Asian Journal of Biology

Soil and climatic condition in which mulberry is grown influences the quality of mulberry, which in return decides the quantitative and qualitative feature of cocoon yield. Mulberry being a vegetative propagated perennial crop; initial establishment is of prime importance. Vegetative propagation of mulberry by stem cuttings raised in the nurseries or by direct planting in the field is commonly practiced. The present study aimed to explore the Influence of varied proportions of vermicompost on major nutrients (N, P, K) and Economics of raising of mulberry saplings. The experiment was conducted to study the influence of different proportions of vermicompost on major nutrient contents and the economics of raising mulberry saplings. The experiment was conducted to study the performance of mulberry saplings as influenced by the different proportions of vermicompost. Different proportions of vermicompost (10%, 20%, 30% and 40% + red soil and sand) were used as treatments with control (1/3 compost + 1/3 sand + 1/3 red soil) in three varieties of mulberry cuttings (V-1, S-36 and S-13). The results revealed that in all three varieties of mulberry cuttings, treatments with 20 per cent, 30 per cent and 40 per cent vermicompost were statistically on par with each other compared to control with respect to major nutrient (N, P, K) contents followed by 10 per cent vermicompost and the least observations are recorded in the control (1/3 compost + 1/3 sand + 1/3 red soil). Considering the cost of vermicompost used, the treatments with 10 per cent vermicompost showed a higher benefit-cost ratio, followed by 20 per cent, 30 per cent and 40 per cent vermicompost treatments. Though the treatments with 20 per cent vermicompost showed a slightly lesser benefit-cost ratio, it performed better with respect to mulberry growth, yield and biochemical parameters compared to 10 per cent vermicompost and control. As the quantity of media used increases, cost of rooting media also increases in each treatment, which results in increased cost of raising mulberry saplings. But, using vermicompost as a component in rooting media resulted in significantly better shoot and root parameters, survivability, quality parameters and faster growth and development of saplings.