Intercultural Operations and Their Long-Term Impacts on Soil Carbon Sequestration and Sustainability in Mulberry Ecosystems

Mulberry (Morus alba L.) is the primary host plant for the silkworm Bombyx mori and forms the foundation of the global sericulture industry. Sustainable mulberry cultivation has become increasingly important due to declining soil fertility, soil degradation, and the growing need to mitigate climate change. Soil organic carbon (SOC) plays a vital role in maintaining soil fertility, improving soil structure, enhancing microbial activity, and supporting long-term agricultural sustainability. Intercultural operations practiced in mulberry cultivation—including tillage, weed management, mulching, pruning, irrigation management, organic manure application, and integrated nutrient management—significantly influence soil carbon dynamics and ecosystem stability. These practices regulate biomass production, residue incorporation, root turnover, and microbial activity, which are key processes responsible for soil carbon sequestration. Mulberry plantations, owing to their perennial growth habit and continuous biomass production, contribute substantial organic residues to the soil through leaf litter, root biomass, and pruning materials. Sustainable management practices such as conservation tillage, organic mulching, residue recycling, and organic nutrient management enhance soil organic carbon accumulation and promote soil aggregation and microbial diversity. Mulberry-based agroforestry and intercropping systems further improve carbon storage by increasing biomass input and strengthening nutrient cycling processes. Long-term adoption of these intercultural practices improves soil physical, chemical, and biological properties, enhances carbon sequestration potential, and supports climate change mitigation. This review summarizes the mechanisms of soil carbon sequestration in mulberry ecosystems and evaluates the role of intercultural operations in improving soil health, productivity, and sustainability of mulberry-based sericulture systems.