DFL sources, and hands‑on training for rearing techniques and disease recognition. Regularly review soil tests, and adapt pruning and irrigation schedules to erratic seasonal rainfall.
Final practical checklist
- Choose Morus alba clones recommended locally and buy disease‑free saplings.
- Ensure reliable irrigation and conserve soil moisture with mulch and organic matter.
- Prune and schedule leaf flushes to match your rearing calendar.
- Set up a clean rearing room, control temperature/humidity and follow strict sanitation.
- Source certified silkworm seed, feed fresh tender leaves, and act fast on any disease signs.
Sericulture demands attention to detail, but with disciplined leaf production and strict hygiene, Bundelkhand growers can produce good quality cocoons. Start small, learn from each crop and use local extension services to refine variety choice and technical details.