Integrating organic fertilizer strategies for optimizing mulberry crop production and soil health resilience: A pathway to sustainable agriculture

Abstract Concerns regarding the detrimental effects of synthetic fertilizers on soil quality and environmental sustainability have emphasized the necessity of integrating organic fertilization strategies into crop management. This research work evaluates the effects of various organic fertilizers specifically cow dung and vermicompost, both individually and in combination with recommended NPK on the growth, yield, and leaf quality of three mulberry ( Morus alba L.) varieties, along with an assessment of soil health and microbial characteristics. Field experiments demonstrated that combined organic treatments, particularly T8 (cow dung + vermicompost), significantly enhanced mulberry leaf yield (up to 116.6 t ha −1 year −1 ), chlorophyll content, and soluble proteins when compared to conventional NPK fertilization. Soil quality also improved, with increased levels of total carbon, nitrogen, and available phosphorus observed under organic treatments, as well as elevated soil enzyme activities and microbial biomass. Phospholipid fatty acid (PLFA) profiling indicated a rise in microbial diversity in organic plots, with the very first identification of beneficial bacterial strains ( Rossellomorea marisflavi , Arthrobacter spp., Priestia megaterium , and Bacillus marisflavi ) in the sericultural field, further supporting the role of organic amendments in promoting plant growth. Overall, the findings underscore the advantages of organic fertilization in enhancing mulberry productivity and restoring soil health, presenting a sustainable approach to sericulture practices.