Efficient propagation is the prime act of any farming and plays vital role in its existence, survival and continuity in future course of action. Mulberry (Morus alba L.) being perennial in nature cultivated as seasonal crop for its foliage to feed silkworm (Bombyx mori L.) is mainly propagated through vegetatively and plays major role on the upliftment and socio economic conditions of the sericulturists. Therefore, proficient method of propagation not only saves farmers economy but also plays pivotal role on the future of sericulture. Keeping the above aspects a pilot study was undertaken at Regional Sericultural Research Station, Central Silk Board, Kodathi, Bangalore during 2016-17 to evaluate the influence of clonal mulberry saplings and their prospects and problems on the future of mulberry cultivation. Field trails undertaken with V1 mulberry variety raising clonal and traditional (bed) saplings resulted that 93.5% sprouting of clonal saplings was recorded compared to 87.0% in the traditional method. Survival of clonal mulberry saplings were more (88.2%) over traditional practice (76.2%) recording 13.32% increase. Similar trend of improvement in case of aerial plant growth, no. of tillers, shoot biomass, root length, no. of rootlets and root biomass among clonal mulberry saplings indicating their superiority over the saplings raised through traditional method. The above results not only open new avenues of its utilization for the benefit of the farming community but also with multifaceted benefits viz. consumes less time to generate healthy and fully established with profusely rooted saplings with minimized drudgery of manpower use, assured establishment, easy to transport and transplant with assured survival after plantation and efficient technology for popularization of improved mulberry verities in large scale generating a ray of hope for brighter future of sericulture farming.
