Influence of hydrogel and graded levels of fertigation on growth and productivity of mulberry

A field experiment was carried out to study the influence of hydrogel and graded levels of fertigation on growth and productivity of mulberry during 2025. The experiment was laid out in Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD) with eight treatment combinations and three replications, observations were recorded at 30, 45 and 60 days after pruning (DAP). Pooled data of two crops for the eight treatments were analyzed. Among all the treatments, T₆ - 100% RDNK through fertigation + Zeba hydrogel @ 6 kg ac^-1 showed maximum shoot length (116.44, 153.51 and 191.42 cm, respectively), number of shoots per plant (19.85, 20.73 and 22.73 no., respectively), number of leaves per shoot (21.43, 26.45 and 32.44 no., respectively) and leaf area (93.43, 148.87 and 190.04 cm², respectively). The leaf yield at 60 DAP recorded 40.58 t ha⁻¹ yr⁻¹ under the same treatment. Water productivity was found highest in mulberry plots laid out with 100% RDNK through fertigation + Zeba hydrogel @ 6 kg ac^-1 (T₆) found to be 611.61 kg per ha cm along with water used to produce per kg of leaf was recorded to be 163.5 L. When compared to control plot 21.43 per cent of water was effectively saved using 100% RDNK through fertigation + Zeba hydrogel @ 6 kg ac^-1 (T₆).