Mulberry leaf quality influenced by surface, subsurface manuring and fertilizer application in irrigated conditions of Karnataka

A field experiment was conducted for three crop cuttings of mulberry (2023-2024) in Kurburu village of Chinthamani taluk to test the effect of surface, subsurface manuring and fertilizer application on leaf quality of mulberry crop in irrigated condition. The experiment was laid out in split plot design with fourteen treatment combinations and three replications. Main plots include two different types of manuring viz., Surface manuring M1 and Subsurface manuring-M2 at 60-75 cm depth with FYM (Farm yard manure) and enriched manure. Subplots include R1-Absolute control, R2-50% RDF + FYM, R3-75% RDF + FYM, R4-100% RDF + FYM, R5-50% RDF + enriched compost, R6-75% RDF + enriched compost, R7-100% RDF + enriched compost, quality parameters leaf area, leaf area index and chlorophyll content were recorded at 30, 45 and 60 Days after pruning (DAP) for three crops. The protein content was recorded at harvest of mulberry. The results of the experiment revealed that the subsurface manuring with enriched manure recorded highest single leaf area (110.19, 156.73 and 235.90 cm2), LAI (4.53, 6.44 and 9.69), chlorophyll SPAD reading (54.53, 54.99 and 54.90), protein content (29.38, 29.64 and 31.06%) for first, second and third crops. Effect of subsurface manuring is differed from surface manuring due to direct availability of nutrients at rhizosphere zone enhance uptake of nutrients like nitrogen helps to increase leaf area, LAI, chlorophyll SPAD reading and protein content.