What Are the Ideal Conditions and Practices for Moriculture?
We all like to wear silk clothes on different occasions. The colour, strength, and quality of silk dresses are amazing. But from where is this silk produced, and what is actually silk? Silk is a naturally occurring protein fibre. In order to produce silk hence we need to culture silkworms. The food of silkworms is mulberry leaves. The cultivation of mulberry plants in order to feed the silkworm is known as moriculture. In this topic, we are discussing all the aspects of moriculture like the climatic condition, harvesting techniques etc.
What is Moriculture?
Moriculture is the cultivation of mulberry plants in order to feed silkworms. Because silkworms eat only mulberry leaves. There are 20 species of mulberry known worldwide. Mulberry plants are mainly propagated by stem cutting. Other ways of propagation of mulberry plants are by root graft or by seeds. The length of the mulberry stem to be cut is around 23 to 24cm, and also it should contain 3 to 4 buds in each stem. These stems are planted directly in the field. Once these stems mature, pruning is carried out regularly. Pruning helps in the growth induction and sprouting of new shoots.
For moriculture approximately 4 lakh hectares of farmland are used, and each hectare yields 12,000 t0 15,000 kg of mulberry leaves. Due to the advancement of agricultural technologies now, the yield is quite high. China is the highest producer of mulberry plants and hence silk.
Ideal Climatic Conditions For Moriculture
Mulberries can grow both under temperature and in tropical regions. The ideal climatic condition for the high yield production of mulberry are
Atmospheric Temperature: In tropical regions, mulberry can be produced all through the year. In under-temperature regions, mulberry production takes place during the month of May to October. The atmospheric temperature should be in the range of 24 to 370c.
Rainfall: The ideal rainfall for moriculture is 600 to 2500mm.
Atmospheric Humidity: Approximately 60 to 80% of humidity is necessary for better production of mulberry leaves.
Sunshine: In tropical regions, around 5 to 6 hours of sunshine is required for mulberry plants. In under-temperature regions, this may vary up to 9 to 13 hours per day.
Soil Conditions For Moriculture
The Ph of the soil should range from 6.5 to 7. The soil contains all the essential major and minor nutrients for the growth of mulberry plants. There should be high oxygen content for root respiration. The soil should provide good anchor strength for the roots of mulberry plants. Clay and loamy soils are suitable for moriculture. Because these are porous soils which can hold sufficient amounts of water and have an anchoring depth of 30 to 35 Cm.
Planting Conditions Of Moriculture
Mulberry plants are always planted near the rearing house. It makes transportation of mulberry leaves easy. After harvesting the leaves, they should immediately give them to the silkworms. When the land selects, it should be levelled. The Levelling method depends on the topography of the land. Levelling increases the fertility of the soil. The early spring and late autumn seasons are suitable for mulberry planting. Planting in the summer and winter seasons should be avoidable. In the temperate region, mulberry can be planted in any direction but in the under-temperature region, planting should be in the direction of the intensity of light and wind direction. The planting distance depends on the climatic conditions and soil fertility.
Pruning of Mulberry Leaf
Pruning is a judicious way of removing unwanted branches of mulberry plants. Pruning improves the quality and yield of leaves. It gives proper size and shape to the plant, and after pruning, harvesting of leaves and inter-cultivation of plants is easy.
Harvesting Of Mulberry Leaf
Harvesting mulberry leaves is a time-bound task. When the leaves become matured, the nutritional value might be lost. Partially matured mulberry leaves have higher nutritional content. Smaller silkworms eat tender leaves, while older silkworms will eat relatively matured mulberry leaves. The most common harvesting methods are harvesting leaves by hand picking or by stem cutting.
Harvesting of mulberry leaves by leaf picking: This is the common harvesting method practised in India. In this method, each leaf is picked from an individual mulberry plant. This method is highly time-consuming and requires a lot of labour. The harvested leaf should be immediately transferred to the rearing house without losing the moisture content of the leaf. Leaf picking starts after 10 days of bottom pruning. Subsequent picking is done at 7 to 8 weeks intervals.
Harvesting by branch cutting: In a branch, cutting leaves are harvested by cutting the entire branch. This method has a lot of advantages over the former one. Like
Cutting the entire branch is easy. It is much more cost-efficient and saves time. It does not require a large group of labourers as in leaf picking.
Since the leaf is still attached to the branches after harvesting. The freshness of leaves lasts for a longer duration.
Leaves harvested by this method are so easy to feed by the silkworm
The preservation and maintenance of leaves are also easy.
The important advantage is that the wastage of mulberry leaves can be reduced.
Interesting Facts
Silk originated in ancient China in 3630 BC.
Silkworms consume 50 times their weight in mulberry leaves.
Mulberry leaves are good antioxidants good for human health
Mulberry leaves in the form of tea powder are a good natural supplement.
Key Features
The cultivation of mulberry leaves is called moriculture
Leaf picking and branch cutting are harvesting techniques for mulberry leaves
Pruning improves harvesting and quality of leaf
A sufficient amount of temperature and a soil Ph of 6.5 to 7 is needed for moriculture.
FAQs on Moriculture in Biology: Complete Guide with Key Benefits
1. What is moriculture?
Moriculture is the specialised branch of agriculture that involves the cultivation of mulberry plants (species of the genus Morus). The primary purpose of moriculture is to produce high-quality mulberry leaves, which serve as the sole food source for silkworms (Bombyx mori) in the practice of sericulture.
2. What is the main difference between moriculture and sericulture?
Moriculture and sericulture are interconnected but distinct processes. The key difference is:
Moriculture is the agricultural practice of growing mulberry plants.
Sericulture is the entire process of producing silk, which includes moriculture (growing feed), rearing silkworms, and reeling silk from cocoons.
Essentially, moriculture is the essential first step and foundation for successful sericulture.
3. What are the ideal climatic conditions for growing mulberry plants?
Mulberry plants are adaptable but thrive best under specific conditions. The ideal climate for moriculture includes:
Temperature: A range of 24°C to 28°C is considered optimal for healthy leaf growth.
Rainfall: An annual rainfall of about 900 mm to 1500 mm, well-distributed throughout the year, is ideal.
Humidity: An atmospheric humidity of 65% to 80% supports lush foliage.
Sunshine: Bright sunshine for 5 to 6 hours a day is necessary for photosynthesis and biomass production.
4. What type of soil is best for moriculture?
The best soil for moriculture is deep, fertile, and well-drained, with good moisture-holding capacity. Clayey loam to loamy soils are generally preferred. The soil should be slightly acidic to neutral, with a pH ranging from 6.2 to 6.8. Proper aeration is crucial for root development, so heavily compacted soil is not suitable.
5. What is the importance of moriculture in the silk industry?
Moriculture is fundamentally important to the silk industry because the quality and quantity of mulberry leaves directly impact the entire silk production cycle. Its importance includes:
Silkworm Nutrition: It provides the essential nutrients for silkworms to grow, develop, and spin high-quality cocoons.
Cocoon Yield: Healthier leaves lead to healthier worms, resulting in a higher yield of cocoons.
Silk Quality: The nutritional content of the leaves influences the thickness, length, and strength of the silk filament.
Economic Foundation: It forms the economic base for millions of farmers involved in the sericulture sector.
6. Why is pruning an essential practice in moriculture?
Pruning is an essential practice in moriculture because it directly stimulates the growth of new, tender leaves, which are preferred by silkworms. It is typically done in the late winter when the plant is dormant. The primary objectives are to maintain the plant in a vegetative state, shape it into a low bush for easy harvesting, and maximise the yield of high-quality leaves for the upcoming silkworm rearing seasons.
7. What are some common methods of mulberry propagation in moriculture?
In moriculture, mulberry plants can be propagated through several methods. The most common techniques are:
Stem Cuttings: This is the most widely used vegetative method, where cuttings from mature stems are planted to grow into new plants. It is efficient and ensures the new plants have the same genetic traits as the parent.
Grafting: This involves joining a part of a high-yielding variety (scion) onto the rootstock of a hardy, locally adapted variety.
Seed Propagation: This method is typically used by breeders to develop new mulberry varieties, as it leads to genetic variation.
8. How does moriculture contribute to rural employment and the environment?
Moriculture plays a significant role beyond just silk production. It is a labour-intensive activity involving planting, irrigation, weeding, and harvesting, which generates substantial employment opportunities in rural areas, especially for women. Environmentally, mulberry plantations help in preventing soil erosion, improving soil fertility through leaf litter decomposition, and acting as a green cover that contributes to carbon sequestration.
9. What are some major diseases that affect mulberry plants?
Mulberry plants are susceptible to various diseases that can reduce leaf yield and quality. Some major diseases include:
Powdery Mildew: A fungal disease that appears as white powdery patches on leaves, making them unsuitable for feeding silkworms.
Leaf Spot: Caused by fungi, resulting in brown or black spots on leaves, which reduces the photosynthetic area.
Leaf Rust: Characterised by reddish-brown pustules on the underside of leaves, which can lead to premature defoliation.
Root Rot: A serious disease that affects the root system, causing the plant to wilt and eventually die.
