Influence of application of microbial consortium on established mulberry plantation under temperate climatic conditions

Bio-fertilizers or microbial inoculants are now being increasingly and effectively used in various agriculture crops with reduced synthetic fertilizer input. The idea is not only to reduce the cost of production but also a step in raising crops organically. Field experiment conducted consecutively for two years at College of Temperate Sericulture SKUAST-K on the use of microbial consortium on established mulberry plantation of Goshoerami variety indicated significant differences among various treatments. The experiment was laid out with 13 different treatments with different levels of nitrogen and phosphorus in combination with different biofertilisers. From the pooled data of two years it was observed that treatment T₉ where only ¾ of phosphorus and nitrogen was applied registered shootlet number to the extent of 60 which was however at par with T₈ and T₁₀ recording values of 59.33 and 58.66 respectively. Longest shootlet length was also found to be highest in T₁₀ (recommended dose) viz., 39.33 which was however at par with T₇, T₈ and T₉. Total shootlet length was highest in T₈ recording a value of 2382.16 cm which was in turn at par with T₉ registering value of 2370.33 cm. Moisture percentage was highest in T₉ with a value of 74.90% being at par with T₁₀ receiving recommended dose of synthetic fertilizers without inoculation. Similar observation was recorded in moisture content after six hours being highest in T₉ viz., 55.03% but at par with T₁₀ recording value of 54.01%. The results indicate that nitrogen and phosphorus application in mulberry under temperate conditions can be reduced to 3/4 and 1/2 percent without any deleterious effect on yield.