Effect of seed rates on seed germination and seedling growth of Mulberry (Morus sp.)

956-960Mulberry (Morus sp.) is a fast growing, deciduous, woody perennial plant, usually pollinated by wind (anemophily). Morus sp. produces seed which is used to raise seedlings to be used for root grafting, whereas scion of an improved variety is grafted over the rootstock got through seedling raising. Seed rate is an important parameter that decides population of plants per unit area with optimum exposure to sunlight, proper space, aeration, and nutrition. In this study, we tried to find the optimum seed rate in mulberry for raising of quality seedlings under Kashmir climatic conditions. The investigation was carried out at College of Temperate Sericulture, Mirgund, SKUAST- Kashmir, wherein different seed rates were tested for seedling raising in mulberry. Amongst different seed rates tested, treatment T3 wherein 28 seeds were sown per square foot was at par with treatments T1 and T2 having 20 and 24 seeds per sq. foot, respectively. The study indicated that 20-28 seeds per square foot could be successfully adopted for raising of quality seedlings