Abstract

Improving efficiencies of water and nutrients is considered as most vital factor for augmenting mulberry productivity. In this study, low-cost drip fertigation (LCDF) systems were evaluated on leaf yield, quality, water use efficiency (WUE) and nutrient use efficiency (NUE) utilizing 12 year-old S1635 mulberry plantation. Treatments were drip tape and drum-kit drip fertigation in different quanta of Recommended Dose (at 50%, 75% & 100%; RD: 67 kg N, 36 kg P₂O₅ and 22 kg K₂O ha⁻¹ crop⁻¹). A plot with surface irrigation at 100% RD was maintained as control. Fertigation of 100% RD produced best results in terms of growth, leaf yield and quality, but is statistically at par with 75% RD fertigation under LCDF. Fertigation of 75% RD through LCDF increased the leaf yield by 26% and leaf quality by 56% (TSP: Total soluble protein) and 28% (TSS: Total soluble sugar) as compared to control. LCDF reduced water requirement by 24% resulting in increased WUE (61%) and NUE (63%). Fertigation at 75% RD could be the optimal quantum for sustainable mulberry leaf production in Eastern India; might equally be the climate-smart-sericulture option for economically poor and marginal stakeholders.

摘要

水分和养分效率的提高被认为是提高桑树生产力的最重要因素。在这项研究中，使用12年生S1635桑树人工林评估了低成本滴灌施肥（LCDF）系统的叶片产量，质量，水分利用效率（WUE）和养分利用效率（NUE）。处理方法是在推荐剂量的不同数量范围内使用滴灌带和鼓式工具滴灌施肥（分别为50％，75％和100％； RD：67 kg N，36 kg P ₂ O ₅和22 kg K ₂ O ha ^-1作物^{- 1个}）。保持以100％RD进行地面灌溉的地块作为对照。就生长，叶片产量和质量而言，100％RD的施肥效果最佳，但在统计学上与LCDF下75％RD的施肥相当。与对照组相比，通过LCDF施肥75％的RD使叶片产量增加了26％，叶片质量提高了56％（TSP：总可溶性蛋白）和28％（TSS：总可溶性糖）。LCDF减少了24％的需水量，从而增加了WUE（61％）和NUE（63％）。RD为75％的施肥可能是印度东部可持续桑叶生产的最佳量。对于经济上贫穷和边缘的利益相关者而言，可能同样是气候智能蚕桑的选择。