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tree MULBERRY
PATCH - The Mulberry tree
Genus: Morus (Alba, Rubra and Nigra) originated in the foothills of the
Himalayas and was dedicated to the Ancients of Minerva. Sanguinoa morus
(red or rubra) was referred to by Virgil as D’arbe D’or (
Tree of Gold) and is referred to in the Bible as the Sycamore tree. The
Morus genus has more than twenty species and there are over 110 varieties
of Mulberry, which is a member of the Moracae family, an angio-sperm of
the Class: Dicotyledon; Sub-Class Urticales In tropical regions, some
mulberry varieties can grow all year-round; the ideal terrain for mulberry
cultivation will have a gradient below 15% as mechanization is practicable
and soil erosion minimal. Because of agroclimactic conditions in tropical
zones, much greater flexibility is possible in moriculture, enabling multi-cropping
to be practiced.
The practice of Applied Moriculture addresses what Secretary General
of CARICOM, Dr. Edwin Carringon refers to as “ ethical issues related
to sustainable development which assumes even greater relevance as concern
grows over the question of maintaining social as well as ecological balance
in the face of growing poverty and increased evidence of global warming
and their attendant threats to the planet. ” Moriculture, as a working
agro diversity and best practice model, offers a new hope, with realistic,
concrete steps and actions directed at different levels of society, so
affected communities may recover with dignity. The implementation of Moriculture
will promote possibilities for cooperation, an integrated approach to
development and social cohesion, and address what has been documented
in the book, “Eternal Spring” by Jef Creb, as:
• the local reality, and the slow pace with which restorative activities
are being implemented;
• growing social imbalance and instability;
• respect for cultural diversity and sustainable development of
a bio-region;
• fair trade systems and the expansion of existing natural areas.
According to studies done by Dr. Antonio Rota in a Barbadian Professional
Analysis, small ruminants dig through compost to reach mulberry discards.
Its composition of nutritional values is as follows:
Essential Amino acids in excess of 46 %
204.3oz of amino acids per gram/protein
Lignin ~ acid detergent lignin 8.1%
Leaves/bark 7.17%
Calcium 1.8 -2.4%
Phosphorus 0.14 -.24%
K Value 1.90 – 2.8% leaves
1.33 – 1.55 stem
Magnesium 0.47 - 0.63% leaves
0.26 – 0.35% stem
Nitrogen 16.6% + ammonia
Protein 6.02%
Ribulose 1.5 biphosphates carboxylase (RUBISCO)
48% total nitrogen
