Morus alba, Linn, |
(Syn. M. indica) |
Family : Moraceae |
Common Name : White Mulberry |
Telugu Name : Reshma Chettu |
General : |
Generally cultivated in gardens. It is indegenous to China. |
Flowering : |
March to June. |
Fruiting : |
June to August. |
Morphology of the Fruit / Seed : |
Fruit is dark-purple, compound berry, consisting of the succulent perianths, each enclosing a 1-seeded carpel. Seed is very minute. |
Seed Collection and Storage : |
Ripe fruits are collected from the trees (never from the ground since fruits are generally insect-attacked) in May-June; rubbed or kneaded in successive waterings, dried in the sun and winnowed. Dry seed mixed with ash or sand in stored in sealed tins. Viability is retained for two years. |
Seed Biology : |
No. of seeds per Kg. |
Germination percentage |
Plant percent |
No. of seedlings per Kg. of seed |
4,50,000 |
10 |
7 to 10 |
40,000 |
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Pretreatment : |
Stratification of seed in moist sand for 30 to 40 days; or soaking in cold water mixed with camphor for a week. Dipping the seed in kerosene oil protects it against insects.
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Nursery Technique : |
The pretreated seeds mixed with ash or saw-dust, are put in lines, 20 cms apart. In May-June transplanting is essential when stock is required for plantation in refractory areas where 15 months old plants are planted.
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