2006 Volume 75 Issue 3 Pages 199-205
To clarify the ability of dry matter production for field-grown mulberry pruned at various heights, the relationship between dry matter production and amount of intercepted radiation was investigated in a mulberry field. Two cultivars, ‘Senshin’ and ‘Shin-ichinose’, were planted in 2000. The experiment was conducted from 2001 to 2003. All experimental plots were pruned at the base in late May. ‘Senshin’ plots 50, 80, and 110 and ‘Shin-ichinose’ plots 50 and 110 were cut in early October at 50, 80, 110, 50 and 110cm height from the stumps, respectively. ‘Senshin’ plot 40/80 was cut in late July to 40cm in height and in early October to 80cm in height. The higher the cutting height became, the higher intercepted radiation became. After cutting in October, the amount of intercepted radiation was the most in the 40/80 plot of ‘Senshin’. The higher the cutting height became, the more the shoot yield during the experimental period became. The sum of three years' yield of young shoots of plot 40/80 in May and of leaves in July and October were as much as those of the 50 and 80 ‘Senshin’ plots. The higher the cutting height became, the more all dry matter production during the experimental period became, and a significant difference at the 5% level was detected in the ‘Senshin’ cultivar. Dry matter of the stump and root was also the highest in 110 plots. Dry matter of the stump and root of the 40/80 plot was more than those of the 50 and 80 plots. The relationship between the amount of intercepted solar radiation and dry matter increment in the experimental period was linear.
