SIGNIFICANCE OF REELING WASTE WATER ON THE BIOMETRIC TRAITS OF MULBERRY (MORUS SP.).

The article investigates the effects of reeling waste water—effluent generated from silk cocoon reeling—on the biometric traits of two high-yielding mulberry (Morus sp.) varieties, V1 and G4. Conducted as a pot culture experiment in Tamil Nadu, India, mulberry cuttings were irrigated with varying concentrations of reeling waste water mixed with tap water, and growth parameters such as sprouting percentage, shoot length, number of leaves, branches, and root traits were recorded over 90 days. Results indicate that irrigation with 25% reeling waste water combined with 75% tap water (T2) significantly enhanced sprouting and growth traits compared to higher concentrations or tap water alone, while 100% reeling waste water reduced growth likely due to excess nutrient levels and water quality issues such as high biological and chemical oxygen demand. The study concludes that diluted reeling waste water can serve as a nutrient-rich irrigation source promoting mulberry propagation, with the G4 variety showing a better response than V1.