Abstract

MEDINA, Maria G et al. Initial evaluation of mulberry (Morus  alba L.) in nursery conditions. Zootecnia Trop. [online]. 2007, vol.25, n.1, pp.43-49. ISSN 0798-7269.

An experiment was carried out in order to evaluate the time of evaluation and length, diameter and bud number in M. alba L. Criolla variety during nursery stage in the "Rafael Rangel" Experimental Station in Trujillo state, Venezuela. The experiment was designed as a factorial design: 8 (time of measure) x 3 (stake length) x 3 (stake diameter) x 3 (bud number) with five replications. The measured variables were: height of plants, regrowth, and branches numbers, length and diameter of the branches, leaves number per branch, survival, growth rate, and existing plagues and illnesses. Plant height, numbers of growth, numbers of branches, branch length, stake diameter, leaves per branch and growth rate showed significant differences among treatments (P<0.05). The rest of variables were similar. It is recommended that under experimental conditions, to use the length of stakes between 30-40 cm, with a diameter between 3.0-3.9 cm, and with 3 our 4 buds per stake, in order to have a successful establishment of this plant after the sixth week of being planted.

Keywords : mulberry; Morus alba; establishment; nursery; stake.