Mulberry fruit cultivation (table berry)

Mulberry (Morus spp.) is best known in India as the host plant for the silkworm Bombyx mori, but table-fruit Morus nigra (Kali Shahtoot) and select Morus alba/indica lines are increasingly grown for fresh berries, jam, wine and dried fruit.

Key characteristics

• Mandate Institute: CSRTI Mysore (Central Sericultural Research and Training Institute)
• Varieties: Kanva-2 (1969), S-30, S-36, S-54, MR-2, Victoria-1
• Fruit Types: Morus nigra (Kali Shahtoot), Morus alba, Morus indica
• Berry Price: Rs 120-300/kg organic retail

Cultivation and adoption

CSRTI Mysore has bred high-yielding clones S-30 (35,000 kg/ha leaf), S-36 (40-42,000 kg/ha), S-54 (46,000 kg/ha) and the older Kanva-2 (1969 release) primarily for sericulture, while organic growers report fresh berry prices of Rs 120-300/kg for Kali Shahtoot in metro retail.

References

1. Mulberry cultivation and utilization in India - FAO. https://www.fao.org/4/X9895E/x9895e04.htm
2. Mulberry varieties - Karnataka Sericulture. https://www.karnataka.gov.in/Sericulture/english/Pages/Mulberry-varieties.aspx