EFFECT OF FOLIAR APPLICATION OF METHANOL ON GROWTH AND LEAF YIELD IN MULBERRY (MORUS ALBA L.)

Abstract

An experiment was conducted at Central Sericultural Research and Training Institute, Berhampore (West Bengal) during 2006-2007 to find the effect of methanol on growth, leaf yield and quality of mulberry. The mulberry plants were sprayed with methanol in 3 different concentrations. First foliar spray was given after 15 days of pruning on newly emerged leaves while second spray was done after 30 days of pruning. Significant positive influence of aqueous methanol (5,10 &15 percent) on improved mulberry varieties viz, S-1635 and S-1 was observed in most of the yield attributing parameters. Application of methanol significantly increased number of leaves per plant and leaf drynand fresh weight in both the cultivars significantly at all the 3 concentrations.