Effective Mulberry Plantation Systems for Maximized Leaf Yield

Mulberry (Morus spp.) is the backbone of sericulture – its leaves are the sole food for the silkworm Bombyx mori. But growing mulberry isn’t a one-size-fits-all affair. The way you set up your plantation – the type of pruning, the planting system, the spacing – directly determines how much leaf you can harvest per hectare per year. Choosing the right plantation type and planting system is one of the first and most consequential decisions a sericulture farmer makes.

Why plantation type and planting system matter 🔗

Mulberry is a fast-growing, deciduous, woody perennial plant. Left alone, it will grow into a tall tree. But for sericulture, the goal is to produce the maximum amount of quality leaf biomass at a height that’s easy to harvest. This is achieved through systematic pruning, which controls plant architecture and redirects energy into leaf production rather than vertical growth.

The plantation type refers to the form in which mulberry is maintained – bush, dwarf, or tree – based on pruning height. The planting system refers to the spatial arrangement of plants in the field – pit system, row system, or paired row system. Together, these two choices determine planting density, leaf yield potential, harvesting method, and overall labour requirements.

Types of mulberry plantation 🔗

Mulberry plantations are broadly classified into three types depending on the height at which the plant is pruned. Each type suits different agro-climatic conditions, irrigation levels, and management capacities.

Bush-type plantation 🔗

In bush-type plantations, mulberry plants are pruned close to the ground level, typically at a height of 15-30 cm. This forces the plant to produce multiple lateral shoots from the base, resulting in a bushy growth habit. Bush plantations are the most common form of mulberry cultivation in tropical South India, particularly in Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, and Andhra Pradesh.

The key advantage of the bush system is higher leaf yield per unit area. Because plants are pruned low and spaced closely, this system accommodates a large number of plants per hectare. Under irrigated conditions in South India, bush plantations of improved varieties like S-36 or Victoria-1 (V-1) can produce anywhere from 38 to 70 tonnes of leaf per hectare per year. The V-1 variety, developed by the Central Sericultural Research and Training Institute (CSRTI), Mysore, is especially notable for its high sprouting ability and yield potential under assured irrigation.

Bush-type plantations also simplify leaf harvesting. Since the shoots grow close to the ground, farmers can use the whole shoot harvest method, cutting branches at ground level at intervals of 10-12 weeks. This method reduces labour costs compared to individual leaf picking.

Dwarf-type plantation 🔗

Dwarf plantations are maintained at a medium height, typically between 60 cm and 90 cm. The plant is allowed to develop a short trunk before being pruned to encourage branching. This form is common in sub-tropical and temperate regions where mulberry is cultivated under irrigated or semi-irrigated conditions.

The dwarf form strikes a balance between leaf yield and ease of management. It produces fewer shoots than the bush form but the shoots tend to be thicker with larger leaves. The pruning height of 40-60 cm (sometimes referred to as middle pruning) is practised after bottom pruning during the first year. This allows the plant to develop a sturdy framework that supports vigorous regrowth season after season.

Dwarf plantations are particularly suited to regions like Assam and parts of West Bengal, where mulberry is grown under both rainfed and irrigated conditions. They are also used in Kashmir and Himachal Pradesh where varieties like Goshoerami and China White are maintained as dwarf trees, yielding approximately 15-22 tonnes of leaf per hectare per year depending on the variety.

Tree-type plantation 🔗

In tree-type plantations, mulberry is allowed to grow tall – typically pruned once a year at a height of 5 to 6 feet (150-180 cm) from the ground level. The plant develops a distinct trunk and a crown of 8-10 shoots. This form is most suitable for semi-arid, rainfed areas, hilly terrain, and denuded or wasteland where irrigation is not available.

Tree plantations are spaced much wider – commonly at 6 feet × 6 feet or even 8 feet × 8 feet – to allow each plant adequate space for root and canopy development. The leaf is harvested 3-4 times a year by the leaf-picking method (plucking individual leaves), since the shoots are too high and thick for shoot harvesting.

While tree plantations produce lower yields compared to bush plantations – roughly 6 to 8 tonnes of leaf per hectare per year under rainfed conditions – they have distinct advantages. They are sustainable under water-scarce conditions, their deep root systems prevent soil erosion, and the wider spacing allows farmers to grow intercrops such as pulses and vegetables for additional income. Tree mulberry also supports agro-forestry models, combining ecological benefits like carbon sequestration with economic returns from silk and intercrop production.

Planting systems in mulberry cultivation 🔗

Once you’ve decided on the plantation type, the next critical decision is the planting system – how saplings or cuttings are arranged in the field. In South India, two primary systems are followed: the pit system and the row system. A third variation, the paired row system, is also gaining popularity.

Pit system 🔗

The pit system is the traditional method of mulberry planting. Pits of 30 × 30 × 30 cm (or sometimes 35 × 35 × 35 cm) are dug at predetermined spacing across the field. Each pit is filled with loose soil mixed with farmyard manure (FYM) before planting. According to Tamil Nadu Agricultural University’s sericulture portal, about 1 kg of FYM per pit is recommended at the time of planting.

The standard spacing for the pit system is 90 × 90 cm under both irrigated and rainfed conditions, accommodating roughly 12,345 plants per hectare. In rainfed areas, three stakes (cuttings with 5-6 healthy buds) are planted per pit in a triangular arrangement with 15 cm spacing between them, keeping only one bud exposed above the soil surface. If saplings are used instead of cuttings, one sapling per pit is sufficient.

The pit system is the only system recommended for rainfed conditions because the wider spacing allows for better root development and moisture conservation. It also permits intercultivation using bullock-drawn ploughs, which reduces weeding costs. In hilly areas where the land is sloping, the pit system is preferred because it involves minimal land disturbance compared to preparing ridges and furrows across the entire field.

Under the pit system, pruning is done at a height of 8-10 cm above the ground in wider spacing, and leaf harvesting is done primarily by the leaf-picking method. Pruning is typically carried out once in June and again in November.

Row system 🔗

The row system is designed for irrigated and high-rainfall areas where intensive cultivation is possible. In this system, ridges and furrows are prepared across the field, and cuttings or saplings are planted along the ridges. The spacing between rows is wider than the spacing between plants within a row.

Common spacing for the row system is 60 × 60 cm under irrigated conditions, which accommodates approximately 27,780 plants per hectare – more than double the density of the pit system at 90 × 90 cm spacing. In some areas, the spacing between plants within a row is as close as 10-15 cm, while the inter-row distance is maintained at 30-45 cm.

The row system offers several advantages over the pit system for irrigated farms. The ridges and furrows serve as efficient irrigation channels, ensuring uniform water distribution. During heavy rainfall, the furrows double as drainage channels, preventing waterlogging. The closer spacing maximises the number of plants per hectare, which translates to significantly higher leaf yields.

With the row system, pruning is done at 3-8 cm above ground level, and the primary harvesting method is whole shoot harvesting. Shoots are harvested at intervals of 10-12 weeks, allowing 5-6 harvests per year. This method saves labour (up to 40% according to some estimates) and reduces moisture loss from harvested leaves since they remain attached to the branch during transport.

Paired row system 🔗

The paired row system is a modification that combines the benefits of both the pit and row systems. Here, two rows are planted close together (with 60 cm spacing between them), separated by a wider gap of 150 cm from the next pair of rows. Within each row, plants are spaced at 60 cm. The standard notation for this spacing is (90 + 150) cm × 60 cm.

The wider gap between pairs of rows allows for mechanised intercultivation, drip irrigation installation, and intercropping. At the same time, the closely planted rows within each pair ensure high plant density and good leaf yields. This system is increasingly being recommended by institutions like CSRTI, Mysore, for irrigated plantations in South India.

Kolar system 🔗

A specialised planting system originating from Kolar district in Karnataka, this is essentially a modified row system with very close spacing. The distance between rows is kept at 30-45 cm and that between plants is just 10-15 cm. Plants are pruned at ground level every time, receiving up to five prunings per year. This intensive system demands heavy fertilisation and regular irrigation but can deliver high leaf yields in a small area. It is practised mainly by experienced farmers in the traditional sericulture belt of Karnataka.

Irrigated vs. rainfed mulberry cultivation 🔗

The choice between plantation types and planting systems is closely linked to water availability. Here’s how the two conditions compare:

Irrigated conditions: Supplementary irrigation is provided when rainfall is insufficient. Farmers can choose the pit system (90 × 90 cm spacing) or the row system (60 × 60 cm spacing), or the paired row system. Under irrigation, improved varieties like S-36 can yield 38-45 tonnes per hectare per year, while V-1 can reach up to 60-70 tonnes per hectare per year. The recommended NPK dose for irrigated conditions is typically 300:120:120 kg/ha/year (for the row system) or 280:120:120 kg/ha/year (for the pit system), applied in split doses across multiple harvests.

Rainfed conditions: Cultivation depends entirely on rainfall, typically in areas receiving 500-800 mm annually. Only the pit system with 90 × 90 cm spacing is recommended. Varieties like Kanva-2, S-13, and S-34 are suited to these conditions. Leaf yields are considerably lower – Kanva-2 gives 10-12 tonnes/ha/year, while S-13 and S-34 can produce 14-15 tonnes/ha/year. The fertiliser dose is also lower at 100:50:50 kg NPK/ha/year, applied in two doses coinciding with the south-west and north-east monsoons.

Plant density and its impact on leaf yield 🔗

There is a direct relationship between planting density and leaf yield – up to a point. Higher density (closer spacing) means more plants per hectare, which generally leads to more leaf biomass. However, overcrowding can reduce individual plant vigour, increase disease incidence, and make intercultivation difficult.

In the row system at 60 × 60 cm, the density of roughly 27,780 plants/ha produces more total leaf than the pit system at 90 × 90 cm with 12,345 plants/ha. But this higher density requires more water, more fertiliser, and more intensive management. For rainfed farms, lower density is not just a recommendation – it’s a necessity, because each plant needs a larger root zone to access limited soil moisture.

For tree plantations at 8 × 8 feet spacing, the density drops further, but the trade-off is sustainability under harsh conditions. As a research document from ScienceDirect notes, mulberry’s adaptability across different cultivation forms – from dense bushes to widely spaced trees – makes it a remarkably versatile plant for varied agro-climatic zones.

Choosing the right system for your conditions 🔗

The best plantation system depends on several factors: your region’s rainfall, access to irrigation, soil type, terrain, labour availability, and the mulberry variety you intend to grow. Here’s a quick guide:

If you have assured irrigation and flat, fertile land in tropical South India, the row system or paired row system with bush-type pruning will give you the highest leaf yields. Use high-yielding varieties like V-1 or S-36.

If you’re in a rainfed area with moderate rainfall (500-800 mm), go with the pit system at 90 × 90 cm spacing and bush or dwarf-type maintenance. Choose drought-tolerant varieties like S-13 or S-34.

If your land is hilly, sloping, or degraded, tree-type plantations with wide pit spacing (6 × 6 or 8 × 8 feet) are your best option. The deep root system stabilises the soil, and you can supplement your income through intercropping.

If you’re in a temperate or sub-temperate zone (such as Kashmir or Himachal Pradesh), dwarf or bush maintenance under irrigated conditions works best with varieties like Goshoerami or Chak Majra.

Key takeaways 🔗

Mulberry plantation systems are not arbitrary – they are carefully designed responses to local environmental conditions. Bush plantations in South India maximise leaf output under intensive irrigated management. Tree plantations sustain sericulture in rain-scarce and hilly areas. The pit system serves rainfed and hilly farms, while the row and paired row systems push productivity higher where water and inputs are plentiful. Getting this foundation right at the time of garden establishment sets the trajectory for years of productive mulberry cultivation and healthy silkworm rearing.

What do you think? If you had to establish a mulberry garden today, which combination of plantation type and planting system would best suit your local conditions – and how would you balance leaf yield goals with the resources available to you?

References

1. https://www.fao.org/4/x9895e/x9895e04.htm
2. https://indiaagronet.com/indiaagronet/sericulture/contents/mori.htm
3. https://sericulture.assam.gov.in/portlet-innerpage/mulberry-cultivation-and-management
4. https://silkwormmori.blogspot.com/2010/06/package-of-practices-for-mulberry.html
5. https://agritech.tnau.ac.in/sericulture/seri_mulberry%20cultivation.html
6. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S266671932030011X