Mulberry Division

CSGRC at Hosur is the nodal agency for the conservation and maintenance of mulberry genetic resources in India and is recognised as National Active Germplasm Site (NAGS) for mulberry by National Bureau of Plant Genetic Resources (NBPGR), New Delhi, India under Indian National Plant Genetic resources System (IN PGRS). Mulberry Genetic Resources are important resources at the heart of sustainable mulberry production. It is a fast growing deciduous woody perennial tree that belongs to the family Moraceae. The foliage of mulberry is the sole food for monophagous insect Bombyx mori L . which produces natural silk. Hence, mulberry is one of the important components that decide the sustainability of this multibillion dollar industry. Their efficient conservation and use is critical to safeguard sericulture development now and in the future.

Presently, Mulberry Division is conserving 1317 mulberry genetic resources including 1032 indigenous and 285 exotic accessions spread over 32.40 acres of land. The exotic accessions are collected from outside the country. So far, more than 30 countries have been explored for the collection of exotic mulberry germplasm. Each accession with four plants is maintained as active germplasm collection. Also, 3 acres of core-set germplasm is conserved which are genetically diverse. In addition to this, 6 acres of leaf supply garden for the conservation of silkworm genetic resources are maintained. Since mulberry is highly heterozygous, predominantly out crossing and anemophilous pollination, the chief mode of propagation being adopted in mulberry is stem cuttings or grafting of dormant buds.  Mulberry is capable of true-to-type propagation through stem cuttings and thus, mulberry genetic resources are generally conserved in the form of ex situ field gene bank by planting stem cuttings/ saplings or by grafting onto appropriate root stocks. The rooted saplings after six months establishment in the nursery are transplanted to field gene bank.

These mulberry genetic resources are characterized and evaluated for morphology, anatomy, biochemical, propagation, growth and yield traits. The characterization and evaluation are conducted for three seasons every year. The top performing accessions for each trait are identified and updated in Mulberry Germplasm Information System (MGIS) database which is a national database. The top performing accessions could serve as better parents in future crop improvement and breeding programs. Also, the mulberry germplasm are supplied to needy indenters for R & D activities.

Scientists